No moldy feed or hay. No sudden changes in types of feed. Lots of free-choice quality roughage, particularly in the latter stages of pregnancy. The manner in which many of you are taught to raise your animals often results in Goat Polio, Urinary Calculi, or a host of other metabolic diseases. Particularly in 4H and FFA shows, many of you are beginners and rely upon the information and training being provided by ag teachers, county agents, and judges.
Goats are ruminants, and ruminants are pot-bellied animals.
A large rumen is an excellent digestive factory which is necessary to the goat's overall health and growth. There would be fewer goats die from mismanagement if goat show participants would concentrate on displaying the animals' best features rather than trying to make them into something that they are not. For those producers who are hooked up to the Internet, consider joining one of the goat discussion groups, wherein you will find immediate help with your problems. This writer hosts such a group entitled ChevonTalk. We would appreciate notification from any clubs or publications when the articles are used.