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Cold Weather Kidding

Posted by Marin Waddell on January 22, 2011 at 1:59pm in Kidding

The weather around here has warmed up considerably from what it was a few days ago, but it's still below freezing and will probably continue to be so for another 6 weeks at least. The two week forecast is showing a high of 30F (very warm for this time of year) and a low of -2F (much more normal). The first kids from my own breeding are due Feb. 4th, but I suspect that one of the pasture bred does that I purchased in October is going to kid sooner than that. I've read Deborah's explanation of what she's done in cold weather kiddings but want to be certain I'm on the right track.

I'll have a heat lamp hanging over the kidding stall, lots of towels, a heating pad to put wet kids on while I dry them off, and a blow-dryer to help with the drying. I'll have warm molasses water for the doe. 

Any other suggestions? Thanks.

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Replies

  • Melissa Johnson January 28, 2011 at 3:49pm
    2 ft. long too long?

    Deborah Niemann-Boehle said:
    Smaller is better so it holds the heat in, unless you're going to have a dozen kids.

    Melissa Johnson said:

    well, after reading your post of 20 something temps - I feel guilty.  But the weather in the Willamette Valley, OR is really pretty mild in the winter, but the wet and damp makes up for that.  -( 

     

    I built a creep box yesterday,but I think I went overboard.  how big should it be?? 

     

    mine is 2' wide by 16" high, but the length is 32".  I really could use the extra inches if the length really isnt needed.  Wow, wont that be cozy with straw and under the heat lamp??  move over guys.  lol.

  • Melissa Johnson January 28, 2011 at 3:48pm
    Definitely not, I cant house a dozen kids. LOL!

    Deborah Niemann-Boehle said:
    Smaller is better so it holds the heat in, unless you're going to have a dozen kids.

    Melissa Johnson said:

    well, after reading your post of 20 something temps - I feel guilty.  But the weather in the Willamette Valley, OR is really pretty mild in the winter, but the wet and damp makes up for that.  -( 

     

    I built a creep box yesterday,but I think I went overboard.  how big should it be?? 

     

    mine is 2' wide by 16" high, but the length is 32".  I really could use the extra inches if the length really isnt needed.  Wow, wont that be cozy with straw and under the heat lamp??  move over guys.  lol.

  • Deborah Niemann-Boehle January 28, 2011 at 3:28pm
    Smaller is better so it holds the heat in, unless you're going to have a dozen kids.

    Melissa Johnson said:

    well, after reading your post of 20 something temps - I feel guilty.  But the weather in the Willamette Valley, OR is really pretty mild in the winter, but the wet and damp makes up for that.  -( 

     

    I built a creep box yesterday,but I think I went overboard.  how big should it be?? 

     

    mine is 2' wide by 16" high, but the length is 32".  I really could use the extra inches if the length really isnt needed.  Wow, wont that be cozy with straw and under the heat lamp??  move over guys.  lol.

  • Melissa Johnson January 28, 2011 at 3:13pm

    well, after reading your post of 20 something temps - I feel guilty.  But the weather in the Willamette Valley, OR is really pretty mild in the winter, but the wet and damp makes up for that.  -( 

     

    I built a creep box yesterday,but I think I went overboard.  how big should it be?? 

     

    mine is 2' wide by 16" high, but the length is 32".  I really could use the extra inches if the length really isnt needed.  Wow, wont that be cozy with straw and under the heat lamp??  move over guys.  lol.

  • Melissa Johnson January 27, 2011 at 12:50pm
    I declare them "sturdy goats"!  there.  ^^  I do have lights on in their barn room now.  they are heat lamps, but unless you are right under them they dont put out that much heat in a well ventilated 2 story barn.  I ran an extension cord along a 2x4 bout 6 foot high, drove a nail to keep in place and hung the light from a piece of wire.  I am so afraid of a barn fire, I hung it where it is bout 5 feet from the ground.  The nights here are getting only to 30's and days 40's to 50.  so I find the goats snuggle up on a hay bale and dont even get under the light at all.  I think the light is for me. LOL.

    Nicki Zoda said:

    Have a playpen ready for those that aren't strong enough to make it outside.  I have four kids in the house right now that we're on a downhill slide.  Playpens are the best way to keep them in the house IMO.  These four are all healthy and ready to go back outside as soon as the weather cooperates - which at this point won't be soon enough! lol!

      We have lights in the barn - but they aren't heat lamps - just spotlights that put off a little heat.  Make sure they are mounted really good - the kids gravitate to them (so do the moms) but they aren't enough heat to hurt them if they do go out.

  • Nicki Zoda January 27, 2011 at 9:51am

    Have a playpen ready for those that aren't strong enough to make it outside.  I have four kids in the house right now that we're on a downhill slide.  Playpens are the best way to keep them in the house IMO.  These four are all healthy and ready to go back outside as soon as the weather cooperates - which at this point won't be soon enough! lol!

      We have lights in the barn - but they aren't heat lamps - just spotlights that put off a little heat.  Make sure they are mounted really good - the kids gravitate to them (so do the moms) but they aren't enough heat to hurt them if they do go out.

  • Melissa Johnson January 27, 2011 at 3:43am
    i have some 100% wool and wanted to make a sweater, most patterns are for standard size goats.  Anyone have a pattern??  The one I am using looks like a beagle could wear it. -(  It is more like a big cape than sweater..... not looking too promising.........  I have the wool to spare - already made 3 pair of socks.....
  • Marin Waddell January 22, 2011 at 5:38pm
    Thanks Deborah. My preference is to start kidding in March, but the pasture-bred doe arrived here bred, and my Feb. 4th due date occurred when then doe escaped.
  • Deborah Niemann-Boehle January 22, 2011 at 3:33pm
    And forgot to mention what we did with the kids, because their ears kept freezing for about the first 24 hours. We cut the end off of a sock and pulled it over their heads to that it held their ears against their necks. We only lost the tip off of one ear (out of six ears), and it slipped out of the sock.
  • Deborah Niemann-Boehle January 22, 2011 at 3:31pm
    I did also put a sweatshirt on the doe because she was violently shivering after she gave birth. I cut the arms off, and it fit her perfectly. I think it was a size medium. Other does might respond differently, but it's something to think about. I have four does due in a couple weeks and am hoping for temperatures at least in the 20s.
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