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Needing lil more help with 3wk old baby goat

Posted by MsCritterkeeper on January 1, 2013 at 10:43pm in Goats 101

Hiya Ladies,

Happy New Year to all. The little orphaned goat baby(Rowdy) is now about 3 wks old and doing pretty good. He's been living in my laundry room in a big storage tote and going outside for a romp a little bit.My question is how do I transition him to being outdoors all the time?? It is cold here most of the time now lows in the 20's at night but highs in the day aroung 40's or better. The barn is open but dry...could you give me some suggestions on how you'd handle the transition...

Thanks so much for any help.

MsC

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  • Melissa Johnson January 5, 2013 at 1:34pm

    Me too!  The big girls however, may say, "if it isnt cashmere - I'm not wearing it!"  LOL
     
    Jess said:

    I LOVE these sweaters. what a great idea. I wish I had big ones for my girls as it was -20 outside yesterday morning.
     
    Patty Meyer said:

    I don't think that's right about the green poo.  Baby goat poo usually goes from the first sticky, blackish tar poops to a mustard yellow paste, then more berry like, and finally regular, but tiny, berries.  By three weeks, usually berries if he has been eating some hay and grain.  Is his poop normal now?

    If you could find an old fleece sweatshirt or jacket with a ribbed cuff, you could make him a little sweater.  Cut off the sleeve at the appropriate length, cut two "arm" holes, and cut away the part from under his belly so he can pee, and walla, a goat sweater.  I'll try to add a pic I have on my page in a second, so you can see the ones we made.

    Best wishes!

    Here's that picture.  The kid in the front is a boy, wearing his little sweater. :)

    Cupcake and Twins

  • Glenna Rose January 5, 2013 at 2:41am

    Warming hut photo and discussion:

    http://nigeriandwarfgoats.ning.com/forum/topics/homemade-warming-hu...

    I was going to make one of these and walked by my compost bin and decided to use it; it worked great.  Mine is similar to this, removed the lid and hung the heat lamp over it suspended from the ceiling on a chain so there was no chance of the lamp falling.  The door was perfect for Ginger going in and out at will.

    http://www.northerntool.com/shop/tools/product_200418183_200418183?...{keyword}&gclid=CIT55enb0LQCFRCCQgodEkoA6w

    If you decide to use a warming hut of some sort, you will, of course, turn the "door" away from the doorway/opening of the larger building/barn.

  • MsCritterkeeper January 4, 2013 at 11:57pm

    So today was a lot better no goopy poo,just reg goatie pellets.

    I only gave him hay and a few  pellets of Dumor food it's says its 16 percent protein.

    He's still on the Mana Pro multi species milk replacer and seems to be doing fine. He's taking 8 oz about 4 times aday.

    Sunday it's supposed to in the 50's and be sunny , think I may try letting him play outside a bit.

    Also will get him a new sweater to wear...I'm off to pack to see the grandbabies tomorrow so yall have a great weekend!

    Thanks so much for your input.

  • Jess January 4, 2013 at 2:17pm

    I LOVE these sweaters. what a great idea. I wish I had big ones for my girls as it was -20 outside yesterday morning.
     
    Patty Meyer said:

    I don't think that's right about the green poo.  Baby goat poo usually goes from the first sticky, blackish tar poops to a mustard yellow paste, then more berry like, and finally regular, but tiny, berries.  By three weeks, usually berries if he has been eating some hay and grain.  Is his poop normal now?

    If you could find an old fleece sweatshirt or jacket with a ribbed cuff, you could make him a little sweater.  Cut off the sleeve at the appropriate length, cut two "arm" holes, and cut away the part from under his belly so he can pee, and walla, a goat sweater.  I'll try to add a pic I have on my page in a second, so you can see the ones we made.

    Best wishes!

    Here's that picture.  The kid in the front is a boy, wearing his little sweater. :)

    Cupcake and Twins

  • Melissa Johnson January 4, 2013 at 2:59am

    I had a goat get a foot caught in the space - not pretty.  She didnt get hurt, but it really freaked her out and I had to help her get it out.  lots of straw - at the time I was just getting them situated. :(
     
    Rachel Whetzel said:

    That's just perfect! Do the walls face in a way that shields them from direct winds? I think with a heat lamp, and a sweater, he'd probably be fine! You might just put him out in the day for a few hours at a time, and slowly increase that, until he's out all day, and then bring him in a nights for a while until you feel comfortable with his status in your herd. Once he has established himself, he'll be able to snuggle with other goats for warmth at night.

     

    The poop. It *could* be signs of Coccidiosis. That can be fatal, so keep a close eye on your guy. It could also be that he is getting too much grain. Too much grain can cause diarrhea in all goats, and especially in babies with rumens that are still growing. Cut back on his grains, and provide him with grass hay for a while to see if that helps.

    The Pallets You don't even HAVE to put a cover over the pallet... I lay mine down on the ground, and cover them with hay. The hay fills the cracks, and the goats like it. A thick layer of hay or straw straight on the ground helps with heat retention too. :)

  • Melissa Johnson January 4, 2013 at 2:57am

    that barn area is awesome! Di-Methox  ???? for cocci?  Hoeggers product mag says dose them at 3 weeks?? and until they're weaned (if they are nursing)??  something like that.

  • Melissa Johnson January 4, 2013 at 2:51am

    I gave my buck kid diarrhea when I first brought him home with alfalfa.... learned a good lesson. I had forgotten about that

    Rachel Whetzel said:

    Since you say most of your does are bordering on overweight, I'd say you might be spoiling them! lol Bucks and wethers don't need alfalfa or grain at all. Just free choice hay. Does that aren't lactating or in the last two weeks of pregnancy don't need grain or alfalfa either. :) Does that are lactating do need the added nutrition to help them support their kids (or you if you're milking)

  • MsCritterkeeper January 4, 2013 at 2:24am

    ok thanks so very much...I'll check in in the morning afrer my chores are done.

    .Maybe he will improve enough I won't have to worry...praying.....good night

  • Rachel Whetzel at MigMog Acres January 4, 2013 at 2:20am

    When one of my babies got Coccidiosis, I gave him pepto to keep him from getting dehydrated. Medicated feed won't help if he's already got it, but if he does, I'd say you'd not be seeing improvement. He'd just be getting worse. There is medication for treating (I can't think of it off hand) so I vote pack pepto (but be careful that you understand it will only mask the illness, not cure it) and get some medication for Coccidiosis if you aren't seeing improvement before you leave. Pro biotics are helpful to bring back balance in the rumen, but I personally would wait a day before I gave it.

  • MsCritterkeeper January 4, 2013 at 2:12am

    ok... I'll check the bag in the a.m. So would a little Pro Bios help his rumen adjust? I use it when I handfeed baby birds...

    Should I use a medicated pellet or other meds if it continues. We're going to see the grandbabies on Saturday & I'm taking him with us so should I pack something for goatie diarreaha?

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