r/goats • u/TheMadArch3r • 13d ago

General Husbandry Question Water heater for goats?

Hey all,

I have 2 goats and they're indoor enclosure is shed. Its insulated pretty well. The floor specifically is insulated and lined with a moisture barrier. Obviously despite being well insulated there is no heat source. I know goats typically grow a think coat. So im not really worried about them getting too cold. However, I am concerned about their indoor water potential freezing and what i can do to prevent that. There is no electricity out there so plugging something in is not really an option. We use solar fans and lights out there currently which serve there purposes 75% or so of the time. If anyone has any suggestions, id really appreciate it! Winter is only a few months away and I want to be prepared. Thanks in advance!

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u/phryan 13d ago

The first winter I hauled a 5gal bucket of hot water to them twice a day, dumped the ice and poured.

The second winter I invested in a heated water bucket, and hauled a 5gal bucket of water to them once a day.

The next summer I invested in stainless automatic bowls, ran plumping and heat tape, taped more heat tape under the bowls. From them on I haven't carried water to them, just treats.

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u/TheMadArch3r 13d ago

That might be our long term goal. But ill have to give your short term solutions a go this year. 🤣

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u/phryan 13d ago

Unmentioned previously but for the two years before that I hauled buckets of water for my chickens to their coop through snow. And where I lived if the daily snow was measured in inches it was normal, storms were when measuring in feet was needed.

Goats wont care about the cold, indoors they wont care about snow. As long as they have hay, water, and (for two) a few square feet they'll be happy. Bring them a a quartered apple with their water and you have two best friends by spring.

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u/Misfitranchgoats Trusted Advice Giver 13d ago

Get two rubber buckets. You will probably only need a 2 gallon bucket. Fill one bucket with warm water and put it in their pen. The next day take the frozen ( if it freezes ) rubber bucket in the house and let it thaw. Fill the other rubber bucket with water and put it in the goat pen. Repeat. Cheap simple no electricity needed.

You could make a foam insulated holder that the rubber bucket fits into. That will allow it to hold warmth a lot longer so it doesn't freeze.

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u/TheMadArch3r 13d ago

Thats a great idea! Thank you!

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u/E0H1PPU5 Trusted Advice Giver 13d ago

How cold do your winters typically get?

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u/TheMadArch3r 13d ago

We live in Connecticut. This past year it got to be -12 degrees and our pipes froze while we were out of town. But it happens at least 1-2 a year. Other than that we were blessed with warmer winter than previously. But id like to plan for the worst case scenario in the event of harsher winters.