Having trouble keeping theNew Kids warm

We are concerned about our newest little ones born early this morning. We brought them in to warm-up and about thirty minutes later we took them back to Allis. Poor things stand under the heat lamp and shiver. Should we keep bringing them in to warm by the fire? How long inside and how often? Should we keep them inside and take them out to nurse? How often should they be taken to nurse?

We had the blizzard dump 12-14 inches on Tuesday, we are getting snow now with an expected 2-4 inches, which has already fallen and it is still snowing, then again on Sunday and Monday and talk of next Wednesday also. Annual average snow fall for us in this area 8-10, if any at all which is the case most years, this is spread out over a five month period. Winter temperatures average in thirties for day time. Not this winter. Nights are below freezing and days are about 10 +/-, have been for a week and not expected to change for awhile. We are not accustom to the cold and snow. So our barns are not build for it either. (Neither am I. I am having a hard time keeping my own feet warm. Any ideas welcomed! I dread the trek to the barn.)

Replies

Deborah Niemann-Boehle February 5, 2011 at 10:33am

Just realized this might sound like you need a heat lamp in the dog crate -- NOOO! That't not what I meant. It's one or the other, not both.

Deborah Niemann-Boehle said:

If you keep taking them away from the mama, she might wind up rejecting them, especially if she is a first timer. They tend to freak out and get confused more easily. The temperatures you describe are not unusual for us here in Illinois, and our barn isn't insulated or anything fancy. There used to be a breeder in the Michigan UP that had a barn without electricity. She had little huts for the kids to go into, and they did fine. A small dog crate with straw works well. The front of the heat lamp should be about two to three feet from the top of the straw or wood shavings. As long as the kids are dry, they should be able to stay warm. If you are still worried, you can make little coats for them using the sleeve of a sweatshirt. The wrist band of the sweatshirt becomes the neck band for the kids. If you have a buckling, be sure there isn't any fabric where he can pee on it. Take the sweatshirt out to the kids with a pair of scissors, hold the sleeve up to the kids, so you know how short/long to make it. Then just cut little slits for the two front legs. Only leave them on the kids for a couple days though, so they can grow their own warm coats.

Congratulations!
Kare February 5, 2011 at 1:37am

Thanks for the sweatshirt - kid coat idea! =)

Deborah Niemann-Boehle said:

If you keep taking them away from the mama, she might wind up rejecting them, especially if she is a first timer. They tend to freak out and get confused more easily. The temperatures you describe are not unusual for us here in Illinois, and our barn isn't insulated or anything fancy. There used to be a breeder in the Michigan UP that had a barn without electricity. She had little huts for the kids to go into, and they did fine. A small dog crate with straw works well. The front of the heat lamp should be about two to three feet from the top of the straw or wood shavings. As long as the kids are dry, they should be able to stay warm. If you are still worried, you can make little coats for them using the sleeve of a sweatshirt. The wrist band of the sweatshirt becomes the neck band for the kids. If you have a buckling, be sure there isn't any fabric where he can pee on it. Take the sweatshirt out to the kids with a pair of scissors, hold the sleeve up to the kids, so you know how short/long to make it. Then just cut little slits for the two front legs. Only leave them on the kids for a couple days though, so they can grow their own warm coats.

Congratulations!
Deborah Niemann-Boehle February 4, 2011 at 3:13pm

If you keep taking them away from the mama, she might wind up rejecting them, especially if she is a first timer. They tend to freak out and get confused more easily. The temperatures you describe are not unusual for us here in Illinois, and our barn isn't insulated or anything fancy. There used to be a breeder in the Michigan UP that had a barn without electricity. She had little huts for the kids to go into, and they did fine. A small dog crate with straw works well. The front of the heat lamp should be about two to three feet from the top of the straw or wood shavings. As long as the kids are dry, they should be able to stay warm. If you are still worried, you can make little coats for them using the sleeve of a sweatshirt. The wrist band of the sweatshirt becomes the neck band for the kids. If you have a buckling, be sure there isn't any fabric where he can pee on it. Take the sweatshirt out to the kids with a pair of scissors, hold the sleeve up to the kids, so you know how short/long to make it. Then just cut little slits for the two front legs. Only leave them on the kids for a couple days though, so they can grow their own warm coats.

Congratulations!