New does - sick or just adjusting?

[babsbag]

Previous owner is suggesting that they are just nervous and we should add a molasses/water mixture to rolled barley to get them eating. Thoughts? They were shivering in the barn, even though it is draft free and they have easily a foot and half of straw bedding, so I just coaxed them out to the sunshine. It is 21 degrees right now and feels warmer in the sun. Do you think the shivering is because they are cold or because they are off their feed? I was so excited about these goats but now I am feeling really lost and aware of what a newbie I am.

When it was 17 degrees my goats were shivering so that is a possibility. But they need feed to keep their rumen working and that will make them warmer as well. Do you have a way to put a heat lamp SAFELY in the barn for them just so they can acclimate? Was it cold where they came from? I gave my goat warm water with molasses and that helped stopped her shivering. I think someone already suggested that. They do make goat coats, I am sure there are some temporary makeshift ideas on the web as well.

I would take their temp again, a low temp can be dangerous too. It is imperative that they eat, if thier rumen shuts down it is really dangerous for them. Can you get a bag of the Chaffhaye? Maybe even meet the prior owners part way on the road and get some from them. Chaffhaye has molasses in it. I would try the molasses on the oats or barely or even some alfalfa pellets, anything to get them to eat. They HAVE to eat. I know people give vitamin B injections to increase appetite, not sure of the dose, I know it has been mentioned many times on this site. If they have truly been off feed for a few days just go slow if they decide they like something don't let them stuff on it. I would even try a litle of the wet COB (sweet grain).

If they were here I would be trying Black oil sunflower seeds, fresh pumpkins, green beans, and anything else I could tempt them with. Not more than a handful of anything. Go very very slow with stuff like that, but I would be trying it all. And if I find something they like I would add some to some alfalfa pellets and see if they will eat it then, but again go very very slow, do not want them to bloat. Goat rumens can be tricky. You probably don't have any browse yet, it sounds too cold for that. Mine like blackberry vines, even dormant ones. Please, I can't stress enough though to go slow when tempting with treats.

Are they pooping at all, and if so, what do the pellets look like?

Goats can be confusing to be sure, and moving them can stress them out and make them sick. If you have a vet that might be best, but sometimes goat vets are hard to find.

 

[freechicken]

Our vet wasn't overly concerned. He thought the move in addition to being pregnant just has them thrown off a bit. He seemed to think that they will eventually eat when they get hungry enough. Their stools look normal still. I will retake their temperatures in a bit when my hubby gets home.

Once I got them outside into the sunshine this morning, the shivering stopped in both of them. And they have stayed outside all day. Now if only they would learn to go out into the sun on their own. I have a heat lamp for my chickens I can put in there tonight since it is supposed to drop down to like 9 degrees. Come on spring and warmer weather!

 

[babsbag]

It is nowhere near that cold here and I am right there with you...come on warm weather.

Hopefully your vet is right, but I would add some Molasses to thier water and see if you can get some of the feed they are used to. The stereotype of them being tin can eaters is about as far from the truth as you can get. They are incredibly picking.

 

[autumnprairie]

You can raisins for treats. Hope they start eating soon. Try giving them warm to hottish water with the molasses in it too my goats love the hot molasses water or electrolyte for goats because it is sweet. Good luck

 

[OneFineAcre]

If it is cold, they do like warm water.

Our vet has also suggested adding sugar free gatorade 50/50 with warm water for sick goats.