what type of feed

[billy123]

We slowly changed out goats feed over to something we can get localy from What the original owners were feeding and now there poop is clumping together should I do something different. Any and all advice/tips would be apprciated.

 

[20kidsonhill]

It would help if you listed what kind of feed they were on and what kind of feed you switched them to, the amount you are feeding them and the age and kind of goats.

But often times a new home will cause a little stress and a change in the poop for a few days.

 

[billy123]

I dont recall the name of What the original owner was feeding they sent some with us and we slowly started adding purina goat chow until all of the other was gone. I am giving a scoop in the morning and one in the evening while milking

 

[billy123]

I forgot to say she is about a 3 year old nubian

 

[20kidsonhill]

I am assuming along with free-choice hay?

Purina goat chow, is that a pelleted feed or a more like a sweet feed?

Are you giving her any kind of alfalfa?

I use Purina goat show feed and have been very happy with it.

You could try getting gher some probiotics, maybe the stress of moving and changing feed as thrown her stomach off.

You could consider a fecal test on her, to make sure the stress of moving didn't increase her worm load and now that is causing problems.

 

[Emmetts Dairy]

Purina Goat Chow is fine. Its a good feed with good protien levels etc. I would also include to her daily feed, a bucket of loose minerals that are goat specific. Important part of her daily diet. Especially milking. They need a good nutrient balance while working! And of course free choice hay! And fresh water.

I would give her a shot of vitamin b and some probiotics. The move and changing feed is a big stress on them. Also I would run a fecal to the vets as well to check for worm load. Especially if shes new to you.

You can also give her some baking soda (2 tablespns) mixed with water and molasses to help settle her rumen down. Even with slow changes..their rumens can get slightly off. So this wont hurt at all!!

Good luck with her!!

 

[billy123]

We do offer free choice hay its not alfalfa but I do give alfalfa pellets and loose minerals free choice.the original owners used a herbal worker are these effective

 

[Emmetts Dairy]

We do offer free choice hay its not alfalfa but I do give alfalfa pellets and loose minerals free choice.the original owners used a herbal worker are these effective

I dont give my milkers alfalfa hay either. I give them a good green 2nd and 3rd cut hay. And alfalfa pellets from time to time. And in the winter in NH I mix 1st cut hay, which is stemie and takes longer to digest for them..and it keeps them warmer in cold temps. As the rumens working thru those stems..it heating them up! Like a little furnace. Ruminents amaze me!! LOL!!

I would try some baking soda and molassess first. But I would get her a fecal done...just so you know. Cuz when milking its alot on their bodies and if shes got a worm load..it can hit her hard while working. It cost me $10.00 to run down mine to my vet...and its worth every penny knowing!

 

[billy123]

Thanks for help
In above post it should've said herbal wormer instead of herbal worker

 

[Emmetts Dairy]

Thanks for help
In above post it should've said herbal wormer instead of herbal worker

Ok!! LOL! Wormers!

Some people have success with herbal wormers. I however do not use herbal wormers. I worm as needed to keep resistance down. What happens if you worm your goats too much the worms become resistant to the poison thats trying to kill them. So I run fecals every season change..or as needed...and worm accordingly.

Its hard for me to make a call about herbal wormers?? Cuz I dont use them. Some people use it and they say its effective?? So I dont really know. Im sure someone who uses them may chime in for a differant prospective?

But with any wormer..just keep in mind the resistance factor. Important.