Goat Keeping in Winter

divinemisselle · 09-09-2006, 07:44 AM

I have to admit it, winter isn't too far away. The leaves are already starting to fall in certain spots.

So I have these two goats now. One is from Florida and the other is only a couple months old.

What do goats require in the winter, besides the obvious: feed, hay, water, shelter, etc.

Do they grow winter coats, or should I make blankies for them?

Heat lamps in their shelter?

How would they do in snow?

I don't want to keep them exclusively in the barn, I worry about dust and such, will their run in shelter suffice?

Promise Ranch · 09-09-2006, 07:47 AM

Thanks for asking this! This will be our first winter with goats as well... I'm looking forward to the replies.

Range · 09-09-2006, 09:28 AM

A good shelter is the most important to keeping the goats warm. They do grow a wooly winter coat and they like to cuddle up to keep warm. I have a bench in my shelter so they can get off the ground, but I do provide "nesting" materials on the ground so they can cuddle into those as well. You shouldn't need to worry about blankets or heat lamps unless you have kids. Even then, the kids would only need a heat lamp for a couple of days. My goats don't really venture into the hut unless it's wet or if it's really cold. Otherwise, the cuddle in a group out in the pasture! Oh, it should be at least a 3 sided shelter. Ours is three sided, but has 1/2 a 4th side with a door that used to close, before the billy beat it up.

I am in Texas and it did get into the 'teens a couple of times last winter. I would say that other states would be the same guidelines. Same as horses, they will adapt!

Luv2Game · 09-09-2006, 09:28 AM

It is our first winter with goats too, so ditto on looking forward to the replies!!!! Thanks DVM!!!!!

Range · 09-09-2006, 09:46 AM

Oops, forgot about the snow. Ours don't see it but maybe once in the winter, they don't come out of their shelter! That white stuff is WET and they might melt!

pennyrain · 09-10-2006, 01:46 AM

Like others have said goats will need a good draft free shelter where they can get out of the wind and wetness. My goats have the option of being inside or out, same as our horses. In really bad weather and rain they will definitely be inside. I feed free choice mixed alfalfa/grass hay large square bales after the fall rains are done(usually November) outside. If there is a blizzard or really super cold weather(say minus 10 or more) I will feed them in the barn. I like to think feeding them outside helps to keep the barn cleaner. They have a heated AW outside too.
I prefer to use pine shavings for bedding. It is acceptable to use "manure pack" for goats as it does make things warmer all winter but it is also quite a job to clean in the spring.
Snow doesn't faze my Toggenburgs, but strong, cold winds are another thing. Someone already said their goats like to snuggle. Our use each other for pillows, lying their head and neck across another's back.

muttduck · 09-10-2006, 08:37 AM

Last year on the coldest days in FL, baby Annie wore her makeshift sweater. (She was born on Jan 20.) I also used a heat lamp. Duchess avoided the lamp during the days, but did lay next to it at night. Baby Annie nested under it. (I did place it over her favorite spot, and where I put their hay.)

Lady was never one to go to the lamp. She did get a thick coat.

For Cinnamon/Ginger, she should be another 4 months older by snowtime here (right?) She will be close to adult size and should be able to cope in a 3 sided run in.

You might consider a heat lamp in the shelter, but otherwise, I would think they'll adapt. OR, you could have them wear a ginormous doggie sweater if they seem to take it rough, but remember their horns will tear it up (and putting it on might be a challenge!)

farmergal · 09-11-2006, 03:32 AM

I'm from NY and winters can drop to 20 below so I move my goats to the barn during the worst of the winter, otherwise this is where they call home. It is a home made calf hutch my husband built for me. It is 4'x8'x4'h. It has a dirt floor so the bedding stays dryer. I would think that being you are farther south of me this shelter would work for you year round.

mandelyn82 · 09-11-2006, 05:32 AM

Mine was kept in the barn, he got extra hay as bedding, and he would hollow out a shell to sleep in.. like a dog would. If the horses went out, he went out with his other goat buddy Gabriel. On really cold nights they were stalled together and they'd pile up to sleep. They fought all the time if they didn't need the body heat, so usually they were stalled apart.

But we didn't really change their diets.. same goat feed, whatever hay the horses were getting. We gave them extra bedding and left it at that and they were fine. This was in Ohio... so it got pretty cold.

They loved playing in the snow though. They hop and skip around in it, scratch around for things to eat, and they'd eat the snow if there was nothing to be found under it.

skipsnightlady81 · 09-11-2006, 10:09 AM

We have one goat who has got to be like 15 years old. She has one horn and is the meanest little thing I have ever seen. She is out with one of our mares and is out all year round. We give her hay and grain and she can go into the shelter if she wants and its seems to be fine. She is still living and kicking....

09-09-2006, 07:44 AM
divinemisselle Bombproof Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: At the bar... Posts: 8,359	Goat Keeping in Winter I have to admit it, winter isn't too far away. The leaves are already starting to fall in certain spots. So I have these two goats now. One is from Florida and the other is only a couple months old. What do goats require in the winter, besides the obvious: feed, hay, water, shelter, etc. Do they grow winter coats, or should I make blankies for them? Heat lamps in their shelter? How would they do in snow? I don't want to keep them exclusively in the barn, I worry about dust and such, will their run in shelter suffice? __________________ . Lead me not into temptation..... I can find it just fine on my own.....

