Lost one???

[evermoor]

We had a app. month old buckling die overnite. He was a bottle baby and was drinking just fine, but this morning was dead and very bloated. They have access to water and a little grass hay, no grain and chickens are around. Was this clostridial, overeating, or what?? Should I be worried about the other babies. Thanks for the input.

[BlueHeronFarm]

When a young one like that dies with no other symptoms, I always assume it is clostridial. (enterotoxemia) The name overeating disease is often a misnomer - the bacteria build up whenever the regular gut functions are compromised. Though it can occur from overeating, too.

I'm so sorry about your little guy. Just keep an eye on other kids - this is a prime age for that. And make sure you keep the C/D antitoxin on hand.

Vaccinate them if you haven't already.

We pulled one out last year. Healthy, big, growthy kid. It started as bloat - we think from nibbling too much grass in her pen - but quickly turned. We did not have the antitoxin, but were lucky that a neighbor/friend did. Very scary.