Hello Reader,

As winter settles in, this month’s articles focus on keeping your goats healthy, safe, and well-cared for through the coldest part of the year. You’ll find practical guidance on winter housing, minerals, and preparing for cold-weather kidding, along with a beginner-friendly roadmap for the entire birthing process. And since December isn’t complete without a little holiday sweetness, we’re finishing with a festive eggnog cake that’s as comforting as a warm barn on a chilly morning.

Goats in Winter

Winter weather brings up a lot of questions from goat owners — whether they live in Florida or Canada — but goats handle cold far better than most people think. This article explains how to keep them safe with proper shelter, deep bedding, ventilation, and warm water, while avoiding common mistakes like heat lamps or goat coats. It also covers how to manage extreme cold, snowstorms, and newborn kids so your herd stays healthy all winter long.

Goat Minerals: Why, What, and How

Minerals are a critical part of goat health, and this article explains why goats need free-choice loose minerals rather than blocks, poured buckets, or “sheep and goat” mixes that don’t meet their nutritional needs. You’ll also learn what to look for in a good goat mineral and how to evaluate whether a product truly meets your herd’s needs.

Kidding in Winter

Winter kidding brings unique challenges because newborn goat kids have very little insulation and can get hypothermia or frostbite within minutes if they aren’t dried and warmed quickly. This article walks you through how to prepare — from using a baby monitor and keeping plenty of towels on hand to safely using heat lamps, blow dryers, and warming pads when temperatures drop. It also explains how to recognize and treat a chilled kid, prevent frozen ears or feet, and why some goat owners wind up with winter births even when it wasn’t their plan.

Goat Birthing: A Beginner’s Guide

If you’re new to goats, this guide walks you through the entire kidding journey by linking to the most important resources you’ll need — from confirming pregnancy and understanding nutrition to recognizing normal labor and knowing when to help. It also covers what to do after the kids arrive, including newborn checks, bonding issues, bottle-feeding basics, and common health concerns. Think of it as a roadmap that points beginners to each detailed article so you can feel confident and prepared for your first kidding season.

📄Eggnog Cake This cozy holiday dessert is one I’ve been baking since 2003, inspired by a recipe I stumbled on years ago and instantly fell in love with. Homemade cakes are so easy to whip up—especially with a stand mixer doing the hard work—and this simple, festive eggnog cake is perfect for the holidays or anytime you’re craving something sweet. Try this recipe!

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Happy Goatherding,

Deborah
& the Thrifty Homesteader Team

📚Want to Learn Even More?

• Did you know we have a Youtube Channel with over 700 videos? From goat care to soapmaking, cheesemaking, and more—you’ll find practical, real-life tips to support your homesteading journey.
• Looking to dive deeper? Visit the Goat Academy—your go-to resource for online courses on everything from goat health and nutrition to soapmaking, gardening, composting, and starting a homestead business. Whether you’re just getting started or want to level up your skills, there’s a course for you.
• Need ongoing guidance and community support? Goats 365 is our membership program that gives you full access to six comprehensive courses, live Q&A sessions, and an engaged group of goat owners who are learning and growing together—365 days a year.

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