First Time Goat Owner + Pregnant Doe. What to Feed?

[babsbag]

I don't know what kind of horse treats you might be able to find but mine love molasses or apple horse treats... Goat candy.

 

[Goat Whisperer]

Oh @thailand I am a HUGE worry wart when it comes to my critters! I have been told that I can turn anything into a stressful situation I am so sorry about your daughter's arm, OUCH!

You don't need to give the Nutri-drench just because you are moving her. We have moved many many goats (& 2 sheep) and have never had to give them drench. When you get her home just let her chill out in her pen. Try not to spend to much time with her at first if she is not used to be handled. That can do more harm then good.

Ask the seller about his feeding schedule. Does he free feed the hay? How much feed does she get daily? How many times daily?

Personally, feeding 3qts of feed to a dry doe seems excessive. I would not start her off with that much, that could be asking for trouble. This is why knowing the sellers routine is key. Be sure that you transition her onto new feed SLOWLY. Whenever I buy a goat I always buy the same type of feed the new goat is currently on. You don't to offset her rumen.

Make sure the minerals are for GOATS. The calcium/phosphorus should be 2 : 1
Don't get salt blocks. They should not be given to goats.
I use Manna Pro goat mineral. Now y'all probably don't have it over there but try to stick to something similar
Crude Protein Min 4.00%
(This includes not more than 4.0% equivalent crude protein from non-protein nitrogen)
Calcium Min 16.00%
Calcium Max 19.20%
Phosphorus Min 8.00%
Salt Min 12.00%
Salt Max 14.40%
Potassium Min 1.50%
Magnesium Min 1.50%
Copper Min 1350 PPM
Manganese Min 2750 PPM
Zinc Min 5500 PPM
Selenium Min 12 PPM
Vitamin A Min 300,000 IU/LB
Vitamin D3 Min 30,000 IU/LB
Vitamin E Min 400 IU/LB
Lactic Acid Bacteria Min 1.5 Million CFU/LB
https://www.mannapro.com/products/goat/goat-mineral

This is my kidding kit, you don't need to go out and buy ALL this stuff LOL. Over the years we have added in a few things here and there just to have on hand. I bolded the things that should be first to go into your kit
Ask the seller if he knows of any drenches that help perk a goat up, it will probably be something close to the Nurti drench.

My kidding kit includes:
Towels! Lots of em!
Paper towels
Trash bags
Floss (for the navel)
Iodine+ a cup
Scissors
Rubbing alcohol- I use this to clean the scissors before cutting the navel
Flashlight
Thermometer
Bulb Syringe
Bottle/nipples
Frozen colostrum
Disposable gloves
Shoulder length gloves
Lube
CMT mastitis kit along with TODAY mastitis treatment tubes
Weak kid syringe-I haven't had to use it and I hope I never will, but it is a great thing to have on hand.
Small dog sweaters for the baby goat kids- if it is cold outside

I also keep on hand-
Jumpstart Plus paste, I got it from TSC and I don't think 2 of my kids would be alive without it. It was a rough birth and they were very weak and this stuff helped a lot.

Nutri-Drench

Molasses- I give some in some warm water after the doe kids.

Penn G (antibiotic)

LA 200 (antibiotic)

NOTE: Do not give molasses or Nutri-Drench to an animal with a fever, it will only make it worse.

Hope this helps

 

[Goat Whisperer]

Also, I don't like feed with molasses in it. Over time it can bind the minerals that goats need. I also don't like them used to having it all the time, they should only get it when they really need it for energy (such as for kidding- I give some to the does in warm water to help them get their energy up)

 

[babsbag]

Just to clarify, the 3 qts of grain is for a doe in milk, not a dry doe. And don't dump that much in the feeder the first time, start off slow. But again, if the doe is producing milk and not getting skinny she may not need that much. I expect my does to give me about a gallon a day so they are pushed for production and they are eating machines but every goat is different.

 

[thailand]

Thanks for the very detailed responses. I have spoken to the seller about what he is currently feeding her and all his goats. I understand him to be feeding pangola hay, forage from his property and neighbouring forest and also he said he's feeding spent corn heads. Any spent corn heads not used he is fermenting them for the goats to eat.
I don't know that I can get ready access to corn heads so I may not be able to feed that portion. I don't think he's feeding any grain at all.

 

[babsbag]

Corn is really empty calories and not something they need at all; don't worry about it. Hay will be fine. Can you get beet pulp there? Another thing mine like that is really good for them is Kelp.

Is this goat used to being handled?

 

[thailand]

Yes, I believe she is used to being handled. She is family raised with the sellers children handling her and the other often...is my understanding. Ok, so forget the corn. I wouldn't know where to get beet pulp. We may have to grow some beets ourselves in the future. Kelp....I give my chickens a little kelp. It's just what I can find in the supermarket. It's a powdered or chopped into slivers type of kelp for Japanese cooking. Will this do? And, how much? Free feed?

 

[Ridgetop]

For de-stressing, I've always heard (and so far it's proven true) that ice cream or chocolate or even better, a combination of both works fairly well I suggest YOU start consuming it well before your goat arrives


I Love the recipe for stress relief!!!

 

[babsbag]

The kelp here is powdered and I give them about 1/2 c. sprinkled on the grain every few days but I am sure more wouldn't hurt them. It is expensive here so I hoard it.

The beet pulp we buy at the feed stores in 50lb bags, it comes shredded and also in pellets, they really like the stuff. It is a good source of energy and fiber. Another feed that is usually free and good is the spent grain from a brewery. Don't know if there are any of those around you or not.

 

[thailand]

Thanks Babsbag for the info about kelp. I am wanting to alternate a (very small) handful of dairy grain with a rice bran mash (again, just a VERY small amount until she kids).

I have been advised by the seller and others here in Thailand that I could give her rice bran soaked in whey. I do usually make my own buttermilk, so would the buttermilk be ok to substitute instead of whey? Or homemade yoghurt? It's just a little something as a bit of a treat...later after she has kidded I guess I could make this a regular thing.