Possibly skinny buckling

806 Views 22 Replies 5 Participants Last post by K.B., Sep 24, 2021

Moorerebecca47

Discussion Starter · Sep 23, 2021

I am new to goats. I have 2 bucklings i bought about 2 weeks ago. They are 5 months old. When I brought them home they were coughing a lot. I gave power punch drench and probios and that actually seemed to calm the cough. Still coughing though. The herd was negative for CL and CAE in june of 2021. Anyways, they are a little shy and one is warming up to us but as I was petting him tonight I could really feel his spine and hip bones. I have been able to pet them a little and I dont remember feeling the bones before. I was told to feed orchard grass and I have added oregon valley grass hay as well but that's all they will eat. I just dont know what I can feed them since i hear bucks cant have what my does have. Which is them same but they eat browse and grain and some fruits and veggies. I have tried apples, lettuce, carrots, grain, and crackers but they wont eat any. Everyone also has loose minerals and baking soda free choice as well as the free choice hay. Also, they spend the entire day in the shelter. Wont come out much. They arent really skinny but boney. I will be deworming with valbazen tomorrow. What can I do to help these boys gain some fat? Is it a concern? I dont want fat goats but I dont want boney either. Thank you for all and any advice.

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K.B.

· #2 · Sep 23, 2021

Pictures would be nice

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Reactions: 1

ksalvagno

· #3 · Sep 23, 2021

Baking soda shouldn't be out free choice. It deactivates ammonium chloride. They also make their own bicarbonate and eating baking soda tells their body to stop making it. Then you have problems when they bloat.

What is their temp? Have you had a fecal done to include coccidia?

Reactions: 3

goathiker

· #4 · Sep 23, 2021

Young bucks need grain while they're growing, especially in Oregon. Valley hay is severely deficient in many amino acids.
That said, go buy a bag of this from wilco and get them growing properly. It's so much better than the goat feed. Also worm them.

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goathiker

· #5 · Sep 23, 2021

Where did you buy them? I need to know your area and theirs to help with proper worming medication.

Moorerebecca47

Discussion Starter · #6 · Sep 23, 2021

goathiker said:
Where did you buy them? I need to know your area and theirs to help with proper worming medication.

My area is Cottage Grove, south lane county and the area I bought them from was west Eugene. I have been doing research about what to feed bucks and there is so many answers out there. The person I bought them from just said orchard grass and valley hay. They get some forage but they dont leave the shelter much. I kind of feel like they are needing a good wormer, and probably some vitamins. My black and white boy has some rusty color coming out of his black so I have copper bolus to give them i am just not sure when i should give it to them?

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Moorerebecca47

Discussion Starter · #7 · Sep 23, 2021

goathiker said:
Young bucks need grain while they're growing, especially in Oregon. Valley hay is severely deficient in many amino acids.
That said, go buy a bag of this from wilco and get them growing properly. It's so much better than the goat feed. Also worm them.
View attachment 212883

I have on hand valbazen and was going to worm them today and Give them a bath since its supposed to be a bit warm for the next 2 days. I thought that they need grain but I was told they didnt need it and it wasn't good for them. I have also read many places they dont need grain or cant have it, so that is why I am asking. Thank you. So how much do I give them per day? I knew the valley hay wasn't best so that is why they get mostly orchard grass.

Moorerebecca47

Discussion Starter · #8 · Sep 23, 2021

ksalvagno said:
Baking soda shouldn't be out free choice. It deactivates ammonium chloride. They also make their own bicarbonate and eating baking soda tells their body to stop making it. Then you have problems when they bloat.

What is their temp? Have you had a fecal done to include coccidia?

Ok I will remove it. So I would only give it to them if they bloat? I havent taken a temp because they dont seem sick but they sure seem to be lacking some vitamins and minerals. I will be calling the vet today to get a fecal done. I think it would be best.

K.B.

· #9 · Sep 23, 2021

Are they whethers... the reason they say not to give grain is they can get like kidney stones, UC... more common in whethers ... you can add or get a food with ammonium chloride to help with that.

Moorerebecca47

Discussion Starter · #10 · Sep 23, 2021

K.B. said:
Pictures would be nice ...

I will get some pictures this morning.

Reactions: 1

Moorerebecca47

Discussion Starter · #11 · Sep 23, 2021

K.B. said:
Are they whethers... the reason they say not to give grain is they can get like kidney stones, UC... more common in whethers ... you can add or get a food with ammonium chloride to help with that.

They are intact bucklings. I understand that is why I was told no grain because it can cause stones. But I definitely need to get these boys up to good health.

Reactions: 1

K.B.

· #12 · Sep 23, 2021

I don't know your area but check for a goat feed that has the ammonium chloride in it! Some say it's not enough but it's better than none... or you could add your own to their diet UltraCruz Goat Ammonium Chloride Supplement, 2.5 lb, Powder (sc-520194) Amazon.com: UltraCruz Goat Ammonium Chloride Supplement, 2.5 lb, Powder (sc-520194) : Pet Supplies

goathiker

· #13 · Sep 23, 2021

The food reccomend contains ammonium chloride and coccidiastat.

Reactions: 1

Moorerebecca47

Discussion Starter · #14 · Sep 24, 2021

Oreo is the black and white buckling! He is the one I can feel his hip and spine. Chester is the gold moonlines buckling. Chester will eat grain but not oreo.

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Moorerebecca47

Discussion Starter · #15 · Sep 24, 2021

Dog breed Grass Felidae Fawn Carnivore

I was able to find Dumor goat pellets with ammonium chloride. Not the sweet feed kind.

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Moorerebecca47

Discussion Starter · #16 · Sep 24, 2021

And just for fun. Here are my 2 nigerian dwarf and toggenburg does. These 2 are sisters.

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Lil Boogie

· #17 · Sep 24, 2021

The doe's are beautiful!

K.B.

· #18 · Sep 24, 2021

Moorerebecca47 said:
Oreo is the black and white buckling! He is the one I can feel his hip and spine. Chester is the gold moonlines buckling. Chester will eat grain but not oreo. View attachment 212908

View attachment 212907

They don't look overly thin so that's a good thing

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Moorerebecca47

Discussion Starter · #19 · Sep 24, 2021

K.B. said:
They don't look overly thin so that's a good thing

Well ccx that is what I thought. My husband said he doesnt seem to thin. He looks like he is eating well. Maybe they are just shaped different.

Reactions: 1

K.B.

· #20 · Sep 24, 2021

But that's the pictures your the one who can feel them... wouldn't hurt to put some meat on the bones lol

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