The Accidental Smallholder Forum
Livestock => Goats => Topic started by: NormandyMary on June 15, 2011, 04:51:47 pm
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Yesterday, my boys had their second round of vaccinations at the vets, when they came home, they were okay. roaming about the garden having fun and games. All was well too, when I put them to bed last night.
This morning however, when I let them out they weren't their usual bouncy noisy selves, they were still lying down in their sleeping positions. Later in the morning, my husband and I went down to check them and they were very reluctant to come out of their house. They seemed very lethargic and timid. I havent even heard a bleat out of them.
Ive just been down to clean out their house and to sit with them for a while, they wouldnt come anywhere near me for a stroke. With Billy, that's normal, but not Toby who just loves loads of attention.
Do you think it could be the after effects of their jabs yesterday? Obviously when they had their last lot, they were castrated at the same time and were a bit "off" for a few days. Do you think it could be the weather, its very muggy and overcast today. Their digestive systems seem to be okay (their no2's)but they dont seem to be eating as much as normal.
Please, any suggestions gratefully received as Im so worried about them. I lost a chook to the dreaded fox this morning, the 5th in a month. I just dont need anymore bad news!
Thanks folks,
Mary.
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What were they vaccinated with ? As they are lethargic, cut out hard feed at the present... it is one less thing to challenge their systems... just hay ad lib for a few days.
To have an adverse reaction to vaccine is very unusual... in fact in the last 35 years of goat keeping I have never heard of it, and I have had a lot of goats - up to 200 at one time !!!
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Do hope your boys are back to their usual selves in the morning. Goats are strange creatures - cannot stand pain. Perhaps they are sulking about having their jabs? Like Wytsend, I cannot see that the injections would make them go like this. Could be the weather, like you said.
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I've got 2 goats and 7 lambs all laid out on the paddock currently. the weather is making them all lethargic and the goats will, I am sure, go back into their shed in a moment as its cool.
HOpe they are ok, try not to worry, worrying as it is though when you have animals that you love to bits x
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Thanks one and all for your concern and replies. When I put the boys to bed last night, I did what Wytsend said and just gave them hay which they started to devour like they hadnt eaten in weeks! This morning when I got them out, they looked much brighter and even gave me a little bleat each. I checked on them an hour later and they were still out in their run. They did have a shock this morning though, they had to witness my last 2 chooks being killed and carried away by a fox. I just hope it doesnt stay with them for too long. They really loved the chookies. Its so nice and a great relief to see them back to their normal cheeky selves! Ill re-start their biscuits again tonight, just a few to start off with.
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sorry about your hens - were they free ranging, and open to foxes?
Good to hear your little fellows are feeling brighter today. If they are eating, they are fine!!
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Glad to hear the boys are feeling better - but sorry about the chooks :-*