| T O P I C R E V I E W |
| southerncrossgirl |
Posted - May 25 2009 : 07:16:22 AM
I have a first time Nigerian Doe mama that gave birth to twins. They are about 3 1/2 weeks old. Day before yesterday she didn't eat well and yesterday she didn't hardly eat anything, and same thing today. She doesn't seem to have any other symptoms. This morning I went ahead and gave her an antibiotic. My husband says I feed her way too much. I don't really see what that would have to do with it.
Any ideas what it could be?
"A Dream Is A Wish Your Heart Makes"==Cinderella |
| 21 L A T E S T R E P L I E S (Newest First) |
| southerncrossgirl |
Posted - Jun 14 2009 : 1:31:44 PM
Thanks Grace. She seems just fine now. I feel sure it was something she ate.
"A Dream Is A Wish Your Heart Makes"==Cinderella |
| grace gerber |
Posted - Jun 14 2009 : 09:17:39 AM
Peppermint or spearmint is not harmfull in fact we put that in a herbal mix to assist with milk production at birth. My goats get some on a regular bases.
As for the baking soda I do not sprinkle on pellets (I do not feed that type of food) but rather I have it in some containers that is up on the wall so they do not soil it and they get to determine how much and how often they will eat some. I am about letting my animals live more like they would if I where not their keepers. Do not get me wrong I water and feed each day but rather they determine when, where and how they eat.
Gene, as soon as I can make my way clear of back orders and wholesale orders I will go on a dig for the information on the walking herb garden. It is just we have had a week full of hail storms, lightening strikes and not too far from me even tornadoes so I am just trying to catch up with outside problems and shop orders.
Grace Gerber
Larkspur Funny Farm and Fiber Art Studio
Where the spirits are high and the fiber is deep
http://www.larkspurfunnyfarm.etsy.com
http://larkspurfunnyfarm.blogspot.com
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| Beverley |
Posted - Jun 14 2009 : 08:53:18 AM
I was just wondering about the peppermint or spearmint cause it is growing in the grassy area where they graze. I haven't seen them nibble on it much . They like the grass and clover better..
Folks will know how large your soul is by the way you treat a dog....Charles F. Doran
beverley baggett Beverley with an extra E...
http://bevsdoggies.googlepages.com/ |
| daddzgirl9262 |
Posted - Jun 13 2009 : 11:33:06 PM
Question abot the Baking Soda. I dont remember who tole me this, but I was told to sprinkle some baking soda over my goats pellets each time I feed her. Is that ok?
Also, i have heard about the herb garden too. I give my doe a sprinkle of a mixture of herbd in her food every once in a while. She loves it! Plus it makes her breath smell good :D
The mix is: Thyme, Garlic, Rosemary, Oregano, Sage and Mustard seeds.
Not only does her breath smell good but it also acts as a Natural treatment for Mastitis. :]
:D Smile Jesus Loves you! |
| Beverley |
Posted - May 27 2009 : 11:41:22 AM
Will eating peppermint or spearmint plants hurt a goat if they eat them. not on this topic I know I was just wondering?
Folks will know how large your soul is by the way you treat a dog....Charles F. Doran
beverley baggett Beverley with an extra E...
http://bevsdoggies.googlepages.com/ |
| southerncrossgirl |
Posted - May 27 2009 : 10:23:06 AM
Grace, if you run across the book about the "walking herb garden", let me know which herbs it suggests.
"A Dream Is A Wish Your Heart Makes"==Cinderella |
| grace gerber |
Posted - May 26 2009 : 8:37:03 PM
I too keep my soda and minerals separate. I find they are much better at eating just what their body is needing then if I go and get all fancy. I also have containers that hang over a gate. That way I can clean it, move it, take it away and also change the location. I also give them a mineral tub which keeps the newest little folks from eating too much. I had one little guy who just about licked his lips off with the mineral block. There is somewhere in my stacks of books about a walking herb garden just for goats - they are turned in it for only a little bit of time each day and they eat only what their body is lacking. It is a great article - I had one for many years but the drought around here managed to kill it - now I just do not have enough time to start another. Someday!!!
Grace Gerber
Larkspur Funny Farm and Fiber Art Studio
Where the spirits are high and the fiber is deep
http://www.larkspurfunnyfarm.etsy.com
http://larkspurfunnyfarm.blogspot.com
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| southerncrossgirl |
Posted - May 26 2009 : 5:36:14 PM
I am going to go back to the old way of putting the soda out in it's own container. It seems to me if the goats were having a problem with bloat, they would just want to eat the soda by itself. I love that we have this forum to bounce our ideas off of one another.
"A Dream Is A Wish Your Heart Makes"==Cinderella |
| kristin sherrill |
Posted - May 26 2009 : 3:38:13 PM
All my stuff is in separate containers. I've never mixed it. I use the small hanging feeders that go over a stall door. They do have 2 holes so I have some screwed into the wood so they can't get knocked over. I have soda in one, salt block in one and loose minerals in the other. And my goats love the soda. They fight over it when I first bring it out. I don't suppose it's bad to mix it. I just never thought to do that. It would save on places to put it. Just ramblin' on here. I'll stop now.
Kris
Happiness is simple. |
| southerncrossgirl |
Posted - May 26 2009 : 2:40:32 PM
Kris, I am glad you brought that up regarding baking soda. I also in the past had baking soda in feeder by itself, but the lady at Hoegger said to just mix it in with the "golden blend" minerals. But, thinking on it now, wonder if they just want soda? They may need extra soda and not the minerals at any given time. Whatcha think??????????
