As the cold weather once again approaches, we see many concerned goat owners on Facebook wondering how to keep their beloved goats safe, healthy and warm in freezing temperatures. This concern is understandable, particularly for goats that originated in a warmer climate, like our Nigerian Dwarf goats.
Caring for goats in winter is really quite simple, though, so let’s get to the basics, followed by a discussion on additional practices that can help you raise hardy, healthy goats in cold weather.
Hay
Rumen activity, the process by which a goat digests its food, generates quite a lot of heat. Long stem roughage in the form of grass or alfalfa hay is essential to a healthy, fully functioning rumen. Keep hay out free choice for your goats all winter. This means all night and all day. If you lock them in their shelter at night, put a hay feeder inside, along with a source of clean, unfrozen water. Continue reading “Caring for Goats in Winter”