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Dr. Ronald P. Rogers CHIROPRACTOR Support for your body's natural healing capabilities 270-384-5554 Click here for details 
 
Columbia Gas Dept. GAS LEAK or GAS SMELL Contact Numbers 24 hrs/ 365 days 270-384-2006 or 9-1-1 Call before you dig 
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Goat coats and winter pet care By Donna Rieder In response to Pam Capozziello's question: I've raised goats for over 17 years, and although I know many people like to dress their pets up in little coats, I don't recommend doing so with livestock. While your average housedog might appreciate the added warmth for a quick trip outside to relieve themselves, it's because they live indoors and are more used to warmth than cold. Livestock, and wild animals, are acclimated to living outdoors, and are designed to do so, even in extreme temperatures. Their fur is designed to trap body heat and has the ability to "puff up" in order to hold even more body heat when temperatures plummet. While some horse owners (myself included) may put waterproof blankets on their pastured horses, it's mostly because horses will stand outside the barn in the rain rather than go in and stay dry, so it helps protect them when the weather goes from wet to cold. NEVER put a blanket on a wet horse. Goats (but not sheep) however, will avoid rain all any cost, and prefer to stay in the barn. No matter how cold it gets, putting a blanket on them will prevent their fur from being able to fluff up and trap heat, and will make them colder than if they didn't have a blanket on. You may see them shivering, yes, but that's nature's way of generating heat. The best way to help your goats get through the coldest weather, is to keep hay in front of them at all times, as digesting food also generates heat. I also use and highly recommend the use of heated water buckets; it's important for feed conversion for the goats to drink enough water, and they tend to not want to drink enough water if it's cold. When it gets super-cold, I'll mix a cup or two of molasses with boiling water just to thin it out and pour that into the water bucket; molasses is full of nutrients and also gives the goats a little energy boast, and they drink it like Kool-aid! Comments re: Questions for farmers with goats This story was posted on 2026-01-22 12:11:38
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Have comments or corrections for this story? Use our contact form and let us know. More articles from topic Farm and Garden:
Nominees sought for 2026 Kentucky Leopold Conservation award Registration opens for 2026 KY Fruit and Vegetable Conference KAFC approves $250K loan in Green Co. Getting farm fresh foods into Kentucky schools Drought conditions expected to hang around Ag Tag donations set another record for 2025 Reminder: CAIP application period opens Aug 11 Hart County farmers honored with Leopold Conservation Award Beef Field Day program on Aug 25 Steve Olt of Greensburg appointed to KAFC Board View even more articles in topic Farm and Garden |
 
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