Michigan winter and Pygmy goats

[WandaCosmo22]

Hi,
I have two Nigerian Pygmy’s I live in Michigan I’m really worried about them and this upcoming winter my husband doesn’t want to use heat lamps because of the obvious they have a 8x10 shed for shelter and that is located in a very large dog run that will be covered back to front with tarps to keep drafts and heavy winds at bay I want them to grow their winter coats and become used to the winter weather I do lay straw down for them it does have a wood floor I’m new to Pygmy’s and I keep having people that have full sized goats try to tell me how to keep them but the breeds are different so I have a lot of anxiety especially because my husband doesn’t understand either that they are a different breed of goat so my question is if anyone out there is familiar with raising Pygmy goats would you please could you please give me some advice for keeping them safe and warm this winter with out going overboard or ridiculous about it

 

[frustratedearthmother]

I raised pygmy goats for several decades. I'm south of Houston so we hve nothing like your Michigan winter. An adult healthy pygmy is a pretty tough critter. Are your goats adults or babies?

One thing you can do for your wood floored shed is to put down some thick rubber stall mats. They will serve two purposes. Your wood floor will be protected, and they will add a layer of insulation to the floor. Put a thick layer of wood shavings over that and then top it off with hay or straw.

Is their shed 3 sided and open or mostly enclosed? Definitely find a way to keep the wind and rain off of them. Can you hang something over the opening to block the weather?

I agree with letting them acclimate to the weather but if they are very young or very old, they may need some help. I'm not a lover of heat lamps but they do have their place. I wouldn't plan on running a lamp all winter - but perhaps on the coldest nights.

Or - you could buy dog sweaters/coats for use on those extra cold nights and not have to worry about a heat lamp. Again - not for every-day use but for worrisome cold nights.

Keep hay in front of them. The act of digestion warms the body.

How Does a Warm Blooded Animal Get Body Heat

How Does a Warm Blooded Animal Get Body Heat? Metabolism of food is the main method used by warm-blooded animals to generates heat. The energy generated ...

pediaa.com

Good luck with them!

 

[WandaCosmo22]

Hi Thanks for the reply my Pygmies are 5 and 3 months old

 

[Alaskan]

I replied to your other thread.....