[goaty]

Two weeks ago we bought a six month old Boer X buck to run with our three Boer X ladies, the problem is his poo! (sorry but this whole posting is about poo!)

We have never had any problems with our girls (had them for just over a year) only the old clumping of the pellets, which quickly returns to normal.

However our little boy does what i think resembles dog poo, we first put it down to the journey (only half hour!), being seperated from his brothers, and being introduced to some ladies. However two weeks on and there doesnt seem to be much of an improvement. (except it now dark colour and not green, but still very soft)

We have feed him on the same pellets that he was given at this last home (we feed him seperately to girls to make sure he gets his share), he has access to hay and grass. He seems happy enough and lets us stroke him, obviously he weary of the girls as they bigger than him (18 mths old) and they very much in charge.

Any suggestions? I expected this poo problem to last a few days not a few weeks!

[wytsend]

On my humble opinion he is FAR too young to be runny with females permanently... they could kill him if minded with head butting... their weight is considerably more.
It could also put him off doing his job because he is scared of them.... I have known this happen !

First separate him out... own pen completely.. feed good hay for about 24-36hrs only.  His drippings should return to normal.  Has he been wormed since arriving,  has he been treated for coccidiosis... very high rise of this disease this year.

All young males under one year old should be penned with a castrated male for company.... never with animals so much older and heavier.

[goaty]

He is with the girls by day (access to grass field and their shed) but at night he is in a seperate pen to them with access to hay etc. But I take your point about keeping him completely seperate.

I will try keeping him in his night time pen for a couple of days so see if its a case of not getting enough access to hay. The previous owner told me he had been vaccinated with Lambiva, last wormed in May, and retested for worms (with a clear result) in September.

If after seperated and given plenty of hay for a couple of days he still has soft poo what would you suggest?

I have to say, listening to your advise I am a little upset with the so called expert that sold us the buck who said he would be fine running with the girls - Thanx for info

[wytsend]

I suggest giving me a call perhaps this evening pre 8.30pm (Horse of the Year Show on TV tonite!!)   to discuss.... I keep males of all ages up to 8 at a time so could be said to have had some experience over the last 35 years.!!!!!

This is something that is better talked about rather than messages/emails.

My number 01647 231456