I have 6 does in a 10x20 shed. They are in half of it. Keyhole feeder and alfalfa in other half. After reading numberous posts, I pulled the flashing off the side of the shed (only one side was open to outside) I have noticed two things. The first is that it no longer smells in there. The second is that it is noticably cooler in there.

The question. I know that the bedding is what keeps them warm but it is starting to get deep. Can I take out about a foot on a regular basis while keeping the base down for the warmth or will that mess up the manure breakdown that is making the heat? Thanks

-- Dee (gdgtur@goes.com), January 13, 2002

Answers

I've always worked on the therory it's what you feed that keeps your stock warm. If the bedding isn't frozen then it must be generating heat. Yes removing it will remove that heat, but if room is a problem then make room!

-- Ross (amulet@istar.ca), January 13, 2002.

Ross is right about the feed. Nothing keeps them warmer than a belly full of hay. Dee go ahead and take off a foot or so of the bedding, and replace some of it with fresh bedding. Remember to always do the knee test. Kneel down in the barn, if your knees get wet or you smell ammonia, than your clean bedding isn't dry/deep enough. One more thing you will notice with your barn more open, an increase in health! The worst thing to do to stock is to love them to much in the winter, they need fresh air and sunshine, even the infants! Get them babies out of the house folks :) Vicki

-- Vicki McGaugh TX (vickilonesomedoe@hotmail.com), January 13, 2002.

Thanks guys, guess you know what I'm gonna be doing today. I have noticed that the one kid that had the respiratory problem cleared up over the summer and seems okay still since the flashing is off.

These goats are spoiled with three different kinds of hay. My supplier didn't have low quality hay for bedding this year so what they don't eat gets dropped down. It's really nice hay but I didn't pay alot for it and he also gets the same for straw as he does this nice hay so....

Oh, by the way, thanks to whomever suggested using the wood ashes in the goat barn. I think that also helps with the smell.

-- Dee (gdgtur@goes.com), January 14, 2002.

I was curious about the comment of wood ashes in the goat barn. I tried to find a thread under goats general but didn't. How is it used and what are the benefits? Always looking for clever ways to re-use things. Thanks!

-- Tricia Cribbins (cribbins@agalis.net), January 14, 2002.

Tricia,

It was listed under "What do you do with wood ashes" or something like that. One poster said they spread them in the goat barn to absorb some of the odors. I tried it and it seems to work. Probably listed under general.

-- Dee (gdgtur@goes.com), January 16, 2002.