Needing some information about preventing UC

[kikicounihan]

Ok, I am new to this forum and finding it VERY helpful. But, it is also making me anxious about not wanting to make any mistakes with our new goats. I just posted and received some great information about a little cough noise from one of my goats. Now I have some UC questions. I have two, 11 week old castrated male fainting goats. I feed grain and they have access to browse and weeds at all times. I also feed grassy hay each day. They have free trace minerals and a block. So, what else do I need to do to prevent UC? I change out and clean there water bowl, giving fresh clean water every day. I am anxious about making sure they don't get this! Thanks!

 

[20kidsonhill]

make sure your grain is for goats and has ammonia chloride in it. Also, purchase a little extra ammonia chloride.

Can also have a product called "Fruit Fresh" on hand. Purchased from grocery store for emergencies or to sprinkle on feed occasionally to increase acidity.

Another option is to make sure your hay quality is really reall good, and cut back on the grain or see how well they do with no grain. 6 months of age I would for sure considering baking way off the grain.

 

[ksalvagno]

Make sure their entire diet is at least 2:1 calcium to phosphorus.

 

[elevan]

You're likely gonna want to increase their calcium intake to maintain the proper balance of Cah (2:1 minimum). You can do this by adding alfalfa (hay or pellets) to their diet.

 

[babsbag]

The c ratio is important, but not that easy to figure out, unfortunately. With all the male goats out there why doesn't some company just make a pellet feed for bucks? Or do they?

I don't feed any grain to my bucks anymore unless I want to give them extra AC. I feed primarily alfalfa hay with a leaf of wheat hay now and then through the summer. They don't get much browse unless we cut an oak tree for them. Feeding straight wheat hay was not an answer (learned that the hard way). Certainly not an easy creature to feed.

 

[elevan]

I no longer feed any grain (to any of my goats). In winter they get hay and alfalfa pellets.

You can learn more on feeding goats by clicking on the Goat Feeding Discussion link in my signature below.

 

[20kidsonhill]

The c ratio is important, but not that easy to figure out, unfortunately. With all the male goats out there why doesn't some company just make a pellet feed for bucks? Or do they?

I don't feed any grain to my bucks anymore unless I want to give them extra AC. I feed primarily alfalfa hay with a leaf of wheat hay now and then through the summer. They don't get much browse unless we cut an oak tree for them. Feeding straight wheat hay was not an answer (learned that the hard way). Certainly not an easy creature to feed.

In the meat goat industry they have a goat feed that is referrred to as a goat developer or goat grower. This is a feed that is formulated for growing out your meat kids, including your wethers. So to answer your question, technically they do make a feed for wether/bucks. At least the closest you are going to get.

 

[kikicounihan]

It is so interesting to hear how different everyone's feeding plans are. It seems like such a gray area. You can buy the goat feed, but then it doesn't have enough copper, etc etc. It is quite a learning process! So if my feed says .6% phosphorous and 1.0-1.5% calcium, does this mean it is the correct ratio? I feed really good grassy hay but then they have lots of browse and weeds in their area as well. Since a few people here mentioned stopping feeding grain at six months old, that will be my plan! They love it so much though! I am loving all of the advice and suggestions, and welcome more!