New from Alaska

[christytrav]

I am from southcentral AK and do not yet have any goats, but am seriously considering Nigerian Dwarf goats for milk. Would appreciate advise on starting. My main concern at this point is appropriate housing for our weather. It can get to 30 below zero here but I know with my chickens the main concern is humidity with cold temps. It is quite humid here. Raining yesterday at 39* and today it was in the single digits. Up and Down all winter! What kind of goat shed do I need? Does it need to be insulated and will I ever have to run heat lamps like I do for my chickens? I plan to do a dirt floor house for them.
SOME PICS of YOUR GOAT HOUSES WOULD BE GREAT!!!
Thanks!

 

[ksalvagno]

 

[elevan]

You may get more responses to the questions if you post them under one of the goat categories

There are several member from Alaska on here that have goats, so they should be able to provide you a wealth of information.

 

[Rebbetzin]

I LOVE ALASKA!! Some of the best years of my life were spent in Anchorage. I wish I were still there!!

 

[lilhill]

 

[stano40]

 

[julieq]

Welcome! You'll love the ND's and they are very adaptable to various climates.

 

[SDGsoap&dairy]

 

[AkTomboy]

I am from southcentral AK and do not yet have any goats, but am seriously considering Nigerian Dwarf goats for milk. Would appreciate advise on starting. My main concern at this point is appropriate housing for our weather. It can get to 30 below zero here but I know with my chickens the main concern is humidity with cold temps. It is quite humid here. Raining yesterday at 39* and today it was in the single digits. Up and Down all winter! What kind of goat shed do I need? Does it need to be insulated and will I ever have to run heat lamps like I do for my chickens? I plan to do a dirt floor house for them.
SOME PICS of YOUR GOAT HOUSES WOULD BE GREAT!!!
Thanks!

As other said there is quite a few of us from Alaska on here. Im in the interior and have quite a few around who have NDs who are fine past -30. This is my third year looking into NDs and am comfy with all the information and people I have talked to about them being fine in our temps. I am getting my first goats in a few months

If you have face book there is a great group on there that just switched over from Alaskans with NDs to Alaskans with goats

http://www.facebook.com/#!/home.php?sk=group_165639586798729&ap=1

They also have been super helpful.

 

[christytrav]

Thank you AKTOMBOY for the info!
So do you have an insulated house for your goats? Do you use heat at all?