Baking Soda

[lilhill]

I personally don't recommend leaving baking soda out full time. It's good to help with bloat or stomach distress over new foods. But when left out full time goats will often eat it to get their salt fix and not their minerals...that will lead you quick to mineral deficiencies. In addition baking soda is used to balance rumen ph and having them eating it all the time instead of their minerals can throw that off as well.

But do keep baking soda on hand as it is great for treating FKS.

 

[Roll farms]

In the spring, right about when the new grass comes on, I switch out my old baking soda for new in the fridge and take the old to the barn. I mix those 2 boxes into 600# of feed, just in case anybody goes out and eats too much green stuff / gets a belly ache. I also top dress w/ extra probiotic powder during that time.

The rest of the year, I don't give them baking soda....and to be honest, if I didn't have those two 'old' boxes, I dunno if I'd give it to them then. Just can't bear to toss them.

Can't recall ever having anyone scour on all the new green grass / dietary change, though. Dunno if it's the baking soda, the probiotics, or just plain good luck.

Definitely agree w/ not leaving it out full time, though.