Getting Fat!

[GoatLove]

I have 3 wethers. 2 are 2 years old and the other is just over a year old. I see that they are beginning to get a little chunky! I was feeding them a couple handfuls of grain in the morning, but I am thinking I should just stop feeding them grain all together. What do you think?

[lgslgs]

Do they have ample browse available? If so, they don't need the grain and I'd just give them a tiny taste once in a while as a special training treat. A half dozen grains of corn is plenty.

Also, are they actually getting fat or are they just sprouting well developed rumens? On our goats, we look for lean hips and shoulders and we like to see them have well developed musculature in their thighs. As long as they are all buff and muscular looking, we don't worry about them sprouting ridiculous beach ball sized rumens that make them look like they have tiny heads.

Lynda

[GoatLove]

They don't have browse available unless I bring it to them-which I do about twice a week. So, I will keep giving them a few handfuls of grain in the morning.

I guess you could call them well-developed. A few people asked me if they were pregnant!

[lgslgs]

Originally Posted by GoatLove

A few people asked me if they were pregnant!

Our "Big Sandy" gets that all of the time. I really need to get and end of the day photo of her so you all can see her Rumen-esque figure.

Lynda

[AnnaS]

I'm thinking what you're thinking! Wethers don't need grain unless they are young and growing (under 6 months) or getting fat for the freezer.

I have a yearling wether who gets no grain at all and he's in very good condition- maybe too good, he's starting to get fat elbows.

[GoatLove]

Originally Posted by lgslgs

Our "Big Sandy" gets that all of the time. I really need to get and end of the day photo of her so you all can see her Rumen-esque figure.

Lynda

Ha, ha, too funny! I would love to see her

Anna-do your goaties get browse all of the time? Mine don't unless I bring it to them. So I'm wondering if they NEED a little grain because of the no browse?

[ozark_jewels]

Grown wethers do not need grain, browse or no browse. A good hay will give them the fiber and nutrition they need as long as they are getting loose minerals as well. Browse is of course best, but if they don't have free-choice browse, then a good hay will keep them happy. And yes, a full, "pregnant-looking" rumen is a good thing.....as long as it is due to rumen and not the pot-bellied look of worms or stuntedness.

[GoatLove]

Originally Posted by ozark_jewels

Grown wethers do not need grain, browse or no browse. A good hay will give them the fiber and nutrition they need as long as they are getting loose minerals as well. Browse is of course best, but if they don't have free-choice browse, then a good hay will keep them happy. And yes, a full, "pregnant-looking" rumen is a good thing.....as long as it is due to rumen and not the pot-bellied look of worms or stuntedness.

Ok. Now I am a little worried with the pot-bellied look of worms or stuntedness. What are the symptons of both of these?

[ozark_jewels]

Well, if your wethers are good-sized, you don't have to worry about them being stunted. Stunted is just when an animal does not grow to its full potential for some reason. Most common reasons being: Worminess, cocci, starved for nutrition.
Wormy goat will have an unthrifty appearence. Rough hair coat. Not enough flesh over their ribs and hipbones, yet a big gut. That is what I was referring to. Most big bellies are just a fine full rumen, but occaisonally, you'll see a "worm-gut". Goats with a "worm-gut" are easy to spot, they don't look healthy. I doubt your boys have that. Wethers get huge rumens when properly fed and usually look "pregnant" to the novice eye.

[GoatLove]

Thanks Ozark-It sounds like they are fine. I just wasn't ready for the "pregnant" appearance. I didn't know that wethers would get that "round" look!