[PurpleCArTires]

I have 6 goats and they all used to pack their rumens everyday (to the point they look 4 months pregnant with twins lol)

Lately 4 of them are just not eating like they used to. They are eating and I can feel the hay in their rumens and they chew their cud, they just are not looking nice and round like usual. Also two of them do get grain and they eat that with no problem. They all act totally fine, drinking water, playing, etc.

Their FAMANCHA looks fine. I did dose with some copper since their coats are starting to look dull.

It has been very rainy/muddy out and they spend most of the day in or near their stalls and out of the mud. Their hay is located inside their dry stalls, so they still have access to it.

My Boer buck has actually lost 8 lbs. The rest are still maintaining or slowly gaining weight.

Does anyone have similar "seasons" with their goats where they are just not into eating as much? Is there a way to stimulate appetite? Is there something else possibly going on?

For reference: Here is a pic of one from a few weeks ago and her again today.

She used to look nice and round all the time, but now she looks slender. None of them are skin and bones, they just aren't packing their rumens like they used to.

 

[PurpleCArTires]

We have also been rainy and muddy and warm. the goats have been basically barn trolls. They have not been nearly as active and they have their winter coats all grown so I have noticed a slow down on their consumption and an uptick on their hay waste. But they are all looking healthy and they still push each other around for treats and seem strong. My doe in milk is maintaining her condition and milk production, so I’m just assuming they are eating less because they are needing fewer calories… lol if only I did that 🤣

Seriously LOL!

Well i didnt even think about the fact they are all puffed up for winter now. Come to think of it, the 4 that arent packing their rumens do have their fluffy winter coat now. Thats a good point... maybe they just dont need as much and I am just not used to seeing them slender, so it looks like something is wrong.

 

[PurpleCArTires]

I would probably check a fecal on the one losing weight. I don’t like when they lose weight

Same here, he is the most concerning because of the weight loss. He doesnt look skinny by any means, but he is only 10 months old and should be growing, not loosing. I'll see if I can drop a fecal off at my vets. His FAMANCHA looks great, but a fecal will tell for sure.

Thank you for the sugguestion!

 

[PurpleCArTires]

For those curious, I got the fecal results back and my buck loosing weight does not have a worm load or cocci. My vet recommended 3cc B-Complex and 3cc B-12 daily for a week to stimulate appetite. Fingers crossed 🤞. She also said don't feed him grain or Alfalfa pellets to try and condition him (she is worried about UC).

My other goats are packing their rumens again. I guess the copper kicked in for them 🙌

 

[PurpleCArTires]

Always a relief to know no worm issue 😊
I was thinking maybe they just aren’t as hungry if they are not getting exercise since it’s wet out.

I am hoping that's the case, I think that was the case with the other goats, they didnt loose weight. But I am hoping we can stimulate the bucks appetite and he can stop loosing weight and hopefully start gaining again