Fellow goat owners...

[4H kids and mom]

My goat kids seem to have somewhat dry itchy skin. Anything I can do to help this? Would an oatmeal bath made for puppies do wonders to soothe them, or should I let it be? Ok, you probably will want more info, so here goes what I can think of.

They get free choice hay and free range the yard all day for grasses, clover, twigs, leaves, etc. They get roughly 3 cups of DuMor Goat Formula pellets mixed with 1/2 cup of 16% sweet feed (each) in the morning before I let them out. Then they get another 2-3 cups of DuMor pellets in the evening when I pen them back up. They always have fresh water (their waterer has rigged to fill automatically). Their poop is nice firm little bee-bees. Their ears are clean, mouth looks good, breath isn't bad, no fleas or mites or parasites.

Any ideas how I can make them more comfortable? Should I sheer them? (One is an Angora and I always worry she's hot with all that hair).

 

[lacyloo]

i have heared that you should not shave them inless you are going to make wool stuf out of them cause, there hair is a insulater (sp) for winter and summer,but if its really hot i would shave them and just make sure they have shade to keep them cool,and for the dry scin,they might have lice oir smething i dont really know i give my goats baths to keep them clean.

 

[Henny peeny]

SHEAR THE ANGORA!!!

Do you think it is hot?? well the ANGROA probably thinks it is very hot. They are to be sheared once or twice a year I think. And did you know if you don't it could be thought of animal cruelty. As far as washing use a puppy shamppo I had my goat Daisy she had bugs and I had to wash her in puppy shampoo NOT DOG it is too harsh for her. So if you get a puppy Shampoo that is for Dry skin I think that will be ok.

Rhayden

 

[BarbK]

Shear the angora!!! It is not to late in the season. I will call the lady that I know who owns angora goats and ask how often it should be done and let you know. I am thinking twice a year though. Once in spring and once in summer but don't quote me.

 

[nccountrygirl]

It's like us wearing mink coats in August, Shear the goat