Nope, not ridiculous at all. I’ve been doing it for years to the point my whole herd is housebroken. (Even a 250lb boer wether) They live outside but come in for visits now. Lol. As they get older, leave them out for longer periods of time and once their coats are good and thick you can transition them to your barn with a igloo dog house In the stall for them to snuggle in with a deep layer of straw.
I had no idea they could be house trained! That might be something for each of the kids to work on with their little guys! I’ve been letting them out once the temperature gets above freezing. They have a little house with a straw bed in their temporary outside pen, a 12’x12’x6’ fenced area. The older of the little guys can jump easily half way up that fence!