The Goat Spot Forum banner

How to deal with a picky eater

6K views 79 replies 12 participants last post by  toth boer goats 
#1 ·
Corey, the disaster princess, is an extremely picky eater. Shes always been outside all day so it hasn't been a problem cause she eats grass and leaves and such, but with winter coming and her being kept inside now, we're running into the issue that she wont eat hay. She'll pick at it, but she wont eat about 80% of the hay, just the bits of grass and clover mixed in, and she wont eat alfalfa pellets. Only sweet feed and fresh veggies. Obviously this is unsustainable, and its extra bad because shes still recovering from coccidia and needs to put on some weight.

So does any one have any advice for getting a picky goat to actually eat? Letting her be hungry doesn't seem to be doing it, and we're getting worried.
 
#34 ·
Not much to update today, shes still being annoyingly picky about what she eats and it doesnt seem to be determined by how hard things are to chew, but she is eating still so we'll deal with how picky she is later. For now her wound isnt swelling back up so thats good. But I am continually reminded how awful it is that goats can't be properly litter trained XD I'd love her as a house goat forever, but diapers are expensive and dont come in adult goat size.
 
#36 ·
Moms decided to keep Corey in till she puts some actual weight on. We aren't sure how we're going to transition her outside when its colder, but we don't want to risk her getting chilled. She's happy as can be about this decision as she gets all the cuddles she wants in here. Shes eating plenty, about every hour or so, so shes progressing well.
 
#40 ·
Shes finally got her weird little skip back in her step! Shes eating like crazy and we're really happy. Moms going to put her on a round of antibiotics now that shes no longer on deaths door, just to be sure to wipe out any nastiness left in her cheek. Its still pretty smelly and gross but its not swelling back up. We also think she might have a bit of a cold, so Im trying to remember to get a thermometer. We dont go to town often (for obvious reasons) but thats on the to do list as soon as possible. Shes a bit gurgley in her breathing again so I wanna make sure shes okay.
 
#43 ·
Oh yes shes getting lots of pumpkin! We got all our friends halloween pumpkins and cut them up for her every night, as well as garlic and apple and carrots. She gets the good stuff while shes healing :D

Im really hoping her gurgles are just due to her having caught a cold while she was chilled, but we'll see how shes doing after the antibiotics.
 
#47 ·
Shes doing pretty good, got a lot more energy but her cough is really bothering me. It doesnt seem to be going away or getting any better. Its very wet and different then any cough she's had before, and shes very snotty, but only on one side. We didn't end up doing the antibiotic drench because it'd be a pain to do in the house since we have dogs, but I dont know if it would help or not?
 
#52 ·
You can use children’s Robitussin DM for her cough and vet RX in her stuffy nose and also Benadryl for her cold. But I’d start with the robitussin and vet RX. Benadryl can cause animals to not eat since she’s having eating issues I’d wait on it.
My goats prefer the honey flavored robitussin they will suck it right out of the syringe I use to measure it in. Lol
 
#54 · (Edited)
Shes had two shots now, and shes coughing less often, but harder when she does cough so I think some fluids are moving out. Her nose is also no longer running as much, and she's no longer shaking her head weirdly. She also grew a bit! Shes still really skinny but shes progressing well :D We're currently just hoping she doesn't try to eat the christmas tree once it goes up. If the cough is still there after the antibiotics, I'll definitely bring up robitussin!



Oh also! Shes finally started eating more hay! So hopefully she becomes less picky!
 
#55 ·
Don’t like the hunching.

Have you taken her temp lately? Eating OK?

If the kid is 1 month old cocci can be an issue.
Lungworms or other worm types may also be an issue.
How old is this kid?
Can you get a fecal for worms and cocci?
 
#56 · (Edited)
Don't like the hunching.

Have you taken her temp lately? Eating OK?

If the kid is 1 month old cocci can be an issue.
Lungworms or other worm types may also be an issue.
How old is this kid?
Can you get a fecal for worms and cocci?
She 9 months, born early march as a premie, she was just recently treated for cocci and worms and such :D Shes usually not hunched except when shes eating because her legs grew bit but her neck hasnt caught up so shes a little wonky right now (at least thats what dad says) when shes not leaning down she doesnt usually hunch lately. She also kinda tucks her butt in when the diaper is on. I'll try to get some pictures of her in other positions and compare, cause now that you point it out the slope of her back does seem pretty odd.

Shes eating like its an olympic sport though. It almost seems constant XD I havent managed to remember to pick up a thermometer yet, but its on the list. I'd also like to get another fecal done at some point and I've been prodding my parents about that, just to ensure everything was taken care of with the round of meds. Its a bit hard to get a proper casual picture of her cause as soon as she realizes you're looking at her she tries to walk over for pets. Shes a terrible model.
 
#58 ·
Antibiotics are done now, and I think shes basically through all the bad stuff. Still get the odd cough but its mostly gone, and she feels heavier every day. The best part is her actually eating hay. :D Don't know how much longer she'll be inside because mom wants more weight on her before she goes back out so she'll most likely be here for christmas. Im trying to convince my mom to make her a little hat and cape but she's not biting XD Sjes outgrowing the baby diapers though, so shes gotta go into pull ups which is fun. Thanks for all the advice everyone!
 
#60 ·
I was wrong, I'm back again. We did 7 days of antibiotic, and her cough was starting to go away, but its 4 days after and now shes started coughing more again, and her nose is running, and she keeps shaking her head weirdly, like theres something wrong with her one ear. Shes still eating like crazy and gaining weight and growing, its just the cough. But we feel like the antibiotic should have wiped out anything like pneumonia or something?
 
#64 ·
Omg I was at walmart today and forgot AGAIN to get a thermometer. We're going out again tomorrow and I wrote it on the list this time so hopefully I will have one then >:I
For the antibiotic, we have a Trimethoprim and sulfadoxine mix called Borgal. Mom says her cough seems kind of better today so we might be able to leave it? But Im definitely giong to get a temp on her as soon as I can.
 
This is an older thread, you may not receive a response, and could be reviving an old thread. Please consider creating a new thread.
Top