goat not eating feed

[ugabulldog]

We have a two year old goat that will not eat sweet feed, she is really skinny, and has a 1 y/o kid still nursing from time to time. She also has a hurt rear leg and limps but still walks on it., not sure if this is related....any suggestions?

[Tallabred]

What will she eat? Alfalfa will put weight on them much better than grain. Mine do not like molasses in sweet feed.

[chamoisee]

Sweet feed has corn, and too much sweet feed and or too much corn, can cause acidosis, which makes them go off their feed. I would offer her some baking soda and give her high quality hay...gradually with the hay if she hasn't been on it. She may also need to be wormed.

[Alice In TX/MO]

I agree with above posts. Here's what I'd start with.

Take a fecal sample to the vet.

If she has barber pole worms, deworm with Cydectin Cattle Pour On, given orally, 1 ml for each 22 pounds of goat. Repeat in ten days.

If she has tapeworms, deworm with Valbazen, 1 ml per ten pounds.

Stop the sweet feed.

Give her alfalfa hay - OR - good grass hay and a cup of alfalfa pellets morning and evening to start, increase slowly.

Start her on Black Oil Sunflower Seeds. 1/2 cup morning and evening.

If you really really want to give her feed, give her a good goat feed, not sweet feed. Start slowly. 1 cup morning and evening.

Just my dos pesos.