The Accidental Smallholder Forum

Livestock => Goats => Topic started by: xemonsus on April 14, 2016, 07:44:47 pm

Title: Advice needed re kids with bloated bellies pls
Post by: xemonsus on April 14, 2016, 07:44:47 pm

Hello,

We have 2 kids from separate mums who are admittedly quite carefree with their child care who are regularly coming in at night with soft but balloon looking tummies. None of our other kids are doing the same just these 2. I've cut all hard foods out of their evening rations now and they have been wormed is there anything else I can do?
They seem fine in themselves eating and playing?

Many thanks in advance :)

Title: Re: Advice needed re kids with bloated bellies pls
Post by: clydesdaleclopper on April 15, 2016, 09:14:49 am

What age are they?

Title: Re: Advice needed re kids with bloated bellies pls
Post by: xemonsus on April 15, 2016, 06:39:40 pm

Sorry ment to put that they are 12wk old now, and do seem to eat a lot of hay/hardwood etc

Title: Re: Advice needed re kids with bloated bellies pls
Post by: clydesdaleclopper on April 15, 2016, 06:49:49 pm

Do you have a lot of fresh grass growth?

Title: Re: Advice needed re kids with bloated bellies pls
Post by: Anke on April 15, 2016, 09:25:46 pm

Damp fresh grass = bloated tummies... like Clydesdaleclopper says...

Title: Re: Advice needed re kids with bloated bellies pls
Post by: xemonsus on April 15, 2016, 11:01:45 pm

Thanks yes our grass is starting to come through so I needn't worry then?

Thanks all for your replies :)

Title: Re: Advice needed re kids with bloated bellies pls
Post by: clydesdaleclopper on April 16, 2016, 09:45:01 am

You do need to keep an eye on it to make sure you don't get a full blown case of bloat.

Title: Re: Advice needed re kids with bloated bellies pls
Post by: xemonsus on April 16, 2016, 02:16:44 pm

Ok so is it just volume of food causing this, is there anything I can give them to improve their first ice system or is it just down to not allowing them too much of something?  :)

Title: Re: Advice needed re kids with bloated bellies pls
Post by: Anke on April 16, 2016, 03:44:33 pm

The grass will be quite wet most mornings - so I would make sure they don't get outside until they had a good fill of hay, absolutely no frosted grass. Also limit time outside. I would always leave a good hour between bottle of milk and going outside, but if kids are on the dam, then they will take little and often, so that doesn't apply.

Title: Re: Advice needed re kids with bloated bellies pls
Post by: xemonsus on April 16, 2016, 07:36:27 pm

Many thanks shall take your advice :)

Thanks again :)