More ?? about moving the goats....

[full sun]

As I posted before, we are moving to a new state. Currently, my goats are in a fenced-in dirt yard. They have constant access to hay and they are fed a little grain in the morning and a little at night. I give them BOSS and dandelions and leaves occassionally. Now we are moving to huge lush pastures. How do I acclimate them? I don't want any trouble with bloat or anything...

Any thoughts are appreciated!

Jennifer

P.S. I had them tested for TB and brucellosis. They got their tags and their health certs today! While I was at it, we did a CL and CAE test (still waiting for those results). Oh it was a day of torture for the goats!

[TexCountryWoman]

First of all, good for you for getting all those tests....you will find great relief when the results all come back negative (keeping my fingers crossed for you!)...and you will find that you will have a much easier time selling their offspring and commanding higher prices.

When you get your goats to their new lush pasture, can you keep them up in a small enclosure for a week or two and just let them out into the lush part for an hour or so a day? Then they could slowly get used to the new forage.

If not, supply the hay and feed that they are used to now, don't change a single thing. You don't want them to be hungry for their hay and grain and have to fill up in lush pastures instead. later they can, but not right away.

Keep fresh baking soda out there at all times so they can eat it if they feel the need...especially at the beginning.

Monitor their rumens...check them to see if they are bloating. See if their stomachs are swelling up on the left side and getting hard.

Sometimes you have to just watch them and go by your gut instincts....if you have a bad feeling, get them out of there! Build a small holding pen asap.

[Sondra Peterson]

Agree on all of the above. It is always recommended that goats be fed hay prior to turning out on lush green grass especially after a rain or damp dewy mornings.
Also would be a good idea to take along the feed you are using now because any change even from bag to bag with the move and all is added stress to them.

[xoxoGOATSxoxo]

I also agree with the above ideas, but I have one more (rather foolish) suggestion. Ii's just, you said you were open to any ideas, so...
If the pastures are not more than a few acres, and are not too woody, you might be abled to mow the vegitation really short with a lawn mower or something like that. Then the goats wouldn't have as much to eat. The idea just occured to me, and I know it's really stupid and you probably won't have time, with the move and all. Good Luck, anyway!

[Egypt Run]

I would make sure the goats CD&T shots are up to date. It really helps fight the bloat. I will not let my girls out on grass until they have had their spring booster shots.
Then feed them lot of good hay before you let them out on pasture and in the begining wait until the sun has dried the morning dew.
Steve