Last evening when I replaced the water, I noticed that it was down only a quart (or less) from when I put fresh water out around 3:30 that afternoon. Usually, I completely replace the water in the morning right after milking, again in the afternoon, and at bedtime as well as any time during the day it has gotten contaminated (by their standards which means a bug, leaf off the hay, etc.) It does not appear that any has been drank since last night, if so it was only a little.
Normally, when I finish milking Capri, the first thing she does is wait for me to bring the fresh bucket of water - which must be luke warm - and drink about a quart. She did not do that this morning and, as near as I can tell, it does not appear any has been drank in the past two hours. Since she nearly always goes for a drink when I freshen the water, irregardless of whether it was "contaminated," it is unusual behavior for her to not go there this past two times. If this were earlier in the year, I would think they are just drinking a small enough amount for me to notice, but we have had temps in the 80s this week.
She seems to be pooping fine and I observed her urinating yesterday afternoon so that seems okay. This morning, she gave 1-2/3 cup milk which is her high normal. Other than hesitating going back in which she does from time to time anyway, her behavior is normal. Yesterday, when I got home from work and refreshed their water, I also gave them a cool bucket of water but did not pay that much attention to how much since they don't drink it if it is cool. I have just put them in their alternate pen where they have trees to browse on and more green to nibble and have been careful to observe how much water I put in the their regular bucket. I shall also give them some water with apple juice in it but mark it so I know if they drank any.
Is it ever normal for a goat to take a water break like some animals (and people) will take a food break? Since she produced the normal amount of milk this morning, maybe I am concerned for nothing and they are drinking normally, just not as much. Also, are cranberries okay for them? If so, I may put a quart of water out with cranberry juice in it and see if she drinks it.
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I am having that same problem, Glenna. But I have well water, with a water system on it because of very hard water and high iron. I actually had my water system guy come out tuesday and flush everything, check all my levels, replace the salt, and restore order ($300 thank you very much!). He said except for slightly high PH everything looked and checked out fine. Crazy goats (and sheep)! They are drinking hardly anything at all, but seem perfectly fine otherwise. I may try your apple juice trick, thanks! :)
We have city water (though it is well water so could change in flavor), and I am wondering if they gave it an extra shot of chlorine; sometimes our water smells of chlorine but I have not noticed it for years though surely it would not take much for them to notice. I had them in their alternate pen all day today, just moved them back. They drank a quart of the half gallon apple juice (one cup in the half gallon) water that I fixed them. They drank maybe 3/4 of a quart from their regular pail so that is nearly half a gallon, not much for three goats but at least they are drinking a little. I'm going to keep a close eye on the water consumption; it is going to be warmer here for a few days. It would be bizarre if I had to filter water for my goats. <g>
It sounds strange to me, but as they say, you can lead a goat to water, but you can't make them drink. :) I'd just be sure there isn't anything different about your water. Sometimes well water changes, and drought is one thing that can make it change. Not sure if you're having that problem or not, but we sure are.