Does 1 Cup Literally Mean 1 Cup Of Feed?

[pridegoethb4thefall]

Sorry, I know this may sound like a dumb question. I am new to goats in a way, Ive had them before and have one now, but I never really went into depth learning about feeding practices and such.

Now I want to learn as much as I can about healthy feeding pratices.

I have figured out that everyone has their own way of feeding and everyone knows what works for them.

But I often see posts about feeding goat chow, or pellet feed that says 'I feed 1 *cup* of ~whatever~ to my goat". Im wondering if they mean a literal 1 cup, like a measuring cup, or just 1 *cup* of whatever they use to scoop out the feed with.

If I am feeding a pygmy doe, or other small sized goat, should I use a measuring cup to get the ration right?

My doe, like all goats I guess, LOVES her goat chow. I can give her 2 measuring cups full and she will hork it down and BEEEEEEEEGGGG for more, even after she cant see me! She has plenty of good quality hay and fresh water.

Am I not giving her enough, or am I supposed to give it to her more than once, or am I using the wrong tool to measure how much I am giving her?

 

[Roll farms]

I mean "1 cup" when I say one cup...as in measuring cup / 8 oz. dry.

As to how much is enough, it really depends on YOUR goat....age, size, condition, dry, lactating, etc.

Some of my milkers eat 6-8 cups on the stand 2x a day and still look thin....so I give them extra alfalfa.
Some of my fatties get no grain and are still fat.

Just like humans, they have different metabolic rates and nutritional requirements based on what stage of life they're in.

I've found 1 cup 2x a day for minis and 2 cups 2x a day for standards to be a good starting point, but not a rule by any means. You can start there and adjust up or down as needed.

 

[20kidsonhill]

I literally mean "1 cup" I do see 1 scoop a quite a bit, which is pretty much a useless discription of feeding, when there are differences in scoops.

3 cups of most pelleted feeds that I have measured weighs right at 1lb.

 

[20kidsonhill]

IF your pygmy doe is not nursing/milking and is in good health, 2 measuring cups a day of GOAT grain should be enough. If she is still growing and looks a little thin, then add another cup or feed twice a day for a while until she looks like she has put on a little more finish.

May I ask? "Is she by herself? The only goat you have? she could be lonely.

 

[DonnaBelle]

I would think that a dwarf goat would require much less grain than a 120 lb. Nubian doe.

And a lot of managing their weight comes with being able to look at them and see if they "look" too thin or too fat.

And this winter, my goats are getting lots of exercise and going out into the far pasture to feed. DH planted some wheat and rye grass last fall and it has sprouted and they are out there every day. They can drink out of the big pond so they have water, sometimes the don't get back to the barn till just before dark.

We feed ours 2 cups in the am, 2 cups in the pm. Thats 16 oz. twice a day. I have some old plastic Tervis Tumblers with handles that lost their seal and they are perfect and measure exactly 16 oz....

Of course, they have hay and if they'll dig around in the woods, some brouse. There is a man that cuts wood on our property, and when they hear the chain saw they come running....

DonnaBelle

 

[Roll farms]

Pygmies do tend to be pudgy, esp. when not raising kids. 1c a day may be enough, but start w/ 1c morn and evening and see how it goes.

 

[ksalvagno]

My "scoop" for feed is a one cup measuring cup. So when I say "cup" I literally mean a measuring cup.

 

[Chris]

Also keep in mind that measurements like cups, scoops, and spoons are not a good way to measure feed/grain.
The best way is to weigh the product.
One cup of your feed may/will weigh different than one cup of another persons feed.

Lets say you feed a 1/2 cup twice a day and I feed a 1/2 cup twice a day, now lets say a 1/2 cup of your feed weighs 4 oz. and a 1/2 cup of my feed weighs of my feed weighs 5 oz.
In one day you would be feeding 2 oz less than I am, that's 45.625 lbs less I would be a year or 7% protein less than I am if both feeds are 16% protein.

If your feed is 3 oz. per 1/2 cup and mine is 5 oz per 1/2 cup then you would be feeding 91.2499 lb less feed than I would be a year or 14% less protein less than I am if both feeds are 16% protein.

Chris

 

[autumnprairie]

Also keep in mind that measurements like cups, scoops, and spoons are not a good way to measure feed/grain.
The best way to weigh the product. One cup of your feed may/will weigh different than one cup of another persons feed.

Chris

Good point

 

[Chris]

Also keep in mind that measurements like cups, scoops, and spoons are not a good way to measure feed/grain.
The best way to weigh the product. One cup of your feed may/will weigh different than one cup of another persons feed.

Chris

Good point

Thank You.


Chris