help with raising body condition (pics added 1.21 7/25/2011)

[SDGsoap&dairy]

Thanks for the info.

I am looking for some alfalfa, but no one around here grows it.

I can get alfalfa cubes at tractor supply, but it is very very expensive.

They do have a bag of alfalfa pellets, but would not give me the label info over the phone.

I can get Orchard grass hay without much problem, so I am going to do a little research on it.

AND next time I get a "just a pet" goat, its gonna be a doe. lol. unless its a boy thats really really cute with spots. or a really ugly one that licks my chin.......I'm such a wuss.

Not sure where you are, but all the alfalfa here in the South is trucked in. It doesn't grow here. Sometimes it's actually more cost effective to get pellets ($10/50 lb bag) than hay ($10-$13 per standard square bale.) Particularly when you factor in waste.

 

[redtailgal]

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[SDGsoap&dairy]

How much you give depends on what your goats need. But, I always feed *at least* 3 parts alfalfa to 1 part grain. So slowly work up to 3x whatever amount of grain you're feeding now then go from there. Meat or dairy, you always want to maintain your cah ratios.

 

[redtailgal]

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[SDGsoap&dairy]

Yes, that's right. I think it's safe to feed as low as 2:1 calcium/phosphorous, but we average higher than that. The ratio is important because too much phosphorous interferes with calcium absorption. For bucks and wethers this means UC, for lactating does hypocalcemia. Like Goatmasta mentioned- the AC in feed is intended to help prevent UC. It's still important to maintain ratios though.

 

[redtailgal]

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