I never intended to be a goat keeper. Raising goats never made my wish list growing up. When cold weather settles in, it is not on my list of favorite things at all.
One day, the temperature hit 76 degrees. At three in the afternoon, the cold began moving in. By five, when I went out to the barn, it was only 36 degrees. Winter was back.
Cold Goats
In the morning, the goats were shivering in twelve degrees. They wanted their sweat shirts back on. I considered this and decided to wait.
The sun was shining. One thing about goats standing in the sunshine is how fast they warm up. It is tempting to snuggle into their warm fur, so much warmer than any jacket.
Cold Water
When the temperature is only twenty, water freezes quickly. Ice water may be nice on hot summer days, but not on cold winter ones.
One of the raising goats rules of such cold days is: No water is left standing at the barn. Instead, water is carried out in the morning, at noon and at night. Everyone who wants one gets a drink. Any water left over gets dumped out.
Cold Chickens
My chickens don’t like such winter cold either. They do have nice feather coats to fluff up. So, the chickens race around looking for bugs that have disappeared for the winter.
Chickens are funny about ice. They love to peck it and eat it. But the ice makes them cold too.
The same rule applies: No water is left outside during the day. This is not popular at all.
When I take water out to the chicken yard, all the chickens come running over to mob the pan. I make sure there are several pans as the chickens argue about which one is first.
Raising Goats and Chickens
Books about livestock don’t mention water in winter cold. It’s one of the things you learn the hard way that first winter. The water freezes solid and must be chipped out of the pails so everyone can get a drink.
It’s easier to go out to check on everyone and give them a drink two or three times a day.
