What do I do to give goats some TLC?

blujenes · #1 07/12/13, 01:51 PM

We're getting some goats that aren't as good as the pictures showed them to be, and we've aleady bought them. They could turn out alright, they just need some TLC. For feed we plan on giving them oats, alfalfa pellets, beet pulp, and BOSS.
They need copper, too, and we've never done that before. Where do you get copper for your goats? I did a quick google search, and came up with this- http://www.scbt.com/datasheet-363568...per-bolus.html Will this work?

Same question regarding selenuim. I found a website, but I don't know if it's the right stuff. http://www.valleyvet.com/ct_detail.h...3-c27b0cd27fb6

Pardon my newbie questions, and thanks for the help!

Hollowdweller · #2 07/12/13, 02:32 PM

Goats need clean water, a dry, draft free place to sleep, and enough to eat.

Start there.

Squeaky McMurdo · #3 07/12/13, 02:44 PM

Well, at least you know what they CAN look like, so who knows? Maybe with some TLC you can get them looking even better

Alice In TX/MO · #4 07/12/13, 02:45 PM

BoSe (selenium) is a doctor prescription, given by injection.

You need a really good loose mineral. Cargill's Right Now - Onyx is great if you can find it locally.

Copper boluses:
http://www.valleyvet.com/ct_detail.h...FWfhQgodGloA3g

**mygoat** · #5 07/12/13, 04:27 PM

I buy copasure cattle boluses, and redistribute the rods. The 'goat capsules' aren't sized right for most average animals (at least on my property!) and are more expensive to boot. I just use a gram scale off of ebay for cheap and empty capsules I ordered either from ebay (size 00), or from PBS animal supply. (think size 12 for big goats). Dose is 1g per 22lbs, 2-3x per year. I give it pre-kidding and pre-breeding. I saw no difference in health/production/coat when dosing 3x per year vs 2x per year. Not all coat browning is from copper. Copper bleached coats will be bleached at the ROOT as well as the tip. Browning/bleaching at the TIP is probably not from copper, especially if you can look at the root of the hair and see glossy nice hair. For example my Alpines look like absolute YETIS until I shave them every year. Once shaved, they're gorgeous glossy black. As their shaggier coats get longer, the hair tips turn brown. Underneath, she's still glossy black.

BoSe is an Rx, you get it from your vet. Dose is 1cc per 40lbs. MuSe is another product but is stronger and isn't advised for use in goats. I give BoSe when I give copper, pre-breeding and pre-kidding. I usually also check everybody for worm loads, update CDTs if necessary, do hoof trims at these times if needed... having to catch all of them is an event, lol, so I make the most of it!

)

I'd vaccinate them, deworm them, and keep them in isolation from your current goats (if you have others) for at LEAST 30 days. Trim hooves, and check them well for lice. Offer a quality loose mineral. A friend of mine had sucess getting some 'rescue goats' off to a good start using a vitamin/electrolyte solution in their water too, which makes sense - poor diet means lacking in vitamins, too.

The young runty ones, make sure they get a very generous grain ration every day. For the doe in milk, I'd put her in the stand and let her have as much as she wants at every milking.

Out of curiosity, are the young runty ones nubians? Tested for G6S at all?

Minelson · #6 07/12/13, 05:48 PM

I'm sorry you are disappointed with the new goats.... Did you still get "Ugly"? The kids goat? Take pictures now...you will be amazed at what just a little attention will do for them. I would do the Right Now Onyx loose minerals along with a weekly dose of Replamin Plus or Copper Bolus. I am happy they found a good home with you!

Treats are always good. Right now I'm giving fig newtons as treats and they love it!! Good luck!

blujenes · #7 07/12/13, 06:42 PM

Yes, we got Ugly, and that picture of her was TERRIBLE! It made her look really bad. In person, she's kinda cute.

The small kids are Alpine, not Nubian. The actual Nubians look pretty good, just skinny and smaller than I thought. Once we get them fattened up, they'll look pretty good.

