The kid does not eat well: what to do, causes of the problem and prevention

Table Of Contents

Why doesn't the goat eat?
What to do when a problem occurs?
Prevention measures

Goats usually give birth to 1-3 kids. They can be kept under the uterus or bottle-fed. After the birth of babies, you need to drink immediately. Newborn babies are characterized by an imperfect immune system. Therefore, they often face various diseases. As a result, many farmers are interested in the question: the goat does not eat well, what should be done in such a situation?

Why doesn't the goat eat?

If a goat refuses milk, it is important to determine the causes of the problems. Most often they occur at the birth of weak animals. There are several reasons for this - the weakening of the he alth of the mother, the low temperature in the room in which the birth takes place, untimely drunk colostrum.

From birth to the first meal should be a maximum of 1 hour. The protective forces of the body of a newborn cub are imperfect. Therefore, it is not able to resist bacterial microorganisms and serious viruses. For the active production of antibodies, it is necessary to provide the kid with access to colostrum as soon as possible, which contains useful substances.

If the kid does not drink liquid, dangerous pathologies can be suspected. Common goat diseases include:

Antenatal malnutrition. This pathology appears in premature kids. At the same time, newborns have a low weight, which does not exceed 2 kilograms. Also, the baby can not stand on his feet and hold his head. It requires painstaking care, following the recommendations of the veterinarian.
Diarrhea. This is one of the most common violations, which appears for a number of reasons. The imperfection of the digestive system, the use of stale straw, and excess milk lead to it.Also, the kid may lose his appetite. In such a situation, it should be shown to the veterinarian. For the period of treatment, instead of milk, it is recommended to give the pet rice water.
Cysticercosis of the liver. This pathology is caused by the ingestion of tape parasites into the body. The first symptom of the disease is slow development. In this case, the animal stops growing and does not gain weight. For treatment, special drugs are used.

What to do when a problem occurs?

To nurse an animal, it should be given colostrum to drink on its own. After that, it is recommended to give warm milk to the kid. To do this, you should use a regular bottle with a nipple. To feed the cub, he needs to close his eyes and bring the bottle to his mouth. In the dark, he will actively suck milk. In this case, the animal is recommended to gently stroke the back and tail. Such movements are performed by the goat to push the babies to the udder.

If the kid does not drink milk well, he needs to drip liquid into his mouth in small portions. It is important to ensure that the cub does not choke.

The pet needs to be warmed up. To do this, it is permissible to use warm blankets or bottles of hot water. You can also make a nest using a crate, bottle, or water heater. To do this, wrap warm containers with towels and place the animal between them. When it warms up, the next feeding takes place.

In difficult situations, it is worth injecting vitamin E and selenium. The drug can be in 1 ampoule and be called "E-selenium". Bottle feed your baby for 4-6 weeks. After 2 months, he can be introduced to the diet of hay and grass.

When feeding goats, you should follow the following scheme:

1-3 days feed 30 grams 5-6 times - the daily dose is 180 grams;
4-8 days feed 3-4 times 75-80 grams - daily amount is 400 grams;
from 1 week feed 3-4 times 150-200 grams - daily dosage should increase to 600 grams;
from 2 weeks to 1 month the daily volume is 1 liter;
from 30 days the daily amount of milk should be reduced, gradually replacing it with oatmeal jelly.

Prevention measures

To keep he althy offspring and avoid feeding problems, you should follow a number of recommendations.

These include the following:

Feed the kids 3-5 times a day. They should eat at the same time. By following such a schedule, you will be able to accelerate weight gain.
Make hay in advance. It must be made from fresh herbs. The composition of the stems that were cut before flowering, there are many more useful elements than in autumn.
Before introducing root crops into the diet, they need to be crushed. Thanks to this, the goat will be able to chew vegetables (also fruits).
After feeding, it is recommended to wash and dry the dishes. All devices should be kept in a specially designated place.
To prevent the development of beriberi, it is recommended to introduce coniferous branches into the diet of kids. It is also acceptable to use fish oil.

Appetite disorders in kids are quite common and may indicate dangerous diseases. To cope with the problem, it is recommended to strictly follow the rules of feeding. If this does not help, it is worth contacting a veterinarian and conducting diagnostic tests.