Goat Coats 2 comments

Molly modeling her coat

We’ve been checking on the goats several times a day with the frequency increasing as the temperatures have dipped to record lows.  Molly, our Oberhassli, has a very thick coat (and a layer of fat on account of being a bit spoiled) that seems to be serving her quite well.  I haven’t noticed any signs that she’s bothered by the cold.  Obsidian, our Nubian, however kidded this year and we milked her until a few weeks ago.  She’s been putting on weight and is probably at about her ideal weight, but doesn’t have quite the thick coat that Molly does.  We’ve noticed her shivering when we are up to visit them which has worried me.  When we aren’t around they spend inclement weather in their “barn” and they sleep together to warm each other, but when she comes in to the yard she starts shivering.

I had seen many reference to goats in coats or sweaters in the winter.  Many folks simply use regular human clothes for them with relative success.  I decided with this weather that I would feel better if Obie had a coat.  Due to our tendency to hoard garish and outlandish scrap fabrics on discount for various Burning Man related projects I knew that we had at least some scraps of fleece in the stash.  Fortunately I happened upon several yards of a tie-dye like pattern that Bengt had purchased and quickly guilted him out of it in order to make goat coats. 

I used this link as a start, although I think my “design” is simpler:  http://kinne.net/goatcoat.htm

I made no darts and no belly flaps.  I did use the recommendation to make the ties high on

Molly and Obsidian playing in their coats

 one side so they’d be under the coat and less likely to snag or be pulled on though.  I left a vent in the front seam to allow for more movement while not sacraficing length.  The ties were double stitched and I did a X reinforcement, they shouldn’t come loose easily.  They are simply tied in a square knot off to the girl’s side.  The ties themsleves are made of scrap fleece in the hopes that it would be more comfortable than alternatives.

Molly’s ended up being a little short (neck to tail), but otherwise they seem to fit well.  We did two fittings before I sewed them.  I think it worked out pretty well for probably 30 minutes worth of work.  We’ll see how clean they actually keep them.  The fleece should wash up well, but I don’t have enough fabric to make a second set so I can swap them for washing while it remains cold.