Lots of treats. Got it. They won't let me forget.

arieschick · #8 07/12/13, 09:16 PM

We have 3 happy healthy pygmies, mommy, daddy and their 6 month old bouncy baby. We feed them Purina Goat Chow (not the pellets, it's more like a sweet feed) and grain (basic hen scratch). They have a 3 gallon waterer in each pen (daddy is still separated from mommy and baby so we won't have any mishaps). They get wormer on a regular schedule with safe guard wormer. Regular hoof trims. Lots of TLC and human attention every day. We don't use any if those extra things like selenium, vet says we don't need it here in SE La. We do give them berry supplement blocks, like salt blocks for horses except they have berry flavor in it ans it's purplish pink. Has all the minerals they need. Everyone gets regular vaccines and all have a clean bill of health.
I don't know the conditions of your new goats, I only saw this posting and didn't see any pics. I hope my general info helps you. I'm thinking u should probably get an initial check up from a vet and a tetanus any other recommended vaccines unless you have proof that they already got them.
Good luck :-)

Backfourty,MI. · #9 07/12/13, 09:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by arieschick

We have 3 happy healthy pygmies, mommy, daddy and their 6 month old bouncy baby. We feed them Purina Goat Chow (not the pellets, it's more like a sweet feed) and grain (basic hen scratch). They have a 3 gallon waterer in each pen (daddy is still separated from mommy and baby so we won't have any mishaps). They get wormer on a regular schedule with safe guard wormer. Regular hoof trims. Lots of TLC and human attention every day. We don't use any if those extra things like selenium, vet says we don't need it here in SE La. We do give them berry supplement blocks, like salt blocks for horses except they have berry flavor in it ans it's purplish pink. Has all the minerals they need. Everyone gets regular vaccines and all have a clean bill of health.
I don't know the conditions of your new goats, I only saw this posting and didn't see any pics. I hope my general info helps you. I'm thinking u should probably get an initial check up from a vet and a tetanus any other recommended vaccines unless you have proof that they already got them.
Good luck :-)

Your male Pygmy really doesn't need any feed other than browse & good hay. With the feed your giving watch to make sure he doesn't get Urinary Calculi & be sure & keep some Ammonium chloride on hand in case he does.

The Billy Block or any Block is not enough Copper in it to take care of goats needs. A good loose mineral is much better for them because their tongues can't get enough off a block. Look for a mineral with at least 2000ppm's of copper in it.

Another thing the Hen scratch SHOULD NOT be given to goats.

Safeguard wormer for goats is not effective for any worms other than tape worms & most adult goats don't have a problem with tapes. Also wormer on a schedule is just asking for your goats to become resistant to the worms in your area or pen's. Get a fecal done & worm with the appropriate wormer to take care of the worm burden they have.

Backfourty,MI. · #10 07/12/13, 09:55 PM

I agree with the others here on a good high copper content loose mineral, sounds like a copper bolus wouldn't hurt them either.

The Replamin Plus is doing a lot of good for quite a few of our goats & mine think their getting treats each week on Replamin day. They Love it.

Animal crackers are great treats & mine all Love those too.

Minelson · #11 07/13/13, 10:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Backfourty,MI.

Your male Pygmy really doesn't need any feed other than browse & good hay. With the feed your giving watch to make sure he doesn't get Urinary Calculi & be sure & keep some Ammonium chloride on hand in case he does.

The Billy Block or any Block is not enough Copper in it to take care of goats needs. A good loose mineral is much better for them because their tongues can't get enough off a block. Look for a mineral with at least 2000ppm's of copper in it.

Another thing the Hen scratch SHOULD NOT be given to goats.

Safeguard wormer for goats is not effective for any worms other than tape worms & most adult goats don't have a problem with tapes. Also wormer on a schedule is just asking for your goats to become resistant to the worms in your area or pen's. Get a fecal done & worm with the appropriate wormer to take care of the worm burden they have.

I agree with Katie 100% on everything she pointed out

motdaugrnds · #12 07/13/13, 03:59 PM

As usual in here, you're getting some great information.

The only thing I would add as for as giving them the TLC is to check their hooves and make sure those are cared for. If I were you, I'ld also comb them real well and shake a little DE under their fur as this can be helpful should they have any insect in that hair. You might want to add some electrolyte to their drinking water as well, even some Apple Cider Vineger would be good.