Preparing the chickens and goats for winter is a big job. I do what I can to protect them from the cold. Everyone says not to use heat lamps in the coop, but I have no choice. We have 50 below on the thermometer several times every year. Add to that the fact that my girls are old retired ladies, I’ve got to do whatever I can for them.
The goats are still young, and their winter coats have come in so they’ll do okay. I have an insulated little house inside for them and I keep deep bedding in there. It does make it tough to clean in the winter. I have to roll back the bedding, clean out all the dirty hay and then roll the bedding back.
It seems simple when you say it, but it requires me to crawl around on my hands and knees. Even that in itself is not that difficult, but add in the fact that the goats all follow me the whole time I’m working. They love to chew on my clothes, step on my hands, and keep in mind they weigh nearly 100 pounds. The best is when they start head-butting fights with me in between them.
The worst, or maybe just the most humorous, is when they all have to get in the little inside house when I am in there. I’m a fat old woman, it is not an easy fit, the goats and me. I sometimes feel like I’m in one of those cartoons where several people try to get out a door all at the same time and get stuck. It has happened more than once. I can’t help but laugh.
May there always be a spot for you under the heat lamp.
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