OneFineAcre
Herd Master
Nice goats 
MrsKuhn - The Kuhn family adventure begins - KIDS ARE HOME
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- #32
MrsKuhn
Loving the herd life
For those of you who are following I was wondering if you could help me out with a few questions.
1. I noticed when we brought them home yesterday that they are scratching like crazy, there is dandruff on their coats and didn't know if I should look closer for bugs ( I lightly skimmed them this morning ) or if it could be something lacking in their diet, or if I need to give them a bath and brushing.
2. I have yet to see either of them drink any water. What are signs of dehydration to watch for just incase. ( yes I am aware I am a worry wart )
1. I noticed when we brought them home yesterday that they are scratching like crazy, there is dandruff on their coats and didn't know if I should look closer for bugs ( I lightly skimmed them this morning ) or if it could be something lacking in their diet, or if I need to give them a bath and brushing.
2. I have yet to see either of them drink any water. What are signs of dehydration to watch for just incase. ( yes I am aware I am a worry wart )
Southern by choice
Herd Master
When a goat leaves our farm, be it an adult or kid, we bathe them and use permetrins in the bath. We do this because mites are usually microscopic and usually cannot be seen but scratching, chewing, biting, rubbing, dander are all signs. We do this so that "just in case" the goat has creepy critters (ie- mites) they are removed before going to their new home. No new goat owner should have to deal with that and if they have goats they don't need it spreading.
Whether or not our goats are showing signs we do this. They can have mites but be in early stages where they have no symptoms.
Soooo.... I would bathe them. Use this -(bottom of page- topical insecticides) mix in a gallon jug. Take dawn dishsoap and add to some warm water now add the mixed permethrins to the soap water. Wet goat , shampoo, let sit for a minute, rinse, pour permethrins over goat getting everything soaked.... wait a minute - for very young goats I lightly rinse afterwards, then towel dry real good then blow dry. Baby goats I do in the house.
We have done this for years and never had any issues.
Young goats don't drink alot of water but should be drinking some. Keep an eye on them. If they are lethargic that is key. If not peeing then they are not drinking. Watch for pee pee spots.
I also just wanted to add- make sure you have loose minerals out for them.
Whether or not our goats are showing signs we do this. They can have mites but be in early stages where they have no symptoms.
Soooo.... I would bathe them. Use this -(bottom of page- topical insecticides) mix in a gallon jug. Take dawn dishsoap and add to some warm water now add the mixed permethrins to the soap water. Wet goat , shampoo, let sit for a minute, rinse, pour permethrins over goat getting everything soaked.... wait a minute - for very young goats I lightly rinse afterwards, then towel dry real good then blow dry. Baby goats I do in the house.
We have done this for years and never had any issues.
Young goats don't drink alot of water but should be drinking some. Keep an eye on them. If they are lethargic that is key. If not peeing then they are not drinking. Watch for pee pee spots.
I also just wanted to add- make sure you have loose minerals out for them.
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- #34
MrsKuhn
Loving the herd life
Thank you so much @Southern by choice They have loose minerals out and I will be sure to get some of that and bathe them in the tub. I appreciate your advice.
So I mix warm water, a smidgen of dawn dish soap and the Permethrin's and bathe them with that? Thats it or am I missing something?
So I mix warm water, a smidgen of dawn dish soap and the Permethrin's and bathe them with that? Thats it or am I missing something?
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TAH
Herd Master
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Congrats. We were camping at the beach this weeks so I was late. But congrats
babsbag
Herd Master
You have the bath instructions correct but make sure that the Permethrin is diluted according to the directions on the bottle then add it to the soapy water. I know someone that applied it straight by accident and her sheep had a rough go of it.
Southern by choice
Herd Master
@babsbag clarified that very well Thanks Babs. YES DILUTE permethrins according to directions... I'll list steps again.
1. Make permethrins mix (proper dilution according to directions by product maker) in a gallon jug.
2. In a little open top container - bucket whatever (quart size-ish)
Take dawn dishsoap and add to some warm water
3. Pour a few cups (not exact measurement) of your dip solution that you have from the gallon jug and add to soap water.
4. Wet goat, bath with soap/dip solution
5. let sit for a minute or so
6. rinse
7. Take the dip solution from your already made up gallon and pour all over goat
8. Let sit for a few minutes
9. wring out excess with hands then towel dry goat then blow dry. If you are in a very hot climate you can towel dry and just let dry outside.
10. On very young goats sometimes I will lightly rinse after step 8.
WEAR GLOVES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
You can put diatomaceous Earth down in their sleeping/bedding quarters.
1. Make permethrins mix (proper dilution according to directions by product maker) in a gallon jug.
2. In a little open top container - bucket whatever (quart size-ish)
Take dawn dishsoap and add to some warm water
3. Pour a few cups (not exact measurement) of your dip solution that you have from the gallon jug and add to soap water.
4. Wet goat, bath with soap/dip solution
5. let sit for a minute or so
6. rinse
7. Take the dip solution from your already made up gallon and pour all over goat
8. Let sit for a few minutes
9. wring out excess with hands then towel dry goat then blow dry. If you are in a very hot climate you can towel dry and just let dry outside.
10. On very young goats sometimes I will lightly rinse after step 8.
WEAR GLOVES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
You can put diatomaceous Earth down in their sleeping/bedding quarters.
- Thread starter
- #38
MrsKuhn
Loving the herd life
Here is a picture or what I was calling dandruff
Southern by choice
Herd Master
Can't quite see from the pic but looks like lice.
The method works for both mites and lice.
If you watch then for several minutes you will see them move.
If they do then please call the breeder and let them know.
Lice/mites are, unfortunately, part of owning goats.
It DOES NOT mean you have a bad breeder. It is just a courtesy call in case she/he hasn't caught it yet.
Keeping DE down will help.
Mites/Lice show up heavy in the fall/winter but most people don't see them or notice much til spring when it warms up they get very active. Of course this hits right at kidding time... and baby goats get them too.
Good catch!
The method works for both mites and lice.
If you watch then for several minutes you will see them move.
If they do then please call the breeder and let them know.
Lice/mites are, unfortunately, part of owning goats.
It DOES NOT mean you have a bad breeder. It is just a courtesy call in case she/he hasn't caught it yet.
Keeping DE down will help.
Mites/Lice show up heavy in the fall/winter but most people don't see them or notice much til spring when it warms up they get very active. Of course this hits right at kidding time... and baby goats get them too.
Good catch!
babsbag
Herd Master
If the dandruff is stuck on the hair is could be lice. I have one with lice right now; I just saw the nits. UGH!!! Same treatment as for the mites.
I will just spray my buck, I am not bathing an adult laMancha buck.
I will just spray my buck, I am not bathing an adult laMancha buck.
