Can weanling kids eat calf starter?

[PattySh]

Lots of breeders are saying they put kids on a coccidia preventative diet. The only feed I am seeing in this area that has the additives is calf starter. Planning ahead as we have new babies coming end of Feb.We used goat sweet feed last year with the kids.

 

[glenolam]

What about just treating them with DiMethox or another coccidia drug instead of giving them grain treated for coccidia?

To answer your question, I believe goats in general can't eat calf or cow grain because the rations are way off. Someone who knows better can affirm or correct me, but I recall reading that somewhere along the lines.

There are goat feeds out there that contain DiMethox, but the issue (I believe) is that there's not enough of the stuff to make the grain treatment worth while.

I'd suggest graining them as usual with goat feed and giving them doses of DiMethox directly.

How old are they?

 

[helmstead]

What about just treating them with DiMethox or another coccidia drug instead of giving them grain treated for coccidia?

To answer your question, I believe goats in general can't eat calf or cow grain because the rations are way off. Someone who knows better can affirm or correct me, but I recall reading that somewhere along the lines.

There are goat feeds out there that contain DiMethox, but the issue (I believe) is that there's not enough of the stuff to make the grain treatment worth while.

I'd suggest graining them as usual with goat feed and giving them doses of DiMethox directly.

How old are they?

The feeds don't contain DiMethox, they contain Deccox, a coccistat intended for PREVENTION and yes, very worthwhile to feed full time.

If you can't find a medicated goat feed...you can purchase Deccox crumbles and mix it in yourself.

I would avoid a bovine formula.

 

[Emmetts Dairy]

I know in my area...they dont have a medicated sweet feed for goats. I never see em. But I dont feed sweet feed...becuase is not good for their teeth etc..and it dos'nt have any anomium chloride for UC prevention for bucks/wethers. I personally dont like sweet feed. There is better feed out there for sure. IMO That are comparable in price.

I second or third...no calf feed for goats. Just keep looking cuz I know in the least TSC carries medicated goat feed for certain!! Blue Seal carries medicated goat feed. Just gotta get on the phone to your feed stores.

Its out their for sure!!! Good luck!

 

[glenolam]

Thanks, helmstead - I forgot it's Deccox, not DiMethox - there's just too much out there!

I thought, though, that I've read that some people don't bother with the feed because the amount of the drug in the feed isn't enought to use as a prevenative. Is that just a personal preferance then?

For example - my neighbor feeds the treated grain to the kids, but she only does so because that's what other breeders do. Another breeder in another town doesn't because there's not enough of the medicine in order to make it worth the extra dollar or two the feed costs when you have to give the treatment (DiMethox) to kids anyway.

Do you still treat kids with the drug in addition to the treated feed?

 

[helmstead]

The medicated feed has enough preventative in it if you feed it according to directions (generally 3.5 lbs feed per 100 lbs of goat daily). It's ONLY purpose is to keep soil loads down and keep intestinal numbers steady.

Yes, you still have to treat babies with Dimethox, but feeding medicated feed will GREATLY reduce the cocci outbreaks.

 

[SDGsoap&dairy]

Something just occurred to me... I don't feed it as directed. Most of my goats simply don't need that much grain. Is feeding less medicated grain in this case the same thing as under-dosing a coccidiostat? Could it possibly contribute to Deccox resistant cocci if I don't maintain the levels intended?

 

[helmstead]

I haven't been able to find ANYTHING on that one, Nicki...no idea!

 

[jodief100]

Something just occurred to me... I don't feed it as directed. Most of my goats simply don't need that much grain. Is feeding less medicated grain in this case the same thing as under-dosing a coccidiostat? Could it possibly contribute to Deccox resistant cocci if I don't maintain the levels intended?

What type of organism is cocci? If it is a bacteria, almost certainly. Or is it something else? Viruses can develop resistance but not as quickly or easily. Very little is known about Prions so I couldn't tell you.

If it is some kind of insect, worm or something else multi-cellular, than probably not. Multi-cellular organisms can develop resistance but it is much slower if at all since they cannot pass resistance between individuals like bacteria can.

 

[helmstead]

It's a parasite...