Hi all!
I have a cute little barn for my goats with an attached high fenced in area on side. I have no LGDs so this has worked safely and well enabling the darling goats to have lots of airflow at night. Daytime- they have access to their fields all day yesr round. As temps got cooler- I shut the big door out to this pen but made a "goat size door" to cut down on the amount of cold air but allow them access to outside at night and early morning before I let them out.
Well - with tonight being in the 20 degree zone- I have worried about this door. Now my first 5 goats had only a 3 sided shed for protection, but still. Do other people have a way for the goats to be outside all the time or do you all get rid of any sources of drafts in winter? Drafts are my only concern- the little door lets in the cold but without the door they are trapped in the barn all night.
What is the vote- keep nightime little door open all winter into outside pen or close it to keep drafts away. It is a small hole- just big enough for them to fit through- they love going in and out.
Judy
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Mine have their new barn but because of yard layout, the big doors face the wind/rain side, in our case, the south side. I keep those closed in rain with wind weather and with cold weather. They have a small opening, their height, cut between the studs on the east side. Normally, that would be a cold wind side but my enclosed patio, 5-6 feet away, is there and blocks the wind. I have not yet covered that little door as no wind blows through it because the "wind trail" is blocked by the house and the patio.
It is important to note that their barn has plenty of circulation/ventilation. When we put on the roof, we did *not* enclose the space between the headers and the rafters so there is cross circulation at the top on the two long sides. Because the loft flooring is on top of the cross pieces, that air moves around within the barn (versus in the loft). This was by design, rather than accidental, so I would not have to cut windows in the sides though I kept that possibility open. In my 12x12 barn, there is also a 4x12 opening with no loft floor (ceiling) which, undoubtedly, allows more ventilation. So far, there has been no circulation issue and, if it should arise, I will put a fan in there to move the air more than it does naturally.
During this cold weather, I have one heat lamp out (over the kidding stall area) there but it is about five feet above the "floor" and securely fastened with a chain over the rafter (with a padlock, really) so it cannot fall or get bumped loose. It is enough heat to take the chill out of the air during out colder weather but not so much to keep them from filling out their winter coats or relying on it.
Normally, I know that feeling so well! :) For the last three months, however, I've been caring full time for my 1 year old twin niece and nephew, and their 4 year old sister, as well as homeschooling my own 4 children. My husband has taken over the daily feeding and watering duties. I miss seeing them twice a day, but I hardly have time to worry about them with all that is going on here. I am still doing all the hoof trimming, barn cleaning, etc. though. I just got the does stall cleaned, and added four straw bales to make a platform for them to lie on. When it was all ready, it was so nice to just take some time sitting with them on the bales. I love listening to them crunching the hay, and watching them. I agree it is very calming. :)
We all love our goats. I can't describe the joy I get being with my goats! I am sure you all know what I mean. They bring me a sense of happiness and calm even on the worst days. I like watching them eat, admire their plush coats this time if year, spend more time cleaning their barns and decorating than in my actual house! And when I walk them in the fields and woods- it is so beautiful- even in this early winter phase! They are such a part of my life!
Yes, they push through both directions. No, so far we've had no problems with them getting through. Even one day when there was freezing rain last year, they did manage to get in and out. I can see that it may be possible for them to have trouble and need some help, such as a serious snow storm that blows against the doorway and covers the bottom of the blanket. However, they're not going to come out in that weather anyway. Usually, I have to shovel them a path to the water after it snows, before they will come out. Silly spoiled boys. :)
I'm in Northern MN, and it was 0 degrees here this morning. My does are always closed in at nihgt because they only have a large door. My bucks have a small shed with a door that faces east/slightly south. It has a wool blanket hanging over it. They come and go at will and are fine. When the temp dips much farther, and there is wind, I do put them in the bigger barn in a pen there. I hope that helps you a bit.
If there is only a small door and no window or door on the other side of the coop, you won't get a draft. My bucks and dry does live in 3-sided shelters all winter.
Replies
Mine have their new barn but because of yard layout, the big doors face the wind/rain side, in our case, the south side. I keep those closed in rain with wind weather and with cold weather. They have a small opening, their height, cut between the studs on the east side. Normally, that would be a cold wind side but my enclosed patio, 5-6 feet away, is there and blocks the wind. I have not yet covered that little door as no wind blows through it because the "wind trail" is blocked by the house and the patio.
It is important to note that their barn has plenty of circulation/ventilation. When we put on the roof, we did *not* enclose the space between the headers and the rafters so there is cross circulation at the top on the two long sides. Because the loft flooring is on top of the cross pieces, that air moves around within the barn (versus in the loft). This was by design, rather than accidental, so I would not have to cut windows in the sides though I kept that possibility open. In my 12x12 barn, there is also a 4x12 opening with no loft floor (ceiling) which, undoubtedly, allows more ventilation. So far, there has been no circulation issue and, if it should arise, I will put a fan in there to move the air more than it does naturally.
During this cold weather, I have one heat lamp out (over the kidding stall area) there but it is about five feet above the "floor" and securely fastened with a chain over the rafter (with a padlock, really) so it cannot fall or get bumped loose. It is enough heat to take the chill out of the air during out colder weather but not so much to keep them from filling out their winter coats or relying on it.
Normally, I know that feeling so well! :) For the last three months, however, I've been caring full time for my 1 year old twin niece and nephew, and their 4 year old sister, as well as homeschooling my own 4 children. My husband has taken over the daily feeding and watering duties. I miss seeing them twice a day, but I hardly have time to worry about them with all that is going on here. I am still doing all the hoof trimming, barn cleaning, etc. though. I just got the does stall cleaned, and added four straw bales to make a platform for them to lie on. When it was all ready, it was so nice to just take some time sitting with them on the bales. I love listening to them crunching the hay, and watching them. I agree it is very calming. :)
Yes, they push through both directions. No, so far we've had no problems with them getting through. Even one day when there was freezing rain last year, they did manage to get in and out. I can see that it may be possible for them to have trouble and need some help, such as a serious snow storm that blows against the doorway and covers the bottom of the blanket. However, they're not going to come out in that weather anyway. Usually, I have to shovel them a path to the water after it snows, before they will come out. Silly spoiled boys. :)
I'm in Northern MN, and it was 0 degrees here this morning. My does are always closed in at nihgt because they only have a large door. My bucks have a small shed with a door that faces east/slightly south. It has a wool blanket hanging over it. They come and go at will and are fine. When the temp dips much farther, and there is wind, I do put them in the bigger barn in a pen there. I hope that helps you a bit.
Good point, Rachel! My 3-sided shelters are open to the south. We get winds from the north and the west during the winter.
I personally would leave it open, as long as it's not facing wind.
If there is only a small door and no window or door on the other side of the coop, you won't get a draft. My bucks and dry does live in 3-sided shelters all winter.