Cold Weather Goat Care

Although they are hardy farm animals, goats do require a higher level of shelter from snow and cold. Many goat owners bring them into a barn and provide a thick layer of bedding for them and safe access to the outdoors where they are able to warm in the sun and absorb important Vitamin D.

A three-sided shelter with the open side away from the wind direction will help keep them warm. Goats can easily become chilled if the weather is rainy or snowy and they do not have adequate roughage. Some people think that increasing a goat's grain intake during the winter will help keep them warm. What most effectively helps goats create their own heat, is roughage. Keeping hay in front of them will help goats maintain their body heat. 

It is important that you are pro-active with regular parasite control for your goats. Research is showing that many types of worm larvae lay dormant until the animal stressed. An animal that is not fed properly, is too cold and does not have access to fresh water, will become stressed. When this happens worm larvae will hatch and migrate throughout your goats' body with devastating effects.

Support your goats through the winter by taking pro-active steps. Here are a few things to remember:

• Shelters are in good repair - covered with no area for leakage, strong enough to withstand winds and snow, give enough protection to keep the goats out of the cold, damp weather.
• Enough shelters for all animals.  Remember goats do not always share well. You might need to add some wooden pallets to "divide" the shelter areas so more goats can use the shelter.
• If feed areas are not in shelter areas, some sort of cover should be available that will keep the goats and food dry.

• Have enough paddocks/areas if you need to switch goats around - as an example, one or two goats are not being allowed in shelters or not allowed to eat their share - these goats would need to be in an area of their own.
• Goats are up to date on worming and hoof trimming.
• Remember goats need extra nutrition during the cold winter time - feeding grain or some alfalfa in the night time allows their rumens to work through the night helping to keep them warm.
• Have goat coats or people sweatshirts cut to fit ready for goats if you see some shivering.

• Fences in good repair.
• Quarantine pen available should you need it.
• Have your hay in storage, covered well. If you find a "steaming" hay bale remove immediately from other hay to keep from starting a fire.
• Have grain stored in covered containers - winter time causes unwanted little creatures to search for easy sources of grain.
• Have extra water available should lines freeze or other reason for not being able to have fresh water.
• Be prepared to provide hot water to the goats on days where their water is very cold or has ice in it or is ice!
• Start immune enhancer/vitamins to help goats stay healthy through the winter. These can be human holistic/herbal type or regular immune enhancer vitamins. 
• Keep minerals (should include selenium) available for the goats at all times in a dry area.
• Start on probiotic powder when feeding grain to keep their rumens at a good functioning level of good bacteria.
• Make sure your first aid kit is well stocked - you may find a storm is brewing and you cannot get out to the feed/farm store.
• Check lumbar score of each goat often – lumbar score shows what condition the goat is in.
• Check coat thickness to be sure they are ready for winter - if selenium deficient, coat may not be able to grow thick for winter cold.
• Keep an eye on hay and grain to be sure there is no growing mold brought by winter moist weather.
• Try and keep other wild critters from getting into your goat's water buckets - they may be carrying leptospirosis.
• Have older goats?  They are going to need special attention.
• If you have pregnant does who may have due dates during winter weather - be prepared with kidding stalls and kidding supplies.  These does may also need some special care so watching them closely is advised.  If you do have kid goats born in the cold weather, advice is "keep them warm" and the doe's body warmth is sometimes not enough.  If the kid goat seems chilled or your barn is cold and the heat lamp is just not keeping the area warm enough I advise bringing the kid goats inside – don’t lose them from the cold.