Feeding wethers Need clarification please.

[Braxis]

I have two does and two wethers. They are grazing and receiving a small amount of feed in the morning and evening when I milk our milking doe.
So here is my questions and understanding.
I was under the impression that feeding sweet feed (Purina goat chow) was better for wethers then alfalfa. I have been reading that it is the other way around and I should also be adding ammonium chloride to their minerals. Can I use timothy hay or orchard? And is the pelleted form ok for any of the above mentioned?

 

[20kidsonhill]

If you are feeding wethers grain, I would make sure it contains ammonia chloride on the ingredients label. If you have a smaller breed wether, I would be especially careful with grains, they seem to be more acceptable to UC than larger breeds.

I don't know what the right answer is as far as alfalfa hay vs. Grass hay for wethers.

Lot's of fesh water out all the time is very very important.
encourage water drinking by providing loose got minerals.
Make sure the loose goat minerals you are providing have a 2 to 1 ratio of calcium to phosphorus, another words twice as much calcium as phosphorus.
Do not feed your wether corn or whole grains, such as sunflower seeds, without knowing how to balance a ration. These grains are very very high in phosphorus.
A pelleted goat feed that is designed for meat goats, is often well balanced and designed for wethers and contains ammonia chloride.
Keep extra ammonia chloride on hand.

 

[Braxis]

I for got to mention what they where. One doe is an angora (4 month),pygmy wether(2 month), Nigerian dwarf milking doe(1 1/2) Nigerian dwarf wether (3 years)

 

[lilhill]

Wethers really don't need grain at all since they aren't "working". But, if you are feeding them Goat Chow, then you need to feed them alfalfa hay or pellets to balance the Calhos ratio to prevent UC.