water

[chewie]

yesterday we had a little cookout with friends. grand time, esp since they are also into horses and goats and gardens, so the wife wanted to see my stuff. we took the tour once it cooled off a bit and ended at the goat pen, just talking.

which is when I seen my 2 milkers both go to the water tub, sniff and chew like when they are going to drink, then walk away with a disappointed look. hmm?? I got a bucket, filled it and they've been drinking more. it wasn't just a cold/fresh issue, they do NOT like the tub, where they did seem to just a month ago.

could this be the cause of my one doe's off milk? something in that tub, once it got super hot, has put them off their water. I am SO glad I seen it. I am very sad I didn't know it earlier! poor girls. dreadful heat and water they dont' like?! not sure of why, but since there is only 3 in that pen now, I'll just give them the buckets they like.

so, just a friendly reminder, maybe watch your goats for a while every few days at least, this one little thing has shown me many things before, and now this, just simply watching.

[Goat Servant]

Good reminder Chewie!

[andabigmac]

Mine don't like to drink out of the black rubber ones when it gets hot out. We ended up using them as pig feeders. I figured the water must get that taste that bottled water gets when its left in a hot car. Sort of plasticy. Are they those kinds of waterers?

[Minelson]

Mine don't like metal ones. Actually they prefer a cup with ice...fed by hand of course

[chewie]

I already figured out the black rubber things, I can imagine how nasty those taste in the hot sun! but this was a blue lick tub from cattle. WELL cleaned out, been using it for a few months but seems now that its hot, the gals don't like it anymore.

and I'm not standing there handfeeding them ice water minelson!! hahahha!!

[Ranger]

Yeah, you're right, Chewie. They like sweet iced tea better. That's what you'd better give them, I guess. Out of a lead crystal goblet, of course.