Signs of vitamin A deficiency include poor appetite, weight loss, unthrifty appearance with a poor hair coat, night blindness and a thick nasal discharge. Vitamin A deficiency also makes the animal more susceptible to respiratory, diarrhea and parasitic problems. It may also lead to reproductive inefficiency and urinary problems.
Control: Control includes 2,000 kg International Units per day for a …
Goats that lack sodium may lick dirt and show reduced growth and feed intake as well as reduced milk production. Sodium chloride can be provided free choice or mixed with the feed at 0.5-percent of the complete ration of dry matter. Either blocks or loose salt can be used. Salt is important for maintaining adequate water intake for hot summer days …
Phosphorus is required for both soft tissue and bone growth. Clinical signs of a deficiency include slowed growth for abnormal substance and unthrifty appearance. The calcium/phosphorus ratio should not be less than 1.2:1 for does and 2:1 for males. Grazing goats rarely develop a phosphorus deficiency due to their browsing phosphorus rich plants. Appropriate attention to calcium/phosphorus ratio is important to …
By Jeff Fisher, Ohio State University Extension, Pike County
Administer all products labeled for IM (intramuscular) use in the neck region only, in front of the shoulder. Products labeled for SQ (or SC, subcutaneous) use must be given under the skin, preferably on the side of the neck in front of the shoulder. If there is concern that an injection reaction will cause a lump that may be confused with a contagious …
Using goats for custom brush control is at times referred to as a “rent-a-goat” operation. Many landowners that need goats for vegetation management may not want to get into the goat business due to a lack of expertise, capital, time, or other resources. This provides potential for goat producers to capitalize on free grazing and/or get paid for grazing. Landowners needing these services include the federal government, such as the Forest Service or Army Corps …
Vitamin D is important in bone formation. It stimulates both calcium and phosphorous release.
Clinical Signs of vitamin D deficiency include bowed legs, enlarged joints, stiffness and poor growth rate. Adults may develop unstable bone structure, leading to osteoporosis.
Control: Colostrum is an excellent source of vitamin D. Pasture or sun-cured hay are also good sources. Exposure to sunlight is the …
If you want to use goats for brush control, how do you get into the business? The first step is to visit other producers, especially those that are using goats for weed and brush control to see if goats will control your type of vegetation. Find out information about their goat management practices. Work to learn all you can about goats from extension personnel, other producers, and the internet. A good source of information is …
Vitamin E deficiency causes nutritional muscular dystrophy,or white muscle disease. This usually occurs when feeding silage or old hay. Signs include weak kids, respiratory problems, reproductive inefficiency and off-flavor in milk. As a fat soluble vitamin accumulation in the body may occur, prior to supplementation a deficiency should be documented to avoid toxicity. Additional information about Vitamin E can be found …
Parasite problems are generally considerably less when goats are used for vegetation management than when they are grazing conventional pastures. This is due to goats browsing and consuming feed that is above ground leve where most of the larva from parasites are locatedl. Many browse species also contain tannins, which aid in parasite control. However, if the goats are patch-grazing grass, they can develop serious parasite problems. If high stocking rates are used relative to available vegetation, goats will …
