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I´ve never really had an goats before and my current Nigerian Dwarf male is constipated. I´ve read a lot and I´m worried. Is this serious? What can I do? The goat is eating and has energy.
Constipated Nigerian Dwarf Male
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How old is your goat and is he a buck or wether? What does his daily diet consist of and the amounts of each. Has he had anything different to eat recently? Thanks for answering these questions.
Raising Mini Nubians and a few unique chickens on the side.
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Maybe try giving him some probiotic and see if that works?
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Whatever was wrong thankfully fixed itself. My goat is now pooping with ease!
My goat is about 2 years old.
It is hard to describe his diet. I have a box that I fill up with hay to take out my two goats, that is about 4 times the size of a shoebox. They get a box of hay each day. And my goats get lots of treats each day during training, usually animal crackers or apples (lately, mostly apples). They get some extra carrots some days and then in the evening before bed they get about 1 1/2 cup of grain.
My goat is about 2 years old.
It is hard to describe his diet. I have a box that I fill up with hay to take out my two goats, that is about 4 times the size of a shoebox. They get a box of hay each day. And my goats get lots of treats each day during training, usually animal crackers or apples (lately, mostly apples). They get some extra carrots some days and then in the evening before bed they get about 1 1/2 cup of grain.
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You do need to feed quite a bit more hay for a healthy rumen. Snacks should be very limited.
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Often when male goats appear constipated it's actually a urinary blockage. The straining looks identical. Male goats can be quite prone to urinary calculi (stones). Unless you're feeding alfalfa hay, it sounds like they may need a bit more calcium in their diet. Do you include ammonium chloride on their grain?
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@ksalvagno @goatblessings
How much additional hay? I feeding timothy, although I would like to switch to alfalfa.
How much additional hay? I feeding timothy, although I would like to switch to alfalfa.
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I'm think it wasn't a urinary blockage because he is urinating just fine, and was when I thought he was constipated. I am not currently giving any supplements.
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Hay should be offered essentially "free choice" , as much are they'll eat without a boat load of waste.
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Agree - free choice hay, all they want, a good loose mineral.
How did you know he was constipated?
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I have been looking into vitamins/ minerals for them. I posted a thread about it. I didn't realize how it expensive it was.
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I increased the amount of hay I've been giving them substantially after all the recommendations, however, in the last few days that have put on a lot of weight.
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It looked like he was squeezing really hard to get something out. He was arching his back a lot too. Both times I watched him do this, only one small pellet came out.
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Does he extend his penis when he does this?
Sometimes my boys do this, like a hormonal thing.
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