Older Doe Condition

Blossomgapfarm · #1 01/14/08, 07:46 PM

I have an 8 year old doe that has not been in milk for about 3 months. Her condition is poor. She has her nice winter coat but don't let that fool you - she feels mighty skinny. The other does condition has increased since she was dried up and all the others are fine - not fat by any means but not nearly as skin and bones as she is. Molly is the herd queen and is dominant for food. I have been feeding all the girls (all 3 of them) together and she gets her share - big pig. I am going to begin feeding her separate and adding beat pulp and corn oil to get her condition up over the next few months. She was wormed about a month ago and her eyelids and gums are very pink. My question is whether older does have a more difficult time getting their healthy condition back? Anyone else with this experience?

jBlaze · #2 01/14/08, 11:07 PM

If she were a horse, I would say try dental work, but I am not sure that is a problem in goats. Sorry, that's about my only thought.
I too would think her condition would have improved by now. Minerals?

DocM · #3 01/15/08, 12:32 AM

Get a fecal done. That will rule out parasites (I've seen plenty of pink eyelids in worm-ridden goats). Feed her separately. Is she bred? Add BOSS instead of corn oil. I am battling a skinny 9 yr old now. Her teeth aren't what they once were. I put her on allegra senior horse and she's putting on weight nicely now. It's smaller and easier to chew than most other feeds. I also pound her alfalfa pellets a little to break them up. Make sure your girl has adequate copper.

hoofinitnorth · #4 01/15/08, 10:58 AM

This may be a silly question, but are you sure she's thin and not just dairy? You can refer to the various conditioning methods to be sure you're really dealing with a thin goat. My personal preference is the one that has a scale of 1-9, like the Henneke scale for horses (but yes, it is for goats). I've posted a link to it in the archives here not long ago.

You sound like you know the difference... but just in case!

Patty0315 · #5 01/15/08, 11:04 AM

Dry her off if she is that bad.

Patty

sorry missed she was dry .

susanne · #6 01/15/08, 11:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Patty0315

Dry her off if she is that bad.

Patty

she is dried up since three month

susanne · #7 01/15/08, 11:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Blossomgapfarm

I have an 8 year old doe that has not been in milk for about 3 months. Her condition is poor. She has her nice winter coat but don't let that fool you - she feels mighty skinny. The other does condition has increased since she was dried up and all the others are fine - not fat by any means but not nearly as skin and bones as she is. Molly is the herd queen and is dominant for food. I have been feeding all the girls (all 3 of them) together and she gets her share - big pig. I am going to begin feeding her separate and adding beat pulp and corn oil to get her condition up over the next few months. She was wormed about a month ago and her eyelids and gums are very pink. My question is whether older does have a more difficult time getting their healthy condition back? Anyone else with this experience?

since when do you have her? as suggested here already, i would have her teeth checked out. it is also possible that her condition is age related, if other wasting diseases are ruled out.

Patty0315 · #8 01/15/08, 11:49 AM

I would be feeding a free choice good hay add to that alfalfa pellets and her grain mix. If she is bred it is really important to get weight on her . Beet pulp is good some like it soaked in warm water . Make sure they have access to good clean water . If there water intake is not high enough they will not eat enough . Also a GOOD free choice mineral . You could also hit her with b vit and bo-se if needed in your area.

As others have said check teeth and do a fecal .

Patty

Blossomgapfarm · #9 01/15/08, 03:33 PM

I will check her teeth this evening and see if there is a problem. Will do a fecal this weekend.
Believe me - she is beyond dairy. Skinny - a bit thin would not bother me.
She has free choice minerals best quality my feed store had - higher copper than the other stuff had but I don't remember the amounts right off hand. I would like to add BOSS but I end up fighting the fire ants for them. Here in Louisiana, even in January they are a problem. If she does not improve in the next couple of weeks, I will look into the allegra senior horse feed.