Grain should be fed in the morning rather than in the evening. So are times of drought, heavy rain that makes pastures unavailable, and other severe climatic conditions. Winter is definitely a time of need for grain. Mature goats probably need the least amount of grain if they are on sufficient land to have adequate forage/browse/pasture. Old goats need grain and supplements such as beet pulp to add fiber to their diets as their teeth wear out, making chewing difficult. Fast-growing kids and juveniles will perform much better when consuming these two products rather than the combination block. Buy a molasses-based protein block or tub that has no minerals and no urea (non-protein nitrogen) offer it free choice alongside free choice loose minerals. You should want your goats to consume all they need of the protein supplement. Minerals are used as consumption limiters in protein blocks and tubs. Additional salt and minerals will limit protein consumption - and that should not be your goal.ĭo not use combination protein and mineral blocks. Do not offer salt blocks in addition to the loose minerals. If fescue grass is present in your area, buy a fescue balancer loose mineral. ![]() Buy hay from a person who raises it for a living rather than solely to keep the agricultural tax exemption on his land.īuy loose minerals made for goats. Test your hay for proper nutritional levels through testing laboratories such as Dairy One Forage Lab in New York. That person will think that you will buy his junk hay, because he thinks that goats eat anything, even tin cans. Never tell a hay seller that you are buying hay for goats. Horse-quality hay is what producers should feed their goats. Goats need the best quality hay available. ![]() In fact, grain provides essential nutrients needed by goats. From a goat health standpoint, there is nothing wrong with goats eating grain concentrates when fed in proper amounts. Many people tend to overfeed grain concentrates (sacked feeds), but some folks seriously underfeed. ![]() "Managed" therefore applies to all of our herds. "Managed" means any goat that is not free ranging and in total control of its entire food supply. That statement cannot be over-emphasized or over-stated. The most difficult thing about raising meat goats in any managed herd is proper nutrition. The third thing is keeping a herd of 30 goats hooves trimmed but that is even going to get better with time but that is another post.PROPER NUTRITION: THE MOST DIFFICULT PART OF RAISING MEAT GOATS If one backs up and pees or lets the nanny berries drop, that hay is done for. Everyday all I could see was money laying all over the ground. ![]() We use about 2 bales a day and have paid $5.00 to $7.00 a bale depending on the market. I have tried everything for feeding hay but as you goat owners know they waste more than they eat. They don't mean to hurt you.they just think they are starving at all times and a bucket holds the answer to all of their food prayers. They always act like they are one grain from starvation and almost all of my goats have horns so I constantly stayed bruised or scraped. One, if you go into a pen with a feed bucket, you are mauled no matter how much they have ate. In the five plus years I have owned goats there were two, OK maybe three things I totally didn't like. Almost 0, yes that is a zero waste of hay. It is the most wonderful, awesome, beautiful hay and grain feeder in the world. I have found a plan and have built four of these feeders for our goats.
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