Both of my goats if pregnant will kid in December to March. Just wondering how to keep the kids warm without a Heat lamp. I was thinking of getting small dog sweaters putting the kids in a warm box pen thing with a deep layer of straw or shavings. By the way which is better for keeping kids warm straw or shavings.
keeping kids warm is not hard.
The first way is food. lots of food and they don't get cold
then keep them dry. It don't mater what bedding you use if it is wet you have cold goats. you must keep the bedding dry. straw is my choice because it is easy to clean up. and the air in the straw stems acts as more insolation.
I don't feel that dog sweaters help keep goats warm. a dog coat prevents the hair of the goat from standing up and trapping air this trapped air is an important insulation to keep the goat warm
I just make sure they get dry quickly after birth, and have a nice shelter to get out of the weather. They do fine without sweaters, although I do put them on sometimes. They look so cute!
Old sweater sleeves with holes cut for the front legs work really good. The cuff makes a perfect turtleneck.
I agree most of the time just getting dry and staying that way and fed does the trick. I have cheated and used a hair dryer late at night to get it done faster so I can go to bed I go out of my way not to use a heat lamp or coat. I feel it’s harder on them adjusting to the cold when you want to take them away. Even then saying that I have a few coats and 1 heat lamp that I will use if I have to but I mean total shivering cold before they get them and usually only the first night
we bottle feed that is why i was separating them. getting some hairdryers is a great idea. for Christmas I asked my parents for soft towels for drying baby goats so that should be good.
I use wooden boxes (square dog houses) if here are only 4-5 little kids in a pen. They pile in and keep toasty. Too many kids and one could suffocate. (The box is in a pen in the barn). They are strong enough for adults to stand on. (3' square). Once a kid is dry and well fed (not overly so!) they can stay warm.
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