Boer cross doe - wondering what she may be crossed with? (photos!)

[Sunshyne276]

I got my first goat, and she is so sweet!
She's supposed to be 5-6 years old, and Boer cross..

Does anyone have an idea what she may be crossed with?

Also.. Anyone have any advice to some who is new to goats?

 

[Roll farms]

First off, congrats on the new goat. Welcome to your new obsession...

There is no real way to know what she might be crossed with...boer breed character is pretty dominant (floppy ears, head / body color) and there are just too many options.
I would *guess* it was a swiss / short eared breed, but no way to tell which one...togg, alpine, etc.

Now then...you asked for advice...

I don't mean to scare you, or offend you in any way.
But...
That doe isn't in very good condition.

She is either underfed and has a parasite load, or both.

Her coat is sort of scruffy, the tail is very sparse. With a thick coat, you shouldn't really be able to see her backbone / shoulders as well as you can.

If you have a way to have it done, I would have a fecal ran (by a vet) so you know which worms you're dealing with and can treat accordingly. She may be very, very anemic and deworming too fast could kill her.

Pull her bottom eyelid down and look at the color of the mucous membrane. If it's very pale, she is anemic.

If you don't have access to a vet for a fecal, you can get some Safeguard liquid dewormer for goats, and dose her at 1cc per 20# on the 1st day. Then deworm 3 days later at the rate of 1cc per 10#.
Wait a week and get ivermectin injectable dewormer (for cows / pigs) but give it to her orally at the rate of 1cc per 25#. Repeat in a week.

Wait 3 wks and hit her w/ the ivermectin orally again.

(The reason you're using safeguard 1st / 2x is b/c it will kill the worms off more slowly and isn't a 'harsh' dewormer).

It won't do much good to have a fecal taken after you've started deworming, but 3 wks after the last time you give her dewormer would be a good time to have another ran to see if it's working.

Give her a probiotic product (I like Probios in a tube (labeled for horses or cows) after deworming ea. time. It will keep her rumen populated.

Feed her a good GOAT formulated grain 2x a day...Not a lot, esp. at first, but 1/2 cup to start and then move up to around 2 cups, 2x a day. You can top dress it with Black Oil Sunflower Seed or Calf Manna to help add fat / calories.

ALL the good alf. / grass mix hay she wants.

Get a good goat mineral. Manna Pro has a decent one (8 or 10 # bags at TSC) and put it out 'free choice' in a feeder (where it will stay dry). Start w/ a handful and change it out every couple days (they like it fresh) and adjust the amount accordingly. Goats are remarkably good at taking 'what they need' as far as amount, and based on the tail, I'd say she's got a bit of a deficiency...

You might also top dress her feed or offer in another feeder some Baking Soda, in case all the diet changes cause any tummy trouble. They will eat some baking soda to help themselves.

Her hooves look like they could use a trimming.

This is the part I don't want to offend you with, so please don't be, I know you're new and may not have considered this...But I hate to see any animal on a chain. In one pic it's wrapped around her a bit. If she were left alone, and a dog or wild thing came along, she could seriously hurt herself (break a leg) and wouldn't be able to escape, either.

Good luck w/ her and I hope you understand I'm only trying to help you both out w/ your new goat...

 

[helmstead]

I'm also agreeing with Roll on all fronts, and feel it necessary to point out the big abscess she recently popped on her neck, which might be CL...:/ and could be contributing to her condition.

 

[Roll farms]

As a comparison, this is Levi, she's a 3 yr old 75% Boer doe. She's actually a bit on the porky side, but you can see what I mean about not seeing the bones / coat condition.

 

[Roll farms]

Kate, I'm not seeing an abscess...? I think that's her collar...???
I could be nuts, though...lol.

 

[helmstead]

Kate, I'm not seeing an abscess...? I think that's her collar...???
I could be nuts, though...lol.

Okay yeah I see that now...frayed collar - retract!

 

[SDGsoap&dairy]

I thought that was blood too Kate! I see, it's a collar.

I agree with Roll and Kate though on the condition issue. She's also either blinking at exactly the wrong moment when you snap the pictures or is droopy like she feels a little under the weather. She'll need you to give her some serious TLC! Congrats on your new girl and we'll be looking forward to pics of her shiny and healthy in the coming months!