In preparation for our new goats, Lowell has been working very hard to build their stalls!

First, shown below is the unfinished buck stall. The doe stall (done) is built the same way but because it was already bedded at the time I took these photos, you can't tell. :)   OK, it's a mess and filled with junk and the ceiling isn't done yet, but you get the idea.  Lowell had already put everything away for the night by the time I headed out with the camera.

The walls are sheathed in OSB for a smooth, flush surface for safety but underneath they are studded with good support to keep bucks from tearing down the wall to get to their girls.  ;)   The outer walls of the stalls are solid 2" x 8" lumber for strength, safety, and warmth.  Each stall measures just over 6' wide by 12' deep by 6' tall with the dropped ceiling. The doe stall (finished) is on the right.  With the dropped ceiling in, there is now storage space above, as suggested.

As shown on the finished doe stall, there is a dutch door up front with greenhouse glazing to let light in all year 'round, as well as provide access to an outdoor run and fresh air. The buck stall will get the same.

Each stall has a raised floor with rubber mats and the doe stall already has deep bedding. The ceiling is dropped to about 6'.

We've also installed a small, heavy-duty, chainlink "window" that is about 4' x 4' at the front of the stall where the bucks and does will be able to socialize, when permitted. We still need to install the drop-down door (similar to those often found in chicken coops or on doggy doors) to close off contact when needed.

We just need to hang the lights, the feeders, the buckets, and the door latches on the doe side and we're all set.  :)

Now here are the girls enjoying their new space!!

The new stall was noticeably warmer than outside the first night, even when there was no breeze outside! We were surprised at how warm, in fact, even with the little chainlink "window" open to the next stall that still has an open ceiling and front! We are thrilled with how well it is protecting the goats at this early stage. Here's hoping the high performance holds through the winter!

Here is Butterscotch:

Here she is again enjoying a lovely chin scratch. What a character! Definitely a lap goat.

Here is Waiting:

Waiting isn't quite sure of the new surroundings yet but within a few hours she was already starting to come around.  She practically RAN to the milk stand tonight, even though she's been milked only once daily the past several weeks and it was a few hours earlier than when she would be normally due for a 12-hour milking.  We're moving their schedule to an earlier time starting tonight and tomorrow, with twice daily milkings so it will take a little adjustment.  Both goats seem to be on board, though - Butterscotch even JUMPED up onto the milk stand before Heather was ready for her to be up there!

You can see that we allowed the girls to keep their large kennels (sans doors, of course) to give them a little comfort and privacy in their new stalls until we can get them little Dogloos or build them some boxes. They definitely used them! Funny too, when we milked one outside the stall, the other would climb on the kennels to look out over the stall door to see their buddy. Lots of calling going on, too. :) Butterscotch appears to be in charge though, often head-butting Waiting into submission. She's not overly aggressive, though, and Waiting isn't hurt or afraid, but Waiting is so far accepting her place as the younger doe under Butterscotch as "herd boss". This is a good thing, we think.

New photos - here are the girls on the milkstand I built (yes, it is HUGE - we used an existing deck that was already on the property when we moved here 3 years ago and added the head stantions to it).

And here are the girls just kicking back in their stall:

New photos - here is our brand new buck - Sandy Hollow UK Chesire Cat *S!  He also came from Silveraurora and we are very grateful to Suzanne and Rick for making these amazing goats available to us.