09-09-2006, 07:47 AM
Promise Ranch Coming two Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: North Texas Posts: 1,797	Thanks for asking this! This will be our first winter with goats as well... I'm looking forward to the replies. __________________ It is the eternal struggle between these two principles - right and wrong. They are the two principles that have stood face to face from the beginning of time and will ever continue to struggle. It is the same spirit that says, "You work and toil and earn bread, and I'll eat it." - Abraham Lincoln

09-09-2006, 09:28 AM
Range Kid Safe Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Back of Beyond Posts: 6,739	goats A good shelter is the most important to keeping the goats warm. They do grow a wooly winter coat and they like to cuddle up to keep warm. I have a bench in my shelter so they can get off the ground, but I do provide "nesting" materials on the ground so they can cuddle into those as well. You shouldn't need to worry about blankets or heat lamps unless you have kids. Even then, the kids would only need a heat lamp for a couple of days. My goats don't really venture into the hut unless it's wet or if it's really cold. Otherwise, the cuddle in a group out in the pasture! Oh, it should be at least a 3 sided shelter. Ours is three sided, but has 1/2 a 4th side with a door that used to close, before the billy beat it up. I am in Texas and it did get into the 'teens a couple of times last winter. I would say that other states would be the same guidelines. Same as horses, they will adapt! __________________ "Be careful what you wish for, because you just might get it all... you just might get it all, and then some you don't want." Chris Daughtery

09-09-2006, 09:28 AM
Luv2Game Long Yearling Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Iowa Posts: 1,459	It is our first winter with goats too, so ditto on looking forward to the replies!!!! Thanks DVM!!!!! __________________ "Horses know nothing of money, status, beauty or accomplishment...Horses see only our hearts, and they accept or reject us based on what they find within... - Mary Midkiff

09-09-2006, 09:46 AM
Range Kid Safe Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Back of Beyond Posts: 6,739	goats Oops, forgot about the snow. Ours don't see it but maybe once in the winter, they don't come out of their shelter! That white stuff is WET and they might melt! __________________ "Be careful what you wish for, because you just might get it all... you just might get it all, and then some you don't want." Chris Daughtery

09-10-2006, 01:46 AM
pennyrain Yearling Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: minnesota Posts: 783	Like others have said goats will need a good draft free shelter where they can get out of the wind and wetness. My goats have the option of being inside or out, same as our horses. In really bad weather and rain they will definitely be inside. I feed free choice mixed alfalfa/grass hay large square bales after the fall rains are done(usually November) outside. If there is a blizzard or really super cold weather(say minus 10 or more) I will feed them in the barn. I like to think feeding them outside helps to keep the barn cleaner. They have a heated AW outside too. I prefer to use pine shavings for bedding. It is acceptable to use "manure pack" for goats as it does make things warmer all winter but it is also quite a job to clean in the spring. Snow doesn't faze my Toggenburgs, but strong, cold winds are another thing. Someone already said their goats like to snuggle. Our use each other for pillows, lying their head and neck across another's back.

09-10-2006, 08:37 AM
muttduck Kid Safe Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Central Kentucky Posts: 6,957	Last year on the coldest days in FL, baby Annie wore her makeshift sweater. (She was born on Jan 20.) I also used a heat lamp. Duchess avoided the lamp during the days, but did lay next to it at night. Baby Annie nested under it. (I did place it over her favorite spot, and where I put their hay.) Lady was never one to go to the lamp. She did get a thick coat. For Cinnamon/Ginger, she should be another 4 months older by snowtime here (right?) She will be close to adult size and should be able to cope in a 3 sided run in. You might consider a heat lamp in the shelter, but otherwise, I would think they'll adapt. OR, you could have them wear a ginormous doggie sweater if they seem to take it rough, but remember their horns will tear it up (and putting it on might be a challenge!) __________________ Custom stall signs and pet portraits, Wood Burned by hand with your equine's (or pet's) image: www.WoodburnedPetPortraits.com Self Defense Supplies, Stun Guns, Pepper Sprays: https://selfprotectionsupplies.com/

09-11-2006, 03:32 AM
farmergal Kid Safe Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: New York Posts: 6,063	I'm from NY and winters can drop to 20 below so I move my goats to the barn during the worst of the winter, otherwise this is where they call home. It is a home made calf hutch my husband built for me. It is 4'x8'x4'h. It has a dirt floor so the bedding stays dryer. I would think that being you are farther south of me this shelter would work for you year round. __________________ Knowlege is out there, you just need to know where to look.

09-11-2006, 05:32 AM
mandelyn82 Started Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Cincinnati, OH Posts: 2,320	Mine was kept in the barn, he got extra hay as bedding, and he would hollow out a shell to sleep in.. like a dog would. If the horses went out, he went out with his other goat buddy Gabriel. On really cold nights they were stalled together and they'd pile up to sleep. They fought all the time if they didn't need the body heat, so usually they were stalled apart. But we didn't really change their diets.. same goat feed, whatever hay the horses were getting. We gave them extra bedding and left it at that and they were fine. This was in Ohio... so it got pretty cold. They loved playing in the snow though. They hop and skip around in it, scratch around for things to eat, and they'd eat the snow if there was nothing to be found under it. __________________ "The more people I meet the more I love my German Shepherd"

09-11-2006, 10:09 AM
skipsnightlady81 Yearling Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: NEW JERSEY Posts: 530	We have one goat who has got to be like 15 years old. She has one horn and is the meanest little thing I have ever seen. She is out with one of our mares and is out all year round. We give her hay and grain and she can go into the shelter if she wants and its seems to be fine. She is still living and kicking....