Pygmy ?s

[mully]

Llamas and goats get along fine. If you can introduce them slowly that is even better. I never give the goats free choice of baking powder as the will inevitably eat too much so i put some out every few days. The only thing I have free choice on is hay

 

[cmjust0]

Llamas and goats get along fine. If you can introduce them slowly that is even better. I never give the goats free choice of baking powder as the will inevitably eat too much so i put some out every few days. The only thing I have free choice on is hay

...and good loose mineral, I hope.

 

[mylilchix]

Should I use just regular old Arm and Hammer baking soda, or is there a special kind I should buy? I'm planning on keeping the goats in a smaller pen next to the llamas until they get used to eachother. The llamas have been hanging out on that side of the pasture because it's closest to their shelter.

Thanks, Sonja

 

[ksalvagno]

Just the Arm & Hammer baking soda.

 

[Wild Wind Farm]

I got this information about baking soda on Caprine Health, I had not heard anything negitive about baking soda before, I will look into it, thanks cmjust0

Baking Soda

A goat's rumen contains micro-organisms that thrive within a narrow acidity range. Feeds that ferment rapidly in the rumen increase its acidity. When acidity gets too high too fast, the micro-organisms multiply faster than usual, the rumen's balance becomes upset, and the goat gets sick. A goat's health therefore depends upon proper acidity. An alkaline substance such as sodium bicarbonate, or common baking soda, keeps acidity in check. A goat eats soda to keep the acidity within the proper range. Goats know when they need soda, and how much they need. All you have to do is make sure that they can get it when they need it.

A goat will eat an average of 3 tablespoons of soda per day, however they may need more during hot or humid weather. Higher temperatures cause the rumen to be more active, thus increasing acidity. At other times of the year they may eat little or no soda.

 

[cmjust0]

You hear the same "goats take what they need, when they need it" thing about mineral, but that's not really been my experience. My experience with mineral has been that goats take the majority of their mineral at the time it's refreshed. I've witnessed goats turn their noses up at mineral that's only a few days old, then go bananas for it just as soon as you dump the old and put out some new..

I could be totally wrong, but I kinda figure the same would be true of baking soda...especially given its peculiar tendency to wick odors and moisture from the air. Wouldn't think it would be too pleasant after a few days in the open air of a goat barn.

But, again...I'm speculating. All I know for sure is that we've never set out baking soda, yet we've never had a case of bloat or acidosis under normal circumstances.

I did have a bucking that was haning his head low and kicking at his belly once after being drenched with something called ACID PACK 4-WAY 2X on account of urinary calculi, and baking soda seemed to make him feel better....but he could also have been passing a stone. Probably never know. I know he didn't get the poops, though, which is pretty common with acidosis.

 

[ksalvagno]

It is easier to put out small amounts of mineral and baking soda so that it is basically "fresh" on a regular basis. I took the time to figure out what they would possibly eat in a day and only put out that much. The baking soda I do leave out for a few days but if they need it, they seem to eat it. I don't go through very much baking soda. I only put out about a tablespoon full.

Some people leave it out, some don't. I think you have to decide on your own. I made the decision that if they can take care of a bloat problem on their own with baking soda being out, then I'm all for that. One less problem that I have to deal with. So far my goats don't go crazy on baking soda. At worst I'm wasting more than they are eating. I can afford that better than a vet bill.

You can always try both ways and see what happens. Then make your own decisions. I don't see baking soda out or not out as a big issue personally.

 

[mylilchix]

Thank you for all of the advice. Our girls come tomorrow!! I'll post pics when I get a chance.

Sonja