What is "AC"?

titansrunfarm · #1 12/01/08, 10:35 AM

Pertaining to wethers and urinary calculi, that is. I have been reading here that goats that get grain as my pet goats do can get calculi (why?) so I'd like to keep "AC" available in the emergency kit. Is it Apple cider, activated charcoal, arnica/chamomille?

Bearfootfarm · #2 12/01/08, 10:51 AM

Ammonium Chloride. It keeps the urine acidic and keeps stones from forming.

It can be mixed with their feed

http://fiascofarm.com/goats/stones.htm

http://www.hoeggergoatsupply.com/xca...productid=3485

Chaty · #3 12/01/08, 11:11 AM

I give it to my bucks also and sometimes to the does too as does can get it also...I get mine from Hoeggers and when the weather changes I give it to mine. Especially the males...

Backfourty,MI. · #4 12/01/08, 12:59 PM

I've had a buck with UC before & it's not fun, he's fine now but alot of people don't catch it before it's too late & they die a very painful death. If you have males & they get any type of grain they should be getting Ammonium Chloride EVERY single day, it is very important even as a precautionary measure.

fishhead · #5 12/01/08, 03:25 PM

It's better to feed it daily then to wait until your goat is plugged up and in pain.

Minelson · #6 12/01/08, 04:04 PM

I just posted my recipe for daily AC on this thread
Update: wether with Urinary Calc...
Frankie is 1/2ND 1/2Pygmy

titansrunfarm · #7 12/01/08, 05:37 PM

Thanks for all the responses. I will order the AC from Hoegger supply. I only feed him and his doe friend grain to give them something to do while the horses eat am and pm, would it be wiser to feed him some other type of treat? Any suggestions? Both the goats go out with the horses and eat pasture, orchardgrass/timothy/clover hay, and misc. weeds and vines and some loose goat minerals also. Both are fat and happy. I have about an acre of overgrown woodland we plan to fence this winter and allow them to graze afterwards.

Minelson · #8 12/01/08, 05:41 PM

Black Oil sunflower seeds (BOSS) is a good treat or just alfalfa pellets...for the goats and the horses

I don't grain my horses...they each get a cup of BOSS every night. The 3 goats get 1/2 cup for all 3 (mini goats) The horses like it enough that it brings them in from the pasture.

titansrunfarm · #9 12/01/08, 05:52 PM

Thanks Minelson! We already have BOSS here for the wild birds so that will be easy to fix, don't really use alfalfa pellets, but do use soaked beet pulp here in the winter for the old mare. Funny how you just assume goat feed must be good for goats never thought it could be a problem. Would never want to harm them with ignorance. Good site for learning this is.

Chaty · #10 12/01/08, 07:08 PM

They can have beet pulp also. It wont hurt him and it might keep him from getting UC.

mamadelbosque · #11 12/01/08, 09:33 PM

So, should all goats who are given even just a little bit of grain be given AC?? We've been giving our two little does about 1/2 cup twice a day (mostly just so they get used to us and come into the barn at night)... Could we/should we switch to like alfalfa pellets and/or sunflower seeds? Or should I just add AC to their feed... and if so, how much?

Thanks in advance - I haven't read anything about AC before!!

Bearfootfarm · #12 12/01/08, 09:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mamadelbosque

So, should all goats who are given even just a little bit of grain be given AC?? We've been giving our two little does about 1/2 cup twice a day (mostly just so they get used to us and come into the barn at night)... Could we/should we switch to like alfalfa pellets and/or sunflower seeds? Or should I just add AC to their feed... and if so, how much?

Thanks in advance - I haven't read anything about AC before!!

It's mainly only a problem with males

Minelson · #13 12/01/08, 11:19 PM

1 teaspoon per 150lb goat. Do not over dose. I give Frankie 1/4 teaspoon a day..he weighs 45 lbs. I don't give any to Gretta and Flossie. They get very little grain...just some oats mixed with a bit of cracked corn for a treat...and when that is gone I'll just give them alfalfa pellets and BOSS. But even with no grain I want Frankie on the AC.

Chaty · #14 12/02/08, 07:49 AM

You can always drench them with it. I only do it when the weather changes and if by chance they get into the does feed. Does can get it but rarely. I dont do it every day as if can lose its effectiveness over time.

Minelson · #15 12/02/08, 03:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Minelson

1 teaspoon per 150lb goat. Do not over dose. I give Frankie 1/4 teaspoon a day..he weighs 45 lbs. I don't give any to Gretta and Flossie. They get very little grain...just some oats mixed with a bit of cracked corn for a treat...and when that is gone I'll just give them alfalfa pellets and BOSS. But even with no grain I want Frankie on the AC.

OK..Now I'm hearing from Vicki that AC is not dosed by weight....1 teaspoon per any size goat she says in the other AC thread. Justed wanted to give a heads up on this thread too.

powderhooves · #16 12/02/08, 06:31 PM

So I worked myself into a migraine worrying about my wethers....got the slippery elm from the health food store. Having trouble finding the AC locally. If the feed store can't get it for me I'll order online. I swear I'm going to end up killing one of them out of ignorance. Sure do appreciate all the support and information you all provide.

But...since misery loves company I had to tell my friend who started raising dairy goats this year ...got her all worked up too about her wether.

Minelson · #17 12/02/08, 06:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by powderhooves

So I worked myself into a migraine worrying about my wethers....got the slippery elm from the health food store. Having trouble finding the AC locally. If the feed store can't get it for me I'll order online. I swear I'm going to end up killing one of them out of ignorance. Sure do appreciate all the support and information you all provide.

But...since misery loves company I had to tell my friend who started raising dairy goats this year ...got her all worked up too about her wether.

I know how you feel...exactly! This is supposed to be easy. The 3 things I obsess about most are 1. saddle fit on my horse 2. quality of hay 3. EVERYTHING about my goats!!!

powderhooves · #18 12/02/08, 08:04 PM

So....I was wondering tonight....what is it about these little creatures that has captured my heart. They are ornery and sometimes just a pain in the ass but they make me smile. Why??? And....despite the anxiety I can't imagine my life without them. Tonight I treated them to BOSS which I also ran out to buy and I had a stampede. They just LOVED them!!!!

So...I'm asking all of you...what is it about goats that touches our hearts and makes us love them so much?

Chaty · #19 12/02/08, 11:04 PM

Powder I know what you mean...I love all of mine and dont know what I would do without them as they are such Great therapy....If I am down they make me laugh and forget...Goats are like potato chips ...you can have just 1...I have lots... :banana02:

powderhooves · #20 12/03/08, 06:46 AM

Chaty - too funny!