Cheaper way to feed?

[AlaskanShepherdess]

I used the following link for my basic recipe for what I feed them. The grain mix that I am making uses BOSS, oats and barley and costs me .10 a day per doe. The top dressings that balance out the nutritional requirements cost more, I'll have to see if I can dig up the paper I did all my calculations on but it costs me about $330 per doe a year to feed them organic food and herbs.

http://landofhavilahfarm.com/loh-feed-regimen.htm

 

[CluckyJay]

Ten CENTS a day, per doe? Really?? That is SO cheap!

 

[larryj57]

I see a lot of folks saying they feed as many vegtables as they can get their hands on, i have loads right now the only problem is the goats so far won't eat, cucumbers, squash, cabbage,beets turnips or anything else I have offered them. I have 12 Boer goats 1 buck and 11 does all together in a 7 acre pasture with a lot of browse and pasture. they run me over when I have a bucket of sweet feed, whole corn but the veggies they won't touch, what gives.

 

[aggieterpkatie]

I see a lot of folks saying they feed as many vegtables as they can get their hands on, i have loads right now the only problem is the goats so far won't eat, cucumbers, squash, cabbage,beets turnips or anything else I have offered them. I have 12 Boer goats 1 buck and 11 does all together in a 7 acre pasture with a lot of browse and pasture. they run me over when I have a bucket of sweet feed, whole corn but the veggies they won't touch, what gives.

How are you offering them? Are you cutting them up? If not, try cutting them into smaller pieces and offering that way. I'd keep offering until they try it. My animals love veggies, but the sheep didn't at first. It took them a few tries to get used to them.

 

[SuburbanFarmChic]

I feed LOTS of veggies. As many as I can get my hands on. Has anybody tried dehydrating them for winter? Not sure there would be any savings if you were using an electric dehydrator but I haven't done any of the math. We usually just cold cellar a bin of pumpkins and as many beets/apples as we can. (we have an abandoned orchard about 20 min from the house)

 

[damummis]

I too would like to know more about the sprouts, Free.

 

[Livinwright Farm]

How about this cheaper way to feed:

Hay & water... maybe a round bale of straw for them to nibble on, since they are curious and like to nibble. They don't need anything else.


**the above was actually said to me by a veterinarian this evening... this vet obviously doesn't really know about goats' dietary needs.

 

[Mossy Stone Farm]

I know a breeder/dairy in my area who only feeds Hay and water, loose minerals and her her goats looks awesome and milk very WELL. Milkers get grain 2 x aday on stand.

They have pasture 24/7 i should say she feeds top quaility hay. I have bought 2 animals from her and have been very happy with them.

So yes Hay and water does work....

 

[freemotion]

Sorry I didn't see the request for more info back in Feb! I think I was actually in the ER that day after an injury....yikes. I hurt just thinking about it!

Here is an old thread with a discussion on this, see p 5 for how I do it....I don't hang the buckets anymore, I set boards over my sump hole and set the draining bucket on them. Right now I am sprouting organic wheat berries since I just got 55 45# pails....for free!!!! YIPPPEEEEEEE!!!!!

http://www.backyardherds.com/forum/viewtopic.php?pid=24110#p24110

As for veggies, store them in the cellar, then sort them every couple of days, using first any with spots starting. This takes time but will drastically extend the time that you have stuff to feed. Those mini pumpkins keep the longest.

If I had to feed a bunch of goats veggies, I'd invest in something electric to chop them with. I use my food processor now and do a couple days' worth and keep the pail in the second fridge in the cellar.

 

[AlaskanShepherdess]

I use my own grain mix, there is a lot of great info from those who make their own grain mixes (check out useful links on my website) and it's SO much cheaper for me! There is a great grain mix I can buy for $20 a 50lb bag here, or I can make my own mix for a grand total of $40 for 150lb. It doesn't have as much stuff in it as the grain mix, but I think they are getting the nutrition they need. Only time will tell, but they are healthy except for my current copper/worm issues and happy.