"A Dream Is A Wish Your Heart Makes"==Cinderella |
| kristin sherrill |
Posted - May 26 2009 : 1:53:27 PM
Yes I do. They don't always eat it but will go to it when they need a few licks. They know when they need it, too. I just have it in a bowl in the barn for them along with their mineral salt block and loose minerals. With all the babies out there, though, it tends to get knocked over. So when I put out fresh they all try to get to it at once.
Kris
Happiness is simple. |
| Beverley |
Posted - May 26 2009 : 1:00:18 PM
Do you have the baking soda out for them at all time?
Folks will know how large your soul is by the way you treat a dog....Charles F. Doran
beverley baggett Beverley with an extra E...
http://bevsdoggies.googlepages.com/ |
| kristin sherrill |
Posted - May 26 2009 : 12:09:43 PM
Gena, I am glad Sara is better. Last year one of my first fresheners did the same thing. I think she was just worn out from the stress of having twins the first time and just all the newness of being a mother. She got scours and just did not feel good. This year she had triplets and did fine. I have to hold her to let the kids nurse enough and bottle feed 1 or 2. But sometimes things get out of whack for the girls. It sounds like you are doing all you can for her. I'd just make sure she has plenty of good hay and some baking soda is good for them, too. Keeps the gut going. I keep a box for them all the time.
Kris
Happiness is simple. |
| grace gerber |
Posted - May 26 2009 : 07:17:58 AM
Poor Sara - I am sure your husband did his best and no matter how long we have been trimming hoofs - we all do it. I have one "Mother Goose" who has horrible hoofs - she came with them and over the yearas we have not been able to correct them. Now they really need to be done and she is so touchy about them it takes three of us to do it. Hang in there and please let us know how your farm is going - great to hear from another goat family.
Grace Gerber
Larkspur Funny Farm and Fiber Art Studio
Where the spirits are high and the fiber is deep
http://www.larkspurfunnyfarm.etsy.com
http://larkspurfunnyfarm.blogspot.com
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| southerncrossgirl |
Posted - May 26 2009 : 06:40:24 AM
Thanks Grace and Alee, I did check her udder. She seems to be doing better. I tend to think that she ate something. I gave her another shot of antibiotics just in case.
If that wasn't enough, my husband trimmed hooves yesterday, and guess whose he trimmed too close (because she jerked her leg) the same doe "Sara"! So I figured the shot may help that as well. My husband felt so bad.
Life on a farm, you gotta love it (literally)!
"A Dream Is A Wish Your Heart Makes"==Cinderella |
| grace gerber |
Posted - May 25 2009 : 11:36:00 PM
Bloating takes only a few hours before it is deadly so I am going to think that we are past that point. I have had first time mothers go off food for a day or two when their bodies are adjusting to milk production, the demands of caring for kids and the whole bit of just the stress. If she is drinking, up and walking and also taking care of the kids with no sign of infection in teats or milk overload then I would suggest you just watch closely and see how she is progressing. Since I have not heard any more from you I am also going to think that the issue has passed - it not please let us know so we might assist.
Grace Gerber
Larkspur Funny Farm and Fiber Art Studio
Where the spirits are high and the fiber is deep
http://www.larkspurfunnyfarm.etsy.com
http://larkspurfunnyfarm.blogspot.com
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| Alee |
Posted - May 25 2009 : 9:24:30 PM
My ranch friends suggest checking her stomach as well. Goats can bloat which can be deadly. So if she looks like she is inflating a bit or if her stomach is starting to feel hard- that might be an indication of bloat.
Alee
Farmgirl Sister #8
www.awarmheart.com
www.farmgirlalee.blogspot.com
www.allergyjourneys.blogspot.com
Put your pin on the farmgirl map! www.farmgirlmap.blogspot.com |
| grace gerber |
Posted - May 25 2009 : 6:43:13 PM
yes, she could have eaten something that has thrown her for a loop. I agree with Alee, check her utters and if you can also take her temp. I would also walk the pasture to make sure you do not have something in there that would cause issue. Do you have other goats on the pasture? If so, are they O.K. That is not to say that she did not eat something that the others would not.
Grace Gerber
Larkspur Funny Farm and Fiber Art Studio
Where the spirits are high and the fiber is deep
http://www.larkspurfunnyfarm.etsy.com
http://larkspurfunnyfarm.blogspot.com
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| Alee |
Posted - May 25 2009 : 2:15:30 PM
Is her udder hot or inflamed? Is the milk coming out okay? How do her eyes look? Are they normal or super bright or dim?
Alee
Farmgirl Sister #8
www.awarmheart.com
www.farmgirlalee.blogspot.com
www.allergyjourneys.blogspot.com
Put your pin on the farmgirl map! www.farmgirlmap.blogspot.com |
| southerncrossgirl |
Posted - May 25 2009 : 11:09:43 AM
I have noticed her lying around more. I did just put them where they have access to pasture. Do you think she may have eaten something that didn't agree with her?
"A Dream Is A Wish Your Heart Makes"==Cinderella |
| grace gerber |
Posted - May 25 2009 : 08:30:26 AM
Hi Gena
I know this can be scary but if I might ask a few questions to see what has been going on. First is the babies still nursing? Does the doe still drink water and get up and walk around??? Has she had any change in what she is eating or change in pasture?? Has her poop changed?
I know that is a lot of questions but all that will tell us what is going on.. Once I hear back I can give you some ideas..
Breath and we will make her feel better.
Grace Gerber
Larkspur Funny Farm and Fiber Art Studio
Where the spirits are high and the fiber is deep
http://www.larkspurfunnyfarm.etsy.com
http://larkspurfunnyfarm.blogspot.com
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