When a Goat Gets Sick: Louie’s Story and What We Do to Help

Recently, Louie—our buck—got sick.

While cleaning and refilling water buckets, I noticed right away he wasn’t acting like himself. Louie is usually pushy and nosey, always nudging and getting into whatever you’re doing. But this time, he just stood there. He wanted to be petted, but something was clearly off.

The telltale signs were there—his head hung low, his tail was down, and his coat looked rough. You could just tell he didn’t feel right.

Of course, it happened over Memorial Day weekend. It always seems like goats pick the worst timing, right when the vet is closed or out of town.

Watching for the Signs

Even though Louie wasn’t acting normal, he was still eating—just not as much as usual. With all the rain we’ve been getting here in Ohio, it’s been a rough stretch for animals adjusting to wet conditions.

Louie has always been a little more sensitive than the others. When we first got him, he had trouble adjusting to our farm. I think he came from a more sterile environment and hadn’t been exposed to much, so it took him time to build up to real farm life.

Because of that, we try to be especially aware when something seems off.

What We Do When a Goat Seems Off

While we waited on the vet, we gave Louie access to fresh baking soda and started him on our herbal immune tonic.

This is something we used to do years ago with our full-size Nubians, and recently we’ve started it again with our Mini Nubians. It’s become part of our routine—weekly for the herd, and more often when one of them isn’t feeling their best.

Our Weekly Herbal Immune Tonic

This tonic is something we keep on hand and use regularly to support overall health.

Dosing:
1–2 teaspoons per adult goat once per week

When needed:
1–2 teaspoons per goat for 3 days in a row

Formula (makes about 1½ cups):
¾ cup garlic
¾ cup thyme
⅓ cup ginger
⅓ cup slippery elm
¼ cup cinnamon
¼ cup comfrey (use lightly)
Optional: ¼ cup ground pumpkin seed

Preparation (top-dress method):
Mix all dry herbs and store in a jar. At feeding time, sprinkle over grain and add a small splash of water or molasses to help it stick.

Preparation (ball method):
Mix herbs with oats, molasses, and a little water. Roll into small balls and freeze.

Alternative method:
Mix the herbal powder with a small amount of molasses and very little water to form a paste. You can roll it into a ball like a no-bake cookie or tuck it inside something like a date if a goat is off feed.

Use it when you notice:
Diarrhea from stress or gut upset
Weight loss
After deworming
After kidding
Weather stress (rain, mud, sudden temperature changes)
Adjusting to a new environment

Just to note, this is something we use on our own farm based on experience. We’re not veterinarians, and this isn’t meant to replace proper veterinary care—just an additional support we’ve found helpful over the years.

Getting Answers and Moving Forward

Once the vet was able to come out, we found out Louie had a slight fever along with a respiratory and sinus infection. He was given medication, and we continued supporting him with baking soda, selenium with vitamin E paste, and the herbal tonic.

By the next day, he was back to himself—pushy, nosey, and full of personality again. Exactly what we wanted to see.

Moments like this are a reminder of how important it is to know your animals well. You notice quickly when something isn’t right, and that makes all the difference.

It’s also part of the rhythm of farm life—caring, watching, learning, and doing what you can in the moment. That same care and intention carries into everything we do here at ChickenMash Farm, whether it’s raising animals, creating something by hand, or sharing pieces that bring a little bit of that life into your home.