Poor, Cold Goats?

[Pony]

Okay, I'm just looking for some reassurance here. I went through something similar when I first got rabbits, but with my goats, well... it's different. They're GOATS.

I know that they have nice, snug shelters from the impending cold (it's supposed to go down to 26*F tonight -- where is Autumn???) They have nice thick coats (the buck's coat is thicker than my doe's coat, though), they have hay and alfalfa cubes and water (that's not frozen -- yet).

So why do I want to go out there and bring my little goatie girl in the house?? (No way am I bringing that buck inside -- he's in full rut, and stinks to high holy heaven!)

Please, reassure me that they'll be just fine?

[Minelson]

Uh! I know. I am going through the same thing. And mine are in a new place that isn't as "nice" as our old place. So I spent a lot of time today trying to make it nice for them. I hefted a wood "box" onto a wood table in their house. Sealed up any leaks and put shavings and hay in there. They already have a nesting spot but I wanted to give them "options" since it is getting so cold. I would love to bring them in for the night but I keep hearing my friend say "you can kill them with kindness" so out they shall stay. I had to jump through hoops for my horses too! This weather stinks! I'm not ready!!

[ShyAnne]

Last year, I had a 3 sided shelter, hay for bedding, I though it was going to be enough. Every morning I got up to find shivering goats. It was awful. So I boarded up the 4th side and made a door, ran electricity, and put in a heat bulb.
My goats do not have much of a winter coat at all, not sure why, maybe breed, maybe because I am in Texas and they are more acclimated to the heat.
This year I have a different barn and am much better prepared for cold weather.

BTW even though my goats were found shivering, they did fine never got sick, but I was very worried about it. I hate to see cold animals!

[ozark_jewels]

They will be fine. When it gets really cold, be sure they have plenty of bedding, plenty of hay to eat, free-choice, and maybe bring them warm water(I don't).

[goatkid]

Your goats will be fine. I've been raising them in Montana for nine years with no heat lamps, nor do I bring older, weaned goats in the house. I just make sure they have straw in their houses when it gets really cold out. it's supposed to go down to 1 tonite here. I gave them a little extra to eat and strawed the houses.

[Bricheze]

I would have brought my bottle baby kid home because of the cold weather, but finally my mom said "No". lol smart women

[Jcran]

Dry shelter? Lots of yummy hay to fill rumens? Thickly bedded? No drafts? Then they'll be FINE!!! I lay awake on windy rainy winter nights and worry, but I know that if they have "all of the above" then they are more perturbed by my waking them up than by the cold. Our first big rain is slated for Monday. Time to get out the mucker boots until May!

[where I want to]

As long as they are in a good shelter, have food to heat up the stomach and water. they should do fine. But you could always indulge them with warm water in the morning.
Now if it get to 10 below you might just have to arrange them in front of the wood stove with some hot chocolate........................

[barngirl]

I understand the worrying about the goats...I do that sometimes too Our barn is OLD and has plenty of draft (I know, not good for goats) so we board up windows, put heavy quilts in front of doors etc. With that and plenty of food, water and lots of straw they'll survive just fine. Mine do have plenty of body fat...that may help?!!

[pookshollow]

I've noticed that my goats like to sleep cuddled up together, even in not so cold weather.

I came out one morning and found three bucklings, a Boer buck and a ram all in a big heap. The two more aggressive bucks were on their own.

I got the ram as a bottle baby in January, and he lived out in the barn just fine. They're pretty tough!

[jil101ca]

I'm worrying too, the barn is not bad but there was ice on the puddles and there is a very chilly wind coming from the west which just happens to be the side of the barn where we can not get the new "made by me" door to hang.Which of course is blowing right into the goat stalls. i did have a heavy plastic door hung for temp but the wind kindly ripped it down during the night.We plan on making some raised beds for them stuffed with straw and hay.I guessing we better get our butts in gear, winter seems to be soon....

[Minelson]

Well my little family survived. When I opened the door Gretta and Flossie were nestled in their hay bed (with blankets draped over the top). And Frankie was laying on the concrete area of the floor! I have 2 bed huts, stall mats with tons of shavings, tons of hay, blankets and rugs in there...and he lays on the concrete.

[Pony]

They're alive and VOCAL this morning, so all is well at Tempest Farm.

Silly goats! We can't have the buckling in with the doe because of her broken leg (he just won't leave her alone, and she needs to have a couple more weeks before I'm confident that it's healing properly). Still, he has a nice, thick, incredibly stinky coat; her coat seems to be the same as ever: shiny and sleek. She does, however, seem to have put on a bit of padding (not TOO much, but some), so that will help too.

I think I'll make sure we double check for air leaks in the shed where Troubles lives. The Bachelor Shack is pretty secure and small enough for the buckling to heat with his body, but we're going to insulate the exterior with some spoiled hay bales.

It's an interesting truth: My animals live a lot better than some people.

[celadon]

I too have been worrying about my 3 boys. Winter is coming fast this year. Boys always had there tail high. Now it is tucked because of the cold. I put straw down over there sawdust for warmth. They have a nice cozy small barn to go into. I moved them to the other side last week so the wind will not blow in. They were quite happy with the move. I also put in a large dog house and put straw in that but so far all they do is lay on the top of it. But I am sure once it gets really cold I will find them in the barn in the dog house cuddleing. They really have a nice fluffy long coat of hair. So i stopped worrying. LOL

[Backfourty,MI.]

All our critters of any kind are spoiled here too & dh says I go alittle over board sometimes. I'm trying to get better, at least I still don't make them wear coats!
When we first started getting goats I thought they needed coats, had winter babie ONCE & ran a heat lamp all the time. I don't do that stuff anymore. I just make sure they have plenty of straw to snuggle in(I always make sure it's clean & dry) & plenty of good hay & water. There are plenty of 4 sided houses with doors for everyone or they can snuggle together.

There all getting the bulky winter fur, started a few weeks ago. I wonder if that means were going to have a doozy of a winter here?

[Tallabred]

I am envious of your cold weather. My does have all been putting on their winter coats and it was in the 90's this week - everyone is panting they are so hot! Could you share just a LITTLE of the cold and send it down here to Tallahassee?

[deetu]

I just wanted to add that it is better for them to be out all the time and not inside part of the time because they will not be able to adjust to going from warm to cold as well, especially now when their winter coats are coming in.

jil101ca, can you put a barrier panel in front of your made door? That would keep the wind from whipping through. I am going to do that with mine this year.

[Minelson]

Originally Posted by Tallabred

I am envious of your cold weather. My does have all been putting on their winter coats and it was in the 90's this week - everyone is panting they are so hot! Could you share just a LITTLE of the cold and send it down here to Tallahassee?

Oh gosh...if I knew how to send it I would...it just started snowing here

[HilltopDaisy]

I have goats who have lived through -30 degree temps (NOT wind chill, real temps, 3 days in a row!). As long as they are in an enclosed shed or stall they will be fine. Lots of dry bedding, warm water to drink, hay at all times.

[FarmerGirl101]

Where getting goats real soon.I have a 3 sided barn/ shed thing for the horse. The front is open,no wall. Should i put a dog house or something(with straw in it) in there so they will stay warm?If not i have rubber kinds of mats to put in there and straw.