Wean off heat lamp

[angela0408]

So my 8 month old Nigerian dwarf got pneumonia and although thought she was going to die, my first case since having goats for 4 years and sheep for 12. She has pulled through and has recovered. As recommended by the vet I had her under a heat lamp. So now 9 days later I have a little fleece dog coat in her still, and have been raising the heat lamp by an inch or 2 for last couple of days. It was down to -10C over night, but now we’re heading into the range of -2 to 1 C this coming week. So do I just turn off the heat lamp now, continue to raise every day, just have it on at night? She’s still in her pen yet. Release date? Thoughts?

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

I would take the coat off first. It can interfere with them being able to raise and lower their hair which helps with temperature regulating. Than I would see how much time it's spending under the lamp. If it's getting warm enough just shutting it off and seeing how it does is what I would do.

 

[angela0408]

Well, she’s in a relatively small pen, so it’s pretty tough to get away from the heat lamp. But I can start with taking th me coat off.

 

[chickens really]

Well, she’s in a relatively small pen, so it’s pretty tough to get away from the heat lamp. But I can start with taking th me coat off.

Expand her pen also so she has a choice of the heat or not and then slowly take it away..
I hope she feels better soon. Poor kid..

 

[angela0408]

I can do that. should i still take her coat off?

 

[chickens really]

I can do that. should i still take her coat off?

Well you can decide once you see how she is doing with a bigger pen and only the one warm area..

 

[angela0408]

Ok, thanks! Sounds like a good plan.