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Recently Asked Questions
Pets and Projects has collected a number of commonly asked questions. If there is a question you haven't seen, let us know!
Feed
FEED: Is Alfalfa Hay good for my goat or lamb?
Yes! Alfalfa with a lot of leaf is a good source of protein and the fiber in feeding hay helps them process excess phosphorus to prevent urinary calculi. They also like grass hays. Some say they don’t want a hay belly at the show, and my answer to that is the benefits of hay and fiber in their diet to help them grow and blossom is greater than worrying about a hay belly that can be taken off by removing hay 2 weeks prior to the show. After the show is over, give your goat or lamb a small amount of hay to nibble. See article: Hay Needs for Goats & Sheep
FEED: What is ADG?
ADG is Average Daily Gain. This number is important in letting you know if you are feeding enough to make weight at your show. See the weight management articles in the Feed section for more tips.
FEED: I don’t have a scale, how can I weigh my goat, lamb or pig?
There are tape measures for goats, sheep, swine & horses. By following the measurement instructions, you can take two measures that will be fairly accurate. You might be a couple of pounds off, but you’ll be close enough to know if you need to adjust the feed amounts.
Having access to a scale is best, but the tape will keep you on track! See article:
Tape Measurement – Specialized
Swine Pig Measurements
Lamb Goat Measurements
There are tape measures for goats, sheep, swine & horses. By following the measurement instructions, you can take two measures that will be fairly accurate. You might be a couple of pounds off, but you’ll be close enough to know if you need to adjust the feed amounts.
Having access to a scale is best, but the tape will keep you on track! See article:
Tape Measurement – Specialized
Swine Pig Measurements
Lamb Goat Measurements
Grooming
Grooming: How do I shave my goat, lamb or pig?
Very carefully! Each animal has different types of hair or wool and each requires a little different technique.
See the grooming tab for your species and read:
Grooming: How often should you trim your goat or lamb’s hooves?
Every 3-6 weeks. This is best performed by your advisor or experienced livestock showman to ensure the toe is trimmed too short. It also involves sharp trimmers and hoof knives. The side profile of the hoof should look rectangular in shape. See the grooming tab for more information!
Health
Health: How do I protect my goat or lamb from bloat?
If you let your goat or lamb out to graze, always give them some hay to eat before they are turned out. This causes them to have a fuller stomach and they will not over eat the rich grass. Also, adding a teaspoon of baking soda to their grain will also settle any excess gasses.
Health: What is the meaning of Bloat?
Bloat is excess gas in the stomach/rumen of goats and sheep. It affects the digestive system. It can be caused by too much grain or alfalfa hay. Bloat should not be ignored & needs treatment. Call your advisor.
Why doesn’t my goat or lamb have top teeth?
Goats and sheep only have front teeth on the bottom. They are called milk teeth for the first year. The top teeth are replaced with a strong gum line. All of their chewing happens with their back molars.
Health: What plants are poisonous?
Short answer: Goats & Sheep, don’t let them nibble on your parent’s plants and Pigs should not be allowed to wander in the yard unattended because they will root and tear up the yard in a minute! There is a large list of plants that are poisonous to animals. It’s best to ask what plants are in your yard & look it up on the internet. The few minutes it takes to research the plants is worth the effort!
Medicated Feed Alert: Do not feed medicated feed to species not listed on the bag! If you have left over feed after the show, DO NOT let your other animals eat it!
Health: How many stomachs do Goats & Sheep have?
4 stomachs. The Rumen, Reticulum, Omasum, & Abomasum.
Ruminant Stomach Diagram
Health: What is the Cud? Why is my goat or lamb “chewing” something?
The cud is food that is brought back up for more chewing and digestive processing. All animals with 4 stomachs chew their cud. See
Daily Health Assessment Chart for more details.
Health: What is a normal temperature range for Goats and Sheep?
Goats: 101.5 – 103.5 degrees
Sheep: 100.9 – 103.8 degrees
Call for help if over 104.5
For more information, see:
Health: What are Scours?
Scours is diarrhea. Scours can be caused by feed changes or imbalances, worms or illness. Sheep can get scours quickly from eating copper mineral in a brown salt block or the wrong feed. Perform the Daily Health Assessment Chart for other symptoms and signs.
Health: What is mange & what does it look like?
Mange is a microscopic pest that causes severe itching and skin irritation. As a general comment, for any species with skin, mange causes hair loss, severe itch and the animal will appear to look old, crusty and bald. Their natural hair color is lost. Mange, also called “Scabies” is a category of persistent skin diseases caused by parasitic mites living and breeding on or under the skin causing immense discomfort for the animal. All types of mange are very uncomfortable for your animal and should be treated as soon as possible to avoid serious harm. Most are contagious to humans, so treatment is needed immediately.
Symptoms: Mange generally starts on the head behind the ears. The animal starts with shaking their head and rubbing on things. Quickly they will be itching to the point of bleeding. The itch and pain is great.
See article: Mange Management & Symptoms
Mange Infection
Mange Swine Ear
Health: What are Internal & External Parasites?
| INTERNAL: Worms, intestinal roundworms, stomach roundworms, liver flukes, lungworms & Coccidia. Internal worms can be controlled by worming medicine and good pen hygiene.
EXTERNAL: Ticks, fleas, lice, mange & ringworm. Ring Worm is a fungus. Both internal and external parasites must be treated immediately. They will not go away on their own. See Articles: |
Health: My pig is really itchy, but I don’t see anything.
Your pig may be suffering from dry skin or mange!
Dry Skin Symptoms: The pig will be itching all over. See article: Itchy Skin Lotion
Mange Symptoms: Mange is a tiny bug that burrows under the skin. This causes the pigs to itch to the point of bleeding if not treated! Mange generally starts on the head behind the ears. The animal starts with shaking their head and rubbing on things. Quickly they will be itching to the point of bleeding. The itch and pain is great. Most are contagious to humans, so treatment is needed immediately.
See article: Mange Management & Symptoms
Mange Infection
Mange Swine Ear
Showmanship
Showmanship: The Judge said that my goat or lamb was not in show condition. What does that mean?
At the show, all market animals should be market ready. They should not be too thin or too fat. For tips on feeding the correct amounts for the correct weight gain, Read: Feed – Basics of Goat & Sheep Weight Management
Showmanship: Is it ok to walk behind my goat or lamb in a show?
No! You never walk behind or over the top of your goat or lamb. Always pass in front of your animal in a smooth and quiet manner.
Showmanship: If I don’t hear or understand the judge’s question in a class, what do I do?
It is okay to politely ask the judge to repeat the question or ask for clarification. It’s always a good idea to watch other classes before your class to see how the judge runs the class and what questions he may be asking.
Judge is asking this showman a question.
Showmanship: My Goat’s back dips when I show him. How do I make his back more level?
If your goat’s back or top line dips, try bringing the back legs more under him. If the hind legs are too stretched out, the top line will dip.
See the Showmanship Article series “Training Goats for Show” Part 1, 2 & 3 for more details:
Goat Setup – Rear Leg Adjustment
Training Goats for Show – Part 1
Training Goats for Show – Part 2
Showmanship: What direction are goats and sheep led into the arena?
Clockwise or as the ring steward directs.
See articles under the Showmanship tab for more details: Showmanship Preparation & Strategies