Caring for new Babies in Cold!

[Bucking Adoeable Fainters]

What is everyone's course of action for caring for their new babies in this cold?!

I am fully aware I am in nowhere the freezing temps that some of you are dealing with. I am in So California, and the goats (and myself) are not used to this cold! My babies were born in 70' weather with night lows of 50. Its now been raining, freezing wind, and last night was in the 20s. BIG adjustment for my babies. My Does have some of a winter coat, but my concern is my babies. I went down to the barn (they are in an enclosed barn stall at night for safety and warmth) and mama was practically laying on top of them! The babies usually sleep on one side of birthing pen and mama on other. Which makes me nervous! !!

I was thinking of running down and getting a couple sweaters for babies. I don't have anything small enough right now. Advice? Do i need to plug in a heat lamp? These are my first babies and I'm a bit overprotective as it is!!!

Thank you in advance!

 

[cindyg]

As far as sweaters, just cut the sleeves off an old sweatshirt, and then cut holes for the front legs. Cut in a U shape for bucklings so they can pee without getting it wet. Works great, the cuff of the sleeve is like a turtleneck for them. I have a heat lamp hung, but I think you'll be fine with just the sweaters and Mama's heat.

 

[ksalvagno]

How old and how big are the kids? A warming barrel might work if they are small enough.

 

[Bucking Adoeable Fainters]

Cindy-that is seriously a slice of genius!!! I never would have thought of this! Thank you for sharing! I'll be scouting the closet for old long sleeves (don't have many!)

Ksalvagno-the twins were just born the 29th.I haven't had a chance to weigh them yet,but my guess is +/- pound.

 

[DonnaBelle]

ksalvagno told me about warming barrels a couple of years ago. I have two now, DH can make one in about 15 minutes. He buys a 55 gal plastic barrel at the feed store for $15.00. he uses an exterior base and bulb holder, cuts female end off heavy duty extension cord to wire it up. He cuts a hole in the top of the barrel big enough for a 100 watt incandescent lightbulb to go through then screws the bulb in the bulb holder inserts it in the barrel and screws the bulb holder to the top of the barrel. Easy peasy. He cuts a small entrance in the bottom of the barrel for babies to go in and out. 7 inches wide and14 inches tall. Put some straw (about 2 inches) in the bottom. As soon as they are born, and given a 10cc shot of bovi-sera I put them in the barrel so they warm up and dry out for about 15 minutes, then stick them on Mom for lots of yummy colustrum. I have two does born Jan, 29th and they are doing fine and our temps here get down 8 degrees at times. I would not be without the barrels. Thanks to K. Salvagno for a great tip for cold weather.

I bought up a bunch of 100 watt bulbs for this purpose last year. Obviously the federal government didn't take into consideration baby goats when they banned incandescent bulbs.

DonnaBelle

 

[Bucking Adoeable Fainters]

DonnaBelle- thank you very much!! I will be handing your post to hubby as soon as he gets home! Although I highly doubt we could ever find a barrel that reasonably priced except possibly at the dump/recycle yard. But I will call around. sounds like a life saver! Especially in that cold. Eek!
Many congratulations on your twin does!!!

 

[goatboy1973]

Those barrels are great. We use one of the red heat lamp bulbs. Gets quite toasty. The 100 watt incandescent bulbs are just as bad of a fire hazard though as the infrared ones. Be VERY careful with the heat sources as not to burn your barn down. Our Spanish goats and Spanish/Kiko cross does usually go to the woods or find a rock ledge or a portable goat shelter to kid, hide them for a day or 2, and then introduce them to the herd by the 4th day. Not had to use the barrels since the days of raising registered Boers.

 

[goatboy1973]

I have a few that are due to kid in a couple weeks. They are about to pop! Can't wait to see all those little kids romping around full of energy.

 

[elbesta]

That gave me an idea! I had a plastic barrel that I cut off about 16" from the bottom for a water trough. So now ill cut an arched door way in the top piece and lower the heat lamp down to the top of the barrel and just set it on the straw in the kidding pen. Ill try to get pictures when im done. Its only 4* now but Butter was due on Sunday so I should get to work.

 

[Pioneer Chicken]

I bought up a bunch of 100 watt bulbs for this purpose last year. Obviously the federal government didn't take into consideration baby goats when they banned incandescent bulbs.

DonnaBelle

Yeah, neither did they take into account that there are folks who need them for their egg incubators or keeping chicks warm. Grr...