The Accidental Smallholder Forum

Livestock => Goats => Topic started by: JedM on April 17, 2018, 07:57:16 pm

Title: Coccidiosis
Post by: JedM on April 17, 2018, 07:57:16 pm

2 of my pygmy kids went down with coccidiosis this year :-\.  The vet has treated them and they are fine now, but I can't seem to find much info on how to prevent it happening.
My vet said that the nannies have been kidding in the same field for too long, and I should rotate where they kid.    If this is the case, could I swap my lambing field for the kidding field and vice versa, or would this case the same problem?  ???

Title: Re: Coccidiosis
Post by: Anke on April 17, 2018, 08:36:46 pm

Yep, not much you can do about cocci in kids, sheep have the same cocci species as far as I now. Incubation period is three weeks, so if you drench them just as they get to three weeks and maybe again at 6 weeks you should be able to ensure they don't go down with it too badly. You can also drench the adults before kidding, but I have never done this.


I find as long as I am aware of when it can happen - and it happens to a few of my kids every year, but never all of them - it is something that can be managed.


I now use Baycox rather than Vecoxan, cheaper and lasts longer. You may have to get it through your vet, as of course not licensed for goats.

Title: Re: Coccidiosis
Post by: JedM on April 18, 2018, 02:53:56 pm

Thanks Anke.

I drench the nannies 6 weeks before they kid, but don't do the kids until 12 weeks old when they leave my holding.  I'll get all the kids done now which will hopefully prevent any more getting ill.

do your nannies kid in the same field/stable every year?