Loose stools in goat.

[chickypoos3]

I recently bought two adorable 6 week old weathers. They settled in very well. Today I noticed the one has soft stool...It's cow patty consistently. He is eating,drink, and acting himself. Him and his brother have been escaping on and off the past week and occasionally go to the chicken feeders and help them selves. They don't get much more than a few mouth fulls by the time I find them out. They are eating quality hay and a textured goat feed that looks and smells like a sweet feed. They have been on this diet for almost two weeks now. I don't think I have any toxic plants in my yard but I do have rhododendron and I have read those are toxic to goats. I make sure they steer clear of them. Should I just watch the stool consistency or treat it? If treat it can it be treated with Pepto? Your advice is greatly appreciated!!

 

[Peaches Lee]

I'm sorry your little goats aren't feeling well. Perhaps they need dewormed?

 

[chickypoos3]

I do have everything to vaccinate and deworm them. I was just going to wait till they where closer to twelve weeks old. They will be in about another 2 weeks.

 

[chickypoos3]

Is it ok to do it now? They are 9 weeks old.

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

Are they weaned? Goats that are on milk will have looser stools until they begin to eat enough hay. When their rumen is fully formed they start to make berries. Too much grain or inconsistent milk can cause loose stools.

 

[chickypoos3]

Nope not on any milk anymore. I have had them for about 2 weeks now and they have only eaten hay and goat grain and water. What can I treat the diarrhea with if it gets worse?

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

I would always just feed only hay until they got more solid, so I don't know what some people do as far as treating.

 

[Chickerdoodle13]

It is very likely that it is a combination of the chicken grain and the sweet feed but it is impossible to say for sure through the computer. There are definitely other things that can cause diarrhea in young goats as well. I would recommend taking them off grain all together and feeding a high quality grass hay. Male goats are very prone to forming urinary stones and sweet feed can be a big contributor. If you must feed grain (to keep weight on or to supplement the hay) a pelleted goat feed without molasses is the best choice.

Just remember to make any transitions of feed slowly.

I would also recommend taking a fecal sample to a vet to see what parasites you might be dealing with. Goats will naturally have some parasites but when they get to high enough numbers some of them can cause diarrhea. I recommend having fecals done before worming to reduce resistance.

 

[henny1129]

You've been given some great advice, but I would just like to add a little bit. I know how hard it is to keep goats from escaping, but try to not let them get out and eat the chicken grain. I bet that's one of the factors to them having diarrhea. Good luck!

 

[chickens really]

Coccoid comes to mind.....The baby goats might have that ??........Eating around where Chickens poop......Take a stool sample into a Vet.......


Cheers!