advice on goats & hens

[demi]

we have about 500m2 free space at the back of the garden which we would like to convert into a little paddock for 2 milking goats and 5 egg-laying hens. there is already a brick built shed there which we would extend to form 2 rooms, 1 kitted out for the hens and the other for the goats. there is a hugh old wallnut tree providing shade from the sun and the whole area is overgrown with weeds/grass and grape vines ( we live in macedonia ). i assume the goats will make short work of the overgrown grass, getting it under control.
what i would like to know is is this enough space for 2 goats and 5 hens? do you think the living conditions are suitable? and is there any problems with keeping hens and goats together? do they need to be wormed and fleed and will this effect the milk & eggs in any way? is it worth buying one of those electric milking device things to save milking by hand? how much hay do goats eat a day and can i just feed them, along with the chickens, on kitchen & garden scraps and extra fruit from the orchard? ( plus grain for the chickens ). do goats go to the toilet in their bed when they have full accsess to outside? i know the area is small so i would be picking up the droppings on a regular basis for the compost.

[Henwoman]

I keep my goats and hens together and there is no problem with them at all. I wouldn't have thought it worth buying a milking machine for just two goats. If you milk them by hand you get to know them and can tell how they are healthwise. I can't really answer your other questions, but I'm sure there are people on here who can.

[oldjerry]

We've kept goats for many years,and I would encourage any one to do the same,However....
Forget this myth that they will eat 'anything',they are amongst the fussyist of all domestic animals.in order to produce a reasonble quantity of milk,and stay healthy, they need to be fed a good amount of high protien food,as well as hay/roughage etc.
In order to produce milk they need to be mated by and large every year(there are maiden milkers,and some will 'run through') in Sept/Oct/nov etc so you will need access to a billy.
You have plenty of space,in fact I would prefer to keep them on a hardstanding(with access to cover) and bring their hay/roughage to them,this reduces also the amount of hoof trimming you will need to do.
They WILL live on scrub/hay etc,but not thrive,and you wont see much milk.(bit like having a dog that wont do what it's told).
And they crap anywhere! And they need milking twice a day EVERY day.
Dont be put off though,just be aware,you can learn on the job,cept for pigs,my favourite animals. BW

[demi]

thanks for your advice. i was worried 500m2 was not big enough for 2 goats plus the hens. what kind of high protien food you do feed them? along with hay and fruit&veg.