09/22/2021 - Happy fall to many of you, and a happy spring to our friends in the southern hemisphere.
With summer giving into fall, it's a good time to start planning and getting started on your winter projects. Here in SE Colorado, our low temperatures are already flirting with freezing; an overnight low of 35F was a good indicator that things are going to quickly change.
Keeping them warm (and yourselves too) along with water are usually top of the "to-do" list for any goat farm and ranch. One frozen water hydrant in the winter can really make for a long day (and night)...plan ahead so you know you can keep them watered when the temps drop below freezing.
It's also a real good time to ensure you will have adequate hay and feed. Make your calls and contracts now as many farms are right in the middle of crop harvests. Getting a good supply of what you need to keep your goats healthy will save a lot of time and trouble when the last minute shoppers are in a buying frenzy for hay they should have gotten months beforehand!
Of course it goes without saying, but there are a number of goat producers that will be watching their herds kid during the winter months. If you live in a cold region, take some time now to plan ahead for these winter kiddings. And even if you don't plan on winter kiddings, plan ahead to make sure your goats environment is going to be safe, secure, dry, warm and largely wind and draft free. Goats can take it colder than one might think, but they still need some level of comfort during the cold months ahead.
During my next mini "info-blog" here, I will touch upon first aid kits for goats and those items that are essential to have on hand. We should all plan for that no matter what season of the year it is!
Happy fall y'all,
Gary
