
In order to thrive in cold climates, an animal must acclimate.
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Preseason Secrets of How to Keep Goats Warm in Cold Weather: Acclimation

Then waterproof ski pants, wool socks, insulated neoprene boots with additional insoles, hats, and thin gloves because thick gloves offer no dexterity. How do we do it? Layers, beginning with short-sleeved shirts in case we need bare arms for birthing procedures. However, after 49 years there, she still says, “I hate the cold. Her herd of dairy Nubians do so well that Tina finds goat-keeping simple. She has a streamlined operation with an insulated barn. It is considered the “banana belt” of Alaska. Tina Starr Judd operates Summer Starr Farm in Wasilla, Alaska where temperatures generally hover around -10 to 0F in the winter. But we persevere to prevent freezing goats. Pipes freeze, batteries and barn cameras only operate at certain temperatures, snow drifts and ice forms on paths between hourly barn checks, and power can be sporadic. Herdsmen raising goats in cold climates are a rare breed. The upside? You don’t have to worry about chilling the milk.”

You know that little space between the doe’s thigh and the udder? That’s the warmest spot … put your hand there … makes them jump a little, but keeps you going.

“Milking goats outside when it is 20 below, my hands start to freeze after the second goat. She and her herd see a hard freeze every month of the year and winters can last from September until May. Photo Credit: Denise Wilhelmĭenise Wilhelm and her husband moved from New Mexico to Delta, Alaska, with extremes of -45F to -68F. Princess on the milk stand in Delta, Alaska -20F.
