Prepping the Homestead for Winter: Goats, Ducks, and a Cozy Barn

I know, I know—it still feels early to be talking about winter. But if there’s one thing I’ve learned with animals, it’s that winter prep isn’t something you can just do in a weekend. It takes time, a little trial-and-error, and more than a few kid interruptions along the way.

We’ve already started looking at what needs to be done for the goats and ducks so everyone stays cozy once the weather turns. That means checking and creating shelters, making sure the barn won’t have drafts, and planning for plenty of dry bedding. It’s not glamorous work, but it saves a lot of stress when the cold actually sets in.

For the goats, we’re looking at how much hay we’ll need to stockpile and double-checking that water won’t freeze too quickly when temps drop. The ducks, on the other hand, need their pen snugged up enough to block the wind but not so sealed off that it gets damp. Finding that balance takes some tinkering, especially since this is our first round of winter prep here.

And then there’s the “systems check” side of things—feed storage, making sure buckets aren’t cracked, organizing tools so we’re not digging through the shed with frozen fingers later. These are the kinds of little tasks that don’t feel urgent in September, but come December, I’ll be so glad we tackled them.

The kids pitch in where they can—filling water buckets, hauling light loads. It’s not the fastest way to get things done, but it turns the work into family time.

So even though the air still feels more like summer than winter, we’re slowly getting ready. Winter on a homestead comes whether we’re prepared or not, and I’d much rather greet it with a barn full of hay, cozy animals, and maybe even a little peace of mind.