I'm so confused...What to feed???

[jenlynn4]

OK my girls will be here next week and I am still confused on what all I am going to need for them. I have asked the people to tell me EXACTLY everything they are getting now, but I want to make sure there is nothing I am missing to have a happy healthy goat...I am getting 2 nigerian dwarf girls who are 1.5 and 3 years old...mother and daughter. Someone please tell me (in your opinion) what all I will need. And yes even though I am new I can tell different people have different ideas as far as feeding but I just want to know what all my options are. Thank you in advance. JEN

 

[ragdollcatlady]

I love the sweetlix loose minerals, I use magnum milk for my girls.

I feed alfalfa hay, and my grain mix is alfalfa pellets, BOSS, calf manna, and oats....when I can find it I will add barley.

Thats what I feed. Hope it's what you were looking for.

 

[Southern by choice]

I would ask the breeder for a bale of hay and whatever feed they are on now, you can gradually change to whatever you plan on using. Sudden change in diet is not good for goats and add the stress of transitioning to a new home-not good. Better to talk with the breeder first and maybe you could pick up and have on hand a small amount of the same feed and offer to buy the hay bale.

 

[SkyWarrior]

I feed hay and a balanced sweet feed. I also provide free-choice minerals in both a block and loose. My guys get salt/trace minerals plus selenium.

 

[jenlynn4]

I bought my hay from the same person they get thiers from, So I am good on that. I am also getting the goat feed from the same feed mill they are useing. I will ask if they are useing loose minerals and what brand. So basiclly I just need the hay, the goat feed, and the loose minerals and I will be set I think. I just cant wait to get them. Thank you all for the excellent advice! JEN

 

[Southern by choice]

Very happy for you! You will love your nigerians! A little word of warning. They can get a bit stressed with the move and depending on the amount of human interaction they may be a bit stand-offish with you at first. I say this because you already LOVE these goats but you are still a stranger to them so they may need some time to warm up to you. Don't be disappointed or get discouraged if they don't come near you or act a bit skittish. If they show signs of this just give them some time and space and they will come around and be your lil' loves!

We will be waiting for pictures!!!

 

[Pearce Pastures]

Our doe feeding program:
LOTS of hay---they are never without it available.
Not milking---about 2 cups of Noble goat feed daily.
In milk---about 3 cups of Noble goat feed + 1 cup of alalfa pellets
Soft mineral block

Our bucks (still tweaking this):
LOTS of hay---never without it either
Soft mineral block
Before breeding times we give a cup or two of little Noble goat feed daily (starting it out slowly to let them adjust to it in their diet).
We also add powdered ammonium chloride to the drinking water once a week.

*And after the little goat polio incident this week with a doeling we sold someone, I am not feeding sweet feed (I haven't in years given it to my goats but have had that reinforced after seeing what can happen). I know it is fine in moderation, but still not going to use it again.