Dealing With Goats in Cold Weather

Reader Contribution by Maggie Bonham
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At the homestead in Montana this past November and December, we had brutal cold with temperatures dropping below zero for weeks. Naturally, I was fearful the goats would have problems with it.

Unlike other livestock, goats are particularly susceptible to bad weather such as wind and rain. They’re not like cattle and other livestock that can deal with bad weather easily. Goats need enough shelter to get out of the rain and the wind. Without it, you can have your flock succumb to hypothermia and frostbite.

We keep the goats in a pen behind the barn where we store the hay. The goats have overhead shelter, a windbreak on the west side, and a natural windbreak on the north side. They get morning sun and enough sun from the south to keep them comfortable in the winter. Water, however, is always a problem. We use a large heated bucket and fill the bucket twice daily. The goats get plenty of water and food, but they do go through more hay and grain when the weather gets nasty.

Recognizing a Problem

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