I assume that goats could winter over in central Indiana without freezing if they have adequate protection from the elements.
But what is adequate?
Mine come into the barn where the rain and snow can't get at them. It's drafty, but not windy. I shut the doors so that the rarely seen coyote can't get in.
Then I guess I spoil them! They have a 3' by 9' (3' high) enclosed sleeping area off the floor. At the end away from the rug flap door is a 250 watt heat lamp, behind a very heavy mesh screen. These goats can heat themselves up just by laying next to one another!
The ducks & Chickens share the same size enclosure at the left of the goats rug door flap. They, too, have a 250 heat lamp. I keep them away from the goats by another heavy mesh screen.
Lasty year, I had all the animals having free range in their part of the barn, and they all tended to sleep snuggled up together at night.But racoons got in from some small cracks in the outer walls and killed all (18) of our ducks, so this year I decided to make the sleeping arrangements critter proof.
Raccoon Stew
1 (4 lb.) raccoon, cut into cubes
2 or 3 onions, sliced
2 to 3 c. canned tomatoes, chopped
Salt & pepper
Bay leaf
Dash of Worcestershire sauce
Carrots
Onions
Potatoes
Turnips
Brown the meat cubes slowly in a Dutch oven. There should be enough fat within the tissues that no additional oil is required. Add onions during the last of the browning process so they won’t become scorched. Reduce the heat, add enough tomatoes and liquid to cover the meat, season and cover. Simmer over low heat until almost completely tender. Add cubed vegetables of your choice and continue to simmer until vegetables are tender. Serve hot with biscuits.