I have 2 pregnant does, first timers, Pygmy and Nigerian Dwarf crosses. They were having grain each day until I read on this site that you should not feed them grain, only hay. I weaned them off it, and use it only as a treat now. Seems to be fine. They are due in April. I have been feeding them a lot of tiny deer apples, chopped in half, seeds and all, maybe 4 each a day. They eat some carrots too, but mainly eat hay and grass. (not much snow in MIchigan this winter). It did snow the other day and I could see that one of the does peed a few times a salmony color. What does this mean? ANyone know if apples could be wrong for goats? Are the seeds poisonous? Could they be causing problems?
Deborah suggested that it may be dehydration so my plan today is to start offering fresh water 2x daily.
Replies
Hej from Sweden,
Sorry to be just getting back to you Shana. I felt bad yesterday when I realized I hadn't directed you to the post about my herd diet. Please go on again and this time go to "Happenings at Gullringstorp". There you will see the diet. I do hope someone on this forum with much more experience than you and I can help you with this problem. You are going to have babies in April!!! So am I!! I have 3 ladies due in April!
I can't wait to see your babies. Mine will be on my blog.
Bye for now.
Thank you kindly Hej for your reply, helpful to know about the apples. I assumed they were fine, someone who knows nothing about goats remarked on the seeds being potentially harmful, I should have listened to my intuition on that one, just wondering what the color is. It may also be that they broke into the chicken pen and ate some of their layer pellets. They seem otherwise very happy and normal so I am not too worried, just curious. This is all new to me, can't wait for APril when they are due. Your blog is beautiful, thank you for sharing Nej. I couldnt find where the diet was written up, but enjoyed the goat treat suggestion. Take care, Shana
Hej from Sweden,
I have 17 goats and have always fed my little herd a bowl of chopped apples and carrots with raisins and kale if I can get it. I have never had any issues with off color pee pee. All my goats love apples and I feed them all through pregnancies. I am not so sure as to why t hey are having issues. Hopefully someone on this forum can help answer your questions. It's no fun to worry about your goats, sorry!
My goat diet is on my blog: http:/gullringstorpgoatsblog.wordpress.com