Moving Day for the Goaties

All summer our goats enjoyed their summer lodging across the road. They had a woven wire fence to keep them safe at night and then went out in flexi-netting during the day to nibble and browse in the woods and fields. This weekend I had a feeling that snow was on the way. It was time to move the goats to winter quarters where they could come to the barn on wintry stormy days. Having all of the animals in close proximity also makes chore time easier .

The goats were quite concerned to watch their house being pulled away and seemed a bit perplexed. After the shelter was in place, we walked the goats over. Fern and Charlotte were most agreeable to the idea but Periwinkle and Valentine complained the entire way. Their shelter now sits on the hill up from the barn. As long as weather holds and the snow is not too deep, they will have access to this open area.

This morning our first storm of the winter hit in force. The winds were ferocious and snow blew all day leaving more than a foot on the ground. Early in the day, we walked the goats down to the barn as they were huddled in the corner trying to get out of the wintry conditions. At the barn, they can stay out of the wind yet still have access to a small outdoor paddock area. They were most content to just stay right inside all day. The sheep on the other hand, enjoyed investigating the empty goat shelter. They looked around as if to say, “where did those goats go?” Tonight the sheep are snuggled in the goat shelter and the goats are snuggled in the barn.