Let's Look at our Different Feeding Practices *GOATS*

[Sweet Sue]

New to the goat world. This is what theprevious owners told me to feed and picked up the bags of feed and hay when they brought me the goats.
HMC 18% Dairy High Energy and HMMC15% Calf Starter/Creep. She told me to feed 3/4 cup of the pellets and 3/4 cup of the sweet feed per goat.goat. They are almost 6 months old. She also brought bale of peanut hay. They get all the fresh water they want and a overgrown pasture of weeds, trees, brush. They think they are in heaven.I slowed them back a 1/4 cup because they are getting fat. They don't seem to care to eat thehay. I guess because there is so much to eat in pasture. I live inPanama City Fl. That is the N. W. part of Fl. Oh, I need to add I feed twice per day. It is time to go get feed and I don't want to feed sweet feed. I would prefer to feed a good quality pellet. They haves salt block. It looks from here that I need to give loose minerals too. A response on what anyone thinks would be great. They have their own feed buckets. I don't think I am leaving anything out. Would liketo know if I could change to pellets only and change to a goat feed instead of cattle feed. They are nubian/boer mix.

 

[Pearce Pastures]

Since they are still growing, I would give them what you are in terms of pelleted feed (and NO sweet feed, like you said). After about a 1-1.5, you could nix the feed too if you like. Goats do grow for about 3 years but they do fine without feed.

They do not need a salt block.

Other than that, they need only good hay, water, and a mineral.

 

[Sweet Sue]

Since they are still growing, I would give them what you are in terms of pelleted feed (and NO sweet feed, like you said). After about a 1-1.5, you could nix the feed too if you like. Goats do grow for about 3 years but they do fine without feed.

They do not need a salt block.

Other than that, they need only good hay, water, and a mineral.

Thank you Pearce Pastures!! So I will get rid of the block and get loose minerals for goats. So I should stay on dairy pellets. I don't have to get goat feed? In your opinion, you think it would hurt to get another kind of hay? They have so much green stuff out here they aren't't eating the hay.

 

[OneFineAcre]

The peanut hay you get in FL is "perennial peanut". It's not really peanuts at all, it is grown just as a forage. Around here we get peanut hay that is actually the byproduct of producing peanuts.

The perennial peanut hay is really good stuff, it's the alfalfa of the south. If they aren't eating that, not likely you will find something better. Your right, if they have plenty of fresh green forage that's probably why they aren't eating the hay.

 

[OneFineAcre]

Here is some information:

http://www.ars.usda.gov/is/AR/archive/mar08/peanut0308.htm

http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/an234

 

[Sweet Sue]

Thank you for the correction One Fine Acre Farm. That is correct, it is perennial peanut hay. Yes there is lots of green stuff here. The area I have them in now is probably 1.5 acres. I have another area of green stuff about the same size. There are only 2 of them and they love it. Do you think I need to continue giving the hay? I sure don't mind, I want to do what is good for them. Sweet Sue.

 

[OneFineAcre]

I would. I wouldn't give to much and waste it if they aren't eating it, but I'd offer some.

 

[Sweet Sue]

Forgot to ask last night, how much loose minerals would you recommend feeding 6 month old nubian/boer mixed. Does it go in a separate feed container or mixed with one or both feedings? Also why would you give your goat baking soda?

 

[OneFineAcre]

Give loose minerals separate and give free choice
They will only eat what they need
Only give baking soda if they are "gassy" it helps soothe their stomach

 

[Sweet Sue]

Thanks One Fine Acre, makes sense to me.