cost per goat

[greyfields]

That's a great point. Any dewormer labeled "Dairy Safe" is probably one to look into for goats. Where I am at, liver fluke is a big deal, so that's why we use the +plus.

 

[kstaven]

I really have to ask about the not getting wet part. I have seen the comment before and always questioned it. Why all the worry about a goat getting wet? My dairy goats (toggs) go out and play in the rain all the time and then go back inside to dry off and I have never had a health issue. Or is this an issue with some breeds more than others? I know the kids are not cold hardy and can be quite fragile, but short of a raging blizzard mine go out in all sorts of weather.

I do hope some one jumps in with some comments here.

 

[helmstead]

LOL I was going to leave it alone...

My goats get wet all the time. They have a nice warm place to get DRY. I've never had so much as a snotty nose. They mainly don't LIKE to get wet so they hide in barns, houses and under eaves to avoid it.

 

[greyfields]

Over my lifetime I've had more goats die from pneumonia which often kills them before you even recognize the symptoms. Maybe it's our climate here. But it was always something the vet asked, "Did they ever get rained on?" I mean, I've had healthy goats just be dead when I go out in the morning. It's almost always pneumonia that does it.

 

[helmstead]

Yeah, we do have a relatively mild climate here. Probably makes a world of difference. Once we move to Indiana, I'm sure we'll have to be more prudent.

 

[juliacale]

Could the breed of goats be a factor in the rain issue? I mean I'm sure angoras are more affected than, say, nigerians.

agree?

 

[kstaven]

I've wondered about the breed question myself and never found an official answer. We are prone to severe temp swings here in the winter and yet pneumonia is an issue I have never faced.