amount of hay and feed! NEW TO GOATS!

[RockyPhoenix]

I am getting either 2 or 4 Toggenburg dry does!

How much hay should I feed/day/goat?

I don't plan on breeding them so how much grain do they need if they arent on exceptional pasture?

Also should I free-choice hay? Free-choice loose or block mineral?

Should I leave baking soda out free-choice?

Feeding seems to be the most difficult part of keeping goats to me.....I have access to plenty of grass hay for free!

 

[ksalvagno]

If these are just going to be pets, you may not even have to feed them grain. If they are underweight, then you would want to. I would just go with the directions on the feed bag. Hay can be fed free choice. You want a good loose goat mineral. Baking soda really doesn't have to be put out. Congratulations on your new goats.

 

[RockyPhoenix]

they will be pets but I am also showing them for 4H does that change anything???

 

[ksalvagno]

No, not really. You don't want them to be over conditioned (fat) for 4H either.

 

[Ariel301]

My LaMancha does (breeding and in milk) get free choice hay, I don't think anyone eats more than about 5 pounds per day. I grain them while they are working, but if your does can maintain a good condition without grain, then there is no reason to feed it to them, unless you just give them a handful for a treat.

 

[RockyPhoenix]

thanks!!