Winter with goats

[SheepGirl]

@frustratedearthmother, I think this is what @danielle was trying to say
"Ok, feedlots feed them corn and sweet feed during the winter to help keep them warm. I've even asked a vet and they said it does help keep them warm. I do believe it can make them fat if overfed. I live in Iowa, so it's a cattle and hog state, and now sheep. There is not alot of people that mess with goats, so the feed store has goat feed but it's $15 a bag in the summer time (which I don't feed during the summer; I just give them hay and they forage the rest). In the winter time, goat feed goes up to $23 a bag, usually it is all bought before I can buy some. So I use sweet feed and corn, I never over feed. Just a half cup of each corn and sweet feed, the rest is hay. I never had one bloat or have the runs before. I've had good results."

 

[frustratedearthmother]

Thanks!

I don't live in Iowa so I don't have to deal with the weather extremes that are likely there. But, my best friend (who is a veterinarian) does live there. She has assured me that anything a feed lot does is done because it is economically advantageous for them to do it that way - and not necessarily the best thing for the animal. A feed lot is concerned about growing out the animal as quickly as possible and NOT concerned about the animal's long term health. I mean, it is a feed lot, lol!

However, digestion of any kind does produce heat...digestion of hay produces heat longer.

My barn is open on three sides and not insulated - not really needed here - and I would worry about moisture build up.

Nutrition, shelter, and water... simple but effective. Oh, and a bridge over every mud puddle on the place would be top of the list requests from my crew.

 

[jodief100]

I don't buy "Goat Feed". Anything specifically labeled for goats costs more than it needs to. I buy a standard 18% protein livestock pellet, mix 2 parts of that with 1 part whole corn and 1 part alfalfa pellets. I feed at a rate of 1/10 lb per head to 1/2 lb per head depending on circumstances. have your hay tested and feed supplements accordingly. A goat needs 12% protein. Any higher and it is just wasted.

 

[pederslilfarmJesus4me]

Where can you buy non-GMO corn or soybeans these days?

 

[AlaynaMayGoatLady]

I feed only a small amount of whole oats, sunflower seeds, and a couple pounds of Chaffhaye (alfalfa) to my two goats. They also have a round bale of coastal hay available which they share with our cows and my horse. I feed minerals through the feed. They also get ACV.
I've never had a problem from the cold, but then, we live in FL, so our coldest nights are sometimes in the teens, but rarely do they get down that low.
I do put sweaters on my young kids to help them when it gets really cold. Because of the crazy temperature swings around here, they aren't used to steady cold like goats in other areas.

 

[AlaynaMayGoatLady]

I did not mention minerals, but I do have it available for them. They refuse them. I've been trying since May to get them to eat their minerals, but they just let it sit there. I've tried block and loose minerals. They are very picky eaters. We planned to change the sweet feed over to regular when this bag is through. It was mainly for the one goat being in milk.

Thanks everyone!

Have you ever tried putting out free-choice kelp and baking soda? (In separate dishes.) Mine eat it like candy, but turn up their picky noses at the other minerals most of the time.

 

[cteague]

I heard that in the winter u dont clean the barn out and just add shavings and straw on top and it creates heat. Is this true? And as long as they are out of the wind and have a buddy to snuggle with then they should be fine? Im concerned about my pygmys. They were shivering this morning. Its 12° and then there is wind chill. Its been one of those years where u have all 4 seasons in the same week kind of thing. Hope they have enough fluff. TIA

 

[Pearce Pastures]

Yes, many folks use deep litter method to help keep there goats warm. Pygmy goats are very hardy critters. If they have a nice shelter to keep the dry and out of the wind, they will be fine.

 

[cteague]

Ok thank u so much

 

[alsea1]

I would be careful of the deep litter thing. Along with that heat comes ammonia fumes. Ammonia fumes will wipe out the lungs of the animal thus bringing on pneumonia.
Healthy goats should not have a problem with cold. Plenty of hay and water at a temp that they will drink it and minerals they will eat should be enough.
The shelter should be built to keep them dry but yet well ventilated.
If you must put a coat on them if it makes you feel better. LOL
The four chamber stomach is really not designed to process a lot of concentrates aka grains. It is a system that works great for breaking down grasses and even better your prize rose bushes and other browse.
Care should be exercised when trying to bulk them up on hot feeds. If your not careful you will find yourself trying to nurse a very sick animal back to health.