finicky eater!!

[auntie.em]

Hello, brand new here & hoping someone can help. I have 2 Oberhasli milkers, 6 & 2 yrs. Both freshened this spring and I milk in a.m. and feed 2x daily. I recently (last 2 mos.) changed from Blue Seal Caprine Challenge to Dumor 16% sweet feed as my breeder told me CC was a bit high in protein. They get a small handful of crushed alfalfa cubes and 1/2 scoop of probiotic. Free choice hay and are on pasture w/ some browse. I offer loose minerals but neither of them like those much. I also offer baking soda.

Older goat is a picky eater and it seems the 2 yr. old (her daughter) is following in her footsteps. Both eat everything well except their grain! Somedays good appetites and others they turn their nose up at it. I am wondering if it is the sweet feed? They did this with the Caprine Challenge as well.

The older girl has always been on the thin side but is healthy and still nursing triplets from April. (I know but they love their mom). The younger doe is still nursing a single kid from April. She is in good condition and recently won Reserve Champion at the 4H fair.

The other 5 goats have no problem with the sweet feed or anything else.

I cannot figure out why they turn their noses up at this feed on & off. It's not just one bag so I am thinking the condition of the feed is fine.

If anyone has any ideas regarding this, please let me know. They are driving me crazy!!

Also, if anyone has experience with using Homeopathic remedies w/ goats, I would love to hear about that as well. I recently treated a cat's abscess homeopathically and am eager to learn more.

Thanks so much for any help!

auntie em

 

[ksalvagno]

What is the percentage on the Caprine Challenger? If you have something that works, I don't see any point in changing it.

 

[auntie.em]

Well, they did the same w/ the Caprine which is 18%. My breeder feeds hers the 16% and they do fine and I was concerned with the level of protein. I am thinking it's the type of feed, sweet feed mix vs. a pelleted feed which is the reason but cant figure out why. Does it contain something that upsets the stomach? Stools are always fine. Younger doe does get clumpy if given too much green browse or lush grass. I'm wondering if she has a sensitive gut. Thanks!

 

[Renegade]

I would go back to the Blue Seal feed. Dumor is one of the worst feeds out there. I would also stop giving them free choice baking soda. Keep it on hand for emergency use. You will find the goats will start eating the loose minerals once the baking soda is not available.

HTH

Donna

 

[auntie.em]

Hi, I went to TSC Dumor because it's a bit less expensive & my breeder uses it for hers. I'm not really sure how much protein is too much to begin with. Are there problems with Dumor? I'm not too crazy using feeds from ' chain stores' to begin with. Thanks.