how much alfalfa pellets do i feed?

[bj taylor]

I've started introducing them to the pellets in anticipation of winter. they seem to like it too much. I'm afraid to put it out free choice. I don't know how to find the balance for feed. so far they have been pretty much foraging & I give the eight of them one scoop of feed when I lock them up at night. this is more to provide a goody that incentivizes them to go in the pen at night.

 

[elevan]

We gave ours free choice...they made pigs of themselves for a couple of days and then leveled it out.

If you're just looking to give them a treat when they come to the barn as an incentive to come in, I'd stick with a cup each to start and then decide if you want to up it from there.

 

[OneFineAcre]

We give all of ours grass hay free choice.

We give all of our does some mixed feed twice a day. We separate lactating does and any that may be under conditioned after they are dried off and give them a flake or so of alfalfa hay and maybe some extra grain or oats.

We give our bucks alfalfa pellets instead of the grain we give our does. We also give our bucks some mixed feed if they start to lose weight during the rut.

I don't believe you can pursue a one size fits all feeding program

 

[elevan]

I don't believe you can pursue a one size fits all feeding program

x2 Just look at the wide variety of feeding situations in the goat feeding discussion for proof of that!