Posted by Jan on November 20, 2010 at 8:18pm in Breeding
We are moving our goats to a winter exercise area and want the buck and his companion in there as well. Since he isn't welcome in the doe pens inside our garage I want to put the two dog igloos in the exercise yard for shelter. I will stuff them with hay for warmth. Any thoughts. We live in northern Maine and sometimes get lots of snow but definitely get cold weather and some snow.
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I love the rough pole/post for the fence! give that man a big hug - digging holes in the snow -), course, I notice his helper. ^^ yay!
Jan said:
Hahaha..the barn is opened to the greenhouse and has the windows out in the back. We have kept many full sized goats in this space in the past with no problem. I can access them easily through the large doors should we have a deep snow winter. Our barn is 40 x 40pole building and wide open.(It has become my husband's space since I gave up standard sized goats a few years ago) I was reluctant to ask husband to do one more goat thing for me so I thought using the igloos might be an option. He says no. I can use the barn area once again. And he will build the pen.
I would not consider it to "baby them" when we want to provide good shelter for them from the elements. Yes, goats are usually very hardy and can take the cold, but they can not take drafts. The insulated box is a small run in they can cuddle up in and keep warm when needed, especially at night.
Ooops.. I ment to type STRAW not hay!! The igloos are packed full of straw! But most nights they lay on the hay that has dropped on the ground instead..Crazy goats!! They look SO cute these day since their winter coats have grown in!! They have big round chickmunk cheeks..LOL I am soooo IN LOVE w/ them!
Susan Landoll said:
I have always heard that straw is a better insulation than hay. The igloos are a good idea, it will keep them warmer. Last winter I built a large box inside the little goat barn we have and insulated it with 1 inch blue board then lined it again with a thin sheet of plywood and they could keep warm and free from drafts.
I have always heard that straw is a better insulation than hay. The igloos are a good idea, it will keep them warmer. Last winter I built a large box inside the little goat barn we have and insulated it with 1 inch blue board then lined it again with a thin sheet of plywood and they could keep warm and free from drafts.
Right now we are using it to split and stack next years winter firewood but mid winter the goats will all have access to the inside and the bottom of the barn...a wide open space with cement floor. We have so many possibliities but we are old and need to temper our excitement. This greenhouse grew corn starts and pumpkins and dry flower seedlings in the early years for our vegetable and flower farm. Then it housed our boer and nubians . Then it was used for 35 laying hens. Now he has an electric splitter and does the firewood in there (it is after all a very warm space in the fall and winter!
Now I make and sell waldorf dolls on the internet and stay inside except to tend my wonderful goats. Life is full of interesting seasons.
I'm jealous! I want a greenhouse attached to my barn. That is so cool!
Jan said:
Hahaha..the barn is opened to the greenhouse and has the windows out in the back. We have kept many full sized goats in this space in the past with no problem. I can access them easily through the large doors should we have a deep snow winter. Our barn is 40 x 40pole building and wide open.(It has become my husband's space since I gave up standard sized goats a few years ago) I was reluctant to ask husband to do one more goat thing for me so I thought using the igloos might be an option. He says no. I can use the barn area once again. And he will build the pen.
Hahaha..the barn is opened to the greenhouse and has the windows out in the back. We have kept many full sized goats in this space in the past with no problem. I can access them easily through the large doors should we have a
deep snow winter. Our barn is 40 x 40pole building and wide open.(It has become my husband's space since I gave up standard sized goats a few years ago) I was reluctant to ask husband to do one more goat thing for me so I thought using the igloos might be an option. He says no. I can use the barn area once again. And he will build the pen.
We have had our first bitter cold weather that included sleet and snow. Husband says, The buck will go in the barn with his companion. The igloos will stay in the outside pen for shelter during the day when they are all locked outside. If we didn't close the door they would spend most of their day inside.
Replies
Jan said:
Susan Landoll said:
Now I make and sell waldorf dolls on the internet and stay inside except to tend my wonderful goats. Life is full of interesting seasons.
Jan said:
deep snow winter. Our barn is 40 x 40pole building and wide open.(It has become my husband's space since I gave up standard sized goats a few years ago) I was reluctant to ask husband to do one more goat thing for me so I thought using the igloos might be an option. He says no. I can use the barn area once again. And he will build the pen.
winter goat pen 003.JPG
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digging holes 004.JPG
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