One thing for sure: Being cold is no fun. When the temperatures drop to the low twenties, my goats are cold. That’s when they’re dressed up for winter.
Originally I would cut old blankets in half, fold the half and tie it onto the goat. As soon as they found they were warm, they left the blanket alone, sometimes for days. That was up in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan where cold meant zero or below.
The Ozarks can get that cold, but it’s rare. Low twenties is more common. The goats got too hot, felt itchy and pulled the blankets off.
Then the goats started shivering again.
There are patterns for goat coats. I looked at them, even had a couple I saved. Somehow I never got around to making any as each had to be individually fitted.
Repurposing Sweatshirts
There were sweatshirts in my drawer. I never wore them. My preference is a vest with a hoodie over it.
I cut the arms short on the sweatshirts. Then cut a long arc out of the belly. These became the new goat coats.
It’s not much of a hassle putting these on a goat when they are on the milk stand. I slide the neck opening over their head. Pull up one front hoof and put it through an armhole. Pull up the other front hoof and put it through the other arm hole.
The goat gets warm. The sweatshirt stays put until I take it off.
Dressed Up for Winter
Now I have sweatshirts for all of my goats. They range from medium to double X for the does. Augustus takes a triple X as does Pest, my resident wether.
The does came in the first really cold morning shivering. They would go out and bask in the sun to warm up for the day.
I set up the sweatshirts. Each goat would have the right size.
My herd is a colorful array now. No one shivers in the morning. And they are easily spotted this deer season since they are dressed up for winter.
Side Benefit
Those sleeves aren’t thrown away. The cuffs are cut in half. Two leg holes are cut out. They become goat coats for kids.
