Cold weather coming- question about 6-week old kids

[makingshift]

Hi! It was 79 degrees here in Austin yesterday. Tonight it will be 34. We got our 6-week old Nigerian doelings on Monday and this is our first experience with cold weather. I currently have them in a plastic dog house outside. I put towels in the bottom for comfort.

Do I need to bring them inside for the next few nights? They don't have winter coats because it hasn't been cold here yet. If I can leave them outside, how can I prepare? I am planning to put a thick layer of hay in the bottom of the doghouse (we can't get straw here) and make sure the door is turned away from the prevailing wind. I'm wondering if I should also wrap a blanket or tarp around the outside of the doghouse. It's also going to be rainy on top of cold so I don't want them getting wet!

Any thoughts? I'm like a nervous Nellie new mama over here! Thanks.

 

[cindy]

Hi! We are in southwest Pa. Our nights are getting colder.The goats will snuggle together for warmth. One thing we have done with our goat house,was to hang a truck mud flap over their door. Stoping drafts,and rain don't blow in. If they have hay to bed in they will be fine. On warm days we tie the flap open for ventalation. Good luck!

 

[OneFineAcre]

No, you don't need to bring them in. 34 is not that cold. If you have bedding in the doghouse they will be fine. If you can't put a flap like Cindy said, just make sure the opening is pointed opposite direction of the wind.
Most of our housing is 3 sided shelters 8x8 ft. We build all with the open side facing to the S-SW because anytime we have cold weather in the winter, the wind blows from the N-NE.

 

[Southern by choice]

Welcome to BYH Cindy!

and agree w Cindy and OFA... but you could always bring them in the house and put them in a playpen!

 

[bonbean01]

Yes, I'm sure they'll be just fine...but having them in the house in a playpen really does sound like more fun!

 

[makingshift]

They are currently in the mudroom sniffing everybody's shoes. It's 38 degrees out and raining, which to a Central Texan seems horribly cold. (I know, I know.) When I reached into their doghouse to bring them inside they were quite warm in there. So maybe they'd be fine outside but it *is* awfully fun to have them close by (the mudroom is just off the kitchen, which is where I seem to spend the most time).

Thanks, guys. I really value everyone's feedback.

 

[OneFineAcre]

I never get enough of goats in the house stories.

In the long run, it would be best if you could get them a larger place built for rainy days so they have space to move around.
Something like mine would be great for your climate.

 

[Southern by choice]

goats should never be in the house, nor a playpen... goats are outside animals.
I promise you this was all my children's doing!
feb 16 degrees 2 days old

2-3 day old Kikos

Triplets (Nigerians)

GOATS SHOULD NEVER BE IN THE HOUSE!

 

[makingshift]

HAHAHAHAHA!! Those are hilarious! Wow, those Kikos look enormous to me! They look bigger at two days than my Nigerians at 6 weeks.
I'll try to post pics later.

 

[Southern by choice]

I thought you'd get a kick out of that!
Your babies are truly adorable!
The kikos were born outside in an open stall and running around, they never missed a beat! It was cold too! 16 degrees! My nigies... well lets just say they were only 2-3 lbs... I was worried.

The mudroom sounds great... I get the worried mommy thing!