heat lamps?

mandy66 · #1 11/29/13, 01:07 PM

Does anyone use heat lamps for their goats in the winter? Premier I has a safe looking one, encased in heat-resistant plastic, with guards on it. I ask because I've been nursing one of my Nubians back to health and she is still sensitive to the cold. She is wearing a sweatshirt AND a goat coat, but she still isn't totally well yet. I have 4 Nubians, one of the less "insulated" goat breeds - any advice would be appreciated! Thanks.

nehimama · #2 11/29/13, 03:24 PM

I *like* those heat lamps from Premiere, Mandy, and I USE them! Newborns & their dams get them the first few days of their lives, when it's really cold, and they're a big plus for ME, when I'm tending an in-labor doe on a frigid day - or night!

Minelson · #3 11/29/13, 03:42 PM

If you are going to use one the Premier1 ones are the way to go. I have 3 of them. I use them for the cats. (spoiled) I don't use them in buildings that have any hay though...I'm just too paranoid of fire and want to sleep at night. If I had a sick goat I would use one...and wouldn't sleep. I would be checking the barn cam all night long! How cold is it by you?

mandy66 · #4 11/29/13, 03:49 PM

To answer your question, it has already gone down in the teens and we've had several days in the low 20's - northeast Ohio. It's really early to have temps this low, so I'm worried about what this winter will bring, especially since I'm trying to get my one goat back to good health. I agree about not sleeping - exactly what I was thinking, actually. I'll use the lamps when it's cold but will probably sit watch all night! How many are appropriate to warm 4 fairly large goats, in your opinion (they range in weight from 90 - 150 lbs). The barn is mid-sized, old, but in good shape/not too drafty at all.

Thanks again!

Minelson · #5 11/29/13, 05:52 PM

Honestly, if they are all snugged up together in nice dry bedding then I wouldn't do it. Is she shivering?
Also, do you do the deep bedding method? I do and it has yet to get below zero in the barn. It was 17 below one morning and still 9 degrees in the barn.

Squeaky McMurdo · #6 11/30/13, 11:31 PM

I use one...mostly because my husband never got around to building the shed for them he was supposed to, so I have a 6x5 metal roof butted up to a cedar fence leaned up against the garage and have a red heat lamp on them. Red light is easier to sleep in.

punchiepal · #7 12/01/13, 12:51 AM

I have also heard of people putting heat lamps inside of live animal trap cages to keep the bulb away from the goats. Haven't tried this myself yet.

nehimama · #8 12/01/13, 01:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by punchiepal

I have also heard of people putting heat lamps inside of live animal trap cages to keep the bulb away from the goats. Haven't tried this myself yet.

Excellent! I've been known to fabricate a "safe cage" around heat lamps, myself. Works out well.

Doug Hodges · #9 12/01/13, 02:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by punchiepal

I have also heard of people putting heat lamps inside of live animal trap cages to keep the bulb away from the goats. Haven't tried this myself yet.

Cool. That gives me several ideas

Frosted Mini's · #10 12/01/13, 06:29 PM

Healthy goats, including newborn kids, don't need heat lamps (I know original post was about a sick goat), as long as they are dry, well fed, and have shelter from wind and rain...even in 3 sided shelters where it's pretty dang cold. Ask my goats! I did purchase a heat lamp for this spring, but only for putting newborn babies while they dry and I help the dam deliver the next kid.

Ford Zoo · #11 12/01/13, 09:28 PM

I have used heat lamps for the kids when we kidded in minus 20 degrees last year. I made a 'safer' lamp out of a 5 gallon plastic bucket. I would worry that the goat coat is flattening her own natural coat, canceling out the natural insulation of her hair coat. I have never known Nubians to be any less cold tolerant than my other breeds. We are in Far NW WI.

southerngurl · #12 12/01/13, 10:04 PM

I just won't use them. They give me the willies, I don't care what safeguards are in place. If I have a goat that can't be out in the cold, it comes in the house.

I am always careful that kids have full tummies before bed.

hiddensprings · #13 12/03/13, 09:09 AM

I only use them to help get newborns dry and warm if they happen to arrive on a cold day. Other then that, the girls snuggle up in the barn. On a very cold night, my dogs and barn cats are right there in the mix

fcnubian · #14 12/04/13, 01:48 PM

I don't use heat lamps, they scare me after I've heard of so many fires being started because of them.

I have a sick doe who also was having trouble staying warm....she is in my bedroom right now...(I have a concrete floor so she can't ruin the floor w/ urine/poop) She is in a watermelon bin that I got from work. lol