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Posted by Diana on October 07, 2001 at 23:52:34:
In Reply to: Re: Cold Weather posted by Helene on October 07, 2001 at 19:46:44:
We're in Upstate NY. When we rescued our 2 first goats, we didn't know anything about goatkeeping, and got a book on the way home that said to leave their bedding in for the winter to keep them warmer as it composted and fermented.
And, actually, we've followed that advice pretty much over the years in the main pen (concrete floor), between late December and early April(except for wet or icky spots). We start with a good 4 inch layer of pine shavings (called kiln dried pine shavings, and come wrapped in hay bale sized brown paper bags). Then we leave the hay that they waste from their manger if it's not wet from walking in and out if it's snowed(if it is, we pitchfork out that layer). We routinely put more shavings over the hay to insure dryness, and let more dry hay accumulate.
In the former horse running shed (dirt floor), wrapped like an L around the barn, where they have chosen to spend most of their time during the day, we let the waste hay accumulate (except for any damp areas) from November through May so that by January they have a nice mat). Any hay that is near the doors, we remove, so that it won't tend to wick up moisture from the outside. Eating the waste hay has not been a problem-these spoiled little monkeys won't touch it once it's on the ground!