I have been fighting with hoof scald in some of my goats all winter. In November 2013 I used zinc sulphate foot baths with some success, but the problem has recurred. So for the last three weeks I have been using the baths again which is a struggle to convince the goats to do. After all of this effort I still have two limping goats. So today I moved them into the Lame Goat Ward to keep their feet drier and more easily administer zinc sulphate to their hooves. So here are Jack and Bambi in their new abode.
It seems to be the larger goats here that are prone to this. It does not seem to be breed specific and except that maybe the Angora goats seem more susceptible. My theory is that the large goats sink into the mud more, and their hooves stay moister. I feel bad for them though since they are in pain. This will work, but the question is for how long. So in addition to the Blind Sheep Ward, we now have the Lame Goat Ward. This means extra work feeding and watering them separately from the flocks. 
Feasts of Ice and Fire
Cooking from the Game of Thrones
You Can’t Eat Mount Rainier
Recipes from 1950's Seattle restaurants
You’re a compassionate shepherd/goatherd, Donna. Your animals are most fortunate to be yours.
Thanks Michelle! You are too kind. I am not sure all the critters would agree though.
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Critters are just like children; they don’t always appreciate all that we do for them! 😉
It looks like they have a good ward for each of the groups! Hopefully this will help the lame ones to recover. Are the sheep blind because of old age?? I have the ‘old folks stall’ that I keep two of the most fragile oldsters in at night.
Tammy
Thanks Tammy! It should help them recover keeping them dry. The blind sheep are quite old. They enjoy gumming down their moistened alfalfa pellets and grain in the mornings though! They get to be outside apart from the flock in the summer but in winter it is safer and warmer if they are in a pen.
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