New Doelings

[Payturpin]

Hello all!
I recently brought home 2 Nigerian Dwarf doelings and while they seem to be adjusting fairly well, they also seem semi depressed? It’s entirely possible I’m reading into it but I try to give them treats (berries, lettuce, leaves on the trees, etc) and they have zero interest. I just put some fresh hay in their feeder, zero interest. They’re eating the 10% all stock and forage in the yard but I’m concerned they’re sad and not eating enough? Am I overthinking this?
Thanks in advance.

 

[Alaskan]

Hello all!
I recently brought home 2 Nigerian Dwarf doelings and while they seem to be adjusting fairly well, they also seem semi depressed? It’s entirely possible I’m reading into it but I try to give them treats (berries, lettuce, leaves on the trees, etc) and they have zero interest. I just put some fresh hay in their feeder, zero interest. They’re eating the 10% all stock and forage in the yard but I’m concerned they’re sad and not eating enough? Am I overthinking this?
Thanks in advance.

First I would call whoever you bought them from and see what they had been eating.

They are more likely to eat familiar things, especially since they are new to you..

So, what kind of hay did they have (orchard grass, Timothy, bermuda, alfalfa, etc)?

What kind of pellets, exact brand?

What kind of treats?

Goats do not like change.

If your water is way different than what they had, they can even have issues with that, so make sure they are drinking well.

Also.... I think worming animals right before, and right after they show up at your place is a great thing to do to help reduce the worm load at your place...

So.... when you call to ask exactly what they are used to eating, also ask:

1. when they were last wormed? What was used? What are the common parasites in your area and the best drugs to combat them?

2. In your area do goats need copper? If the answer is yes, were they already given a copper bolus? (Copper pill that they swallow)

3. In your area do goats need extra Selenium? If the answer is yes, have they been given any, and in what method? (Selenium can be given by shot, by paste, etc.)

 

[Payturpin]

First I would call whoever you bought them from and see what they had been eating.

They are more likely to eat familiar things, especially since they are new to you..

So, what kind of hay did they have (orchard grass, Timothy, bermuda, alfalfa, etc)?

What kind of pellets, exact brand?

What kind of treats?

Goats do not like change.

If your water is way different than what they had, they can even have issues with that, so make sure they are drinking well.

Also.... I think worming animals right before, and right after they show up at your place is a great thing to do to help reduce the worm load at your place...

So.... when you call to ask exactly what they are used to eating, also ask:

1. when they were last wormed? What was used? What are the common parasites in your area and the best drugs to combat them?

2. In your area do goats need copper? If the answer is yes, were they already given a copper bolus? (Copper pill that they swallow)

3. In your area do goats need extra Selenium? If the answer is yes, have they been given any, and in what method? (Selenium can be given by shot, by paste, etc.)

Oh wow! Okay, that’s a lot to consider. I asked the previous owner for a photo of what they were giving them and she said she didn’t have a bag or anything but it was just 10% all stock. So I got them that. She also said they eat leaves from their trees so I’ve been trying to give them leaves from our pecan trees (I read that’s safe for goats) and they will eat a couple here in there but are mostly uninterested.
Ive only had them for 3 days and they’re 4 months old so I’m sure they’re just adjusting but I know how sensitive goats can be to moving and stress.
How do I know if they need copper or selenium? I live in south Texas, Google is pretty uninformative.

 

[Deecarter]

Hey, I'm a newbie to all this too, but I've read that when they move to a new place they can get under stress. I'd maybe consider all stated by Alaskan Herd Master and also give some vitamin B gel. You can't overdose them on that and just like us, it's good for stress. I'd probably throw in a probiotic too. It can't hurt.

 

[Alaskan]

Oh wow! Okay, that’s a lot to consider. I asked the previous owner for a photo of what they were giving them and she said she didn’t have a bag or anything but it was just 10% all stock. So I got them that. She also said they eat leaves from their trees so I’ve been trying to give them leaves from our pecan trees (I read that’s safe for goats) and they will eat a couple here in there but are mostly uninterested.
Ive only had them for 3 days and they’re 4 months old so I’m sure they’re just adjusting but I know how sensitive goats can be to moving and stress.
How do I know if they need copper or selenium? I live in south Texas, Google is pretty uninformative.

Did you ask the previous owner the questions from my first post?

You need to know what they have gotten... before you can give them stuff.

It isn't a good idea to double dose.

I did a brief Google search, and it looks like South Texas is low in selenium.... but if they were given a Selenium shot shortly after birth... well.... I am not sure when you should start to supplement. If they have never been given Selenium, then I would start them on Selenium paste once a month.

Again.... you need to ask the last owner what they had.

And...Texas has parasites galore.

So definitely ask what wormers they have already had... and dose them. You want to treat them BEFORE eggs that they are carrying fully infect your soil... the sooner the better.

It wasn't clear to me if South Texas is low on copper..... ask the previous goat owner.

 

[Alaskan]

She also said they eat leaves from their trees so I’ve been trying to give them leaves from our pecan trees

Do they have pecan trees?

Lots of kinds of trees in Texas.

 

[Mini Horses]

All good but, yes they are going to be a little "off" for a couple weeks. They're in a new place, new people, left their mom and playmates! They adjust. Just sad right now.

You bought two, that's good!! A buddy. When I buy a goat, I normally buy 2 -- so they have a friend at their new place! Truly, it helps. Goats are emotional.

 

[Payturpin]

Did you ask the previous owner the questions from my first post?

You need to know what they have gotten... before you can give them stuff.

It isn't a good idea to double dose.

I did a brief Google search, and it looks like South Texas is low in selenium.... but if they were given a Selenium shot shortly after birth... well.... I am not sure when you should start to supplement. If they have never been given Selenium, then I would start them on Selenium paste once a month.

Again.... you need to ask the last owner what they had.

And...Texas has parasites galore.

So definitely ask what wormers they have already had... and dose them. You want to treat them BEFORE eggs that they are carrying fully infect your soil... the sooner the better.

It wasn't clear to me if South Texas is low on copper..... ask the previous goat owner.

So the previous owner said she was not giving selenium or copper. She said she gave them a dewormer a few weeks ago but that’s it. When I asked about a brand of 10% all stock she said she doesn’t know the brand, that it doesn’t matter as long as what I give them is 10% all stock also.

 

[Payturpin]

All good but, yes they are going to be a little "off" for a couple weeks. They're in a new place, new people, left their mom and playmates! They adjust. Just sad right now.

You bought two, that's good!! A buddy. When I buy a goat, I normally buy 2 -- so they have a friend at their new place! Truly, it helps. Goats are emotional.

That’s what I’m thinking is going right now, they’re just adjusting and missing their mama. They’re twin sisters so they’re the same age and size, feel a little less bad since they stayed together.

 

[Alaskan]

So the previous owner said she was not giving selenium or copper. She said she gave them a dewormer a few weeks ago but that’s it. When I asked about a brand of 10% all stock she said she doesn’t know the brand, that it doesn’t matter as long as what I give them is 10% all stock also.

Very nice to know.

Maybe ask around as to local worm problems, and what wormers might best.

There are some nasty ones in Texas.

When I googled, it looked like only west and far north Texas have enough Selenium.... so a selenium supplement of some kind would be good. I was happy with the gel once a month.

As to copper.... it isn't clear to me if you need that in your area.... so maybe just watch for signs of copper deficiency and only then get a copper bolus.



Do you have any hay out for them?

I am glad that they are eating the pellets.