Goats & chickens
I have heard that Goats and Chickens should be kept separated. I cannot do that as I have free-ranging chickens. The only thing that I can think of is COCCIDIOSIS. Does anyone have any other thoughts?
The other concern is that your goats will have to be treated for lice quite frequently because of poultry always having lice. Ivermectin injectable given orally to your goats, as well as ivermec paste both work well in killing internal as well as external (lice) parasites.
We also raise free range chickens with the goats. I want to point out here what works for one may or may not always work for someone else. We have not experienced any problems with the goats from allowing the chickens to frun free. We also worm with ivomectrin as well. Pesrsonally we feel that there are benefits to allowing the chickens to free range with the goats.
Re: Goats & chickens
We also have goats and free ranging chickens. The chickens often lay their eggs in the goat barn! We have not had any problems with poultry lice on the goats.
It is also my understanding that cocci is species specific, therefore, poultry coccidia would not infect goats.
One more thing about using ivermectin on goats. If you use the milk from your goats, were you aware that after 72 days, there is still ivermectin present in the milk. Ivermectin is not labeled for dairy use. If you have a chance to read The Dairy Goat Journal Feb. 2000 page 11, you can hear the same info and more from a vet.
Re: Goats & chickens
I have always kept my goats and chickens together. I have free range chickens and they go any where they like, espeically the bantys. I have never had problems with lice or mites from chickens infecting the goats. The lice and mites that chickens and goats get are species specific and therefore will not infect each other. I also treat any newly acquired birds for parasites before they enter the flock to avoid the situation altogether. There are problems with goats and chickens sharing the barn together. The worst of these is squashed chickens. It is very sad to find a young chick killed by being stepped on by a rambunctious goat who is never paying attention to where he is going. A less sad problem, but a problem none the less is when the chickens (espeically bantams) decide to roost in the rafters. You will wake up with chicken poop encrusted goats. Not pleasant. They also have an unsanitary way of messing where ever they feel like it; when they get in the feed hay, the feed bowl, water pail etc...Goats are extremly fussy about what they will eat, despite the old wives tales. Goats will usually never eat anything that has been spoiled. This helps avoid the problem of coccidiosis. However, as with any sign of abnormality in your animal, have him checked immediately to avoid progession of this or any illness.
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