New to Goats! Need Advice

[newchick101]

Hi all! I am new to raising goats, we have two 8 week old Alpine Does. I am feeding them Kent Dairy Goat Pellets, which are 18% protein. How much should I feed them? I have read a half cup a day is good, but the lady we purchased them from was feeding them as much as they would eat. I do not want to cause any health issues by overfeeding. They have plenty of browse and also hay in their pen that they get locked in at night. Also, any helpful advice about raising goats (especially for dairy) would be super helpful. Thanks again!!

 

[OneFineAcre]

I'd give them as much as they want.
Personally, I think 8 weeks is a little young for weaning.
How much do they weigh?

 

[newchick101]

I'd give them as much as they want.
Personally, I think 8 weeks is a little young for weaning.
How much do they weigh?

I am not 100% sure about weight, I don't have a good scale to weight them on. that is a purchase I am hoping to make soon. When do you usually wean?

 

[OneFineAcre]

I don't think I'm one to copy, we tend to leave ours way too long to avoid milking. I've got some Alpine/Togg crosses that are still nursing at 6 months.
People do wean standard goats at 8 weeks, but I think 10-12 is better.
Since it's done, I would give them free choice feed.
Alpines can be on the skinny side.

 

[newchick101]

I don't think I'm one to copy, we tend to leave ours way too long to avoid milking. I've got some Alpine/Togg crosses that are still nursing at 6 months.
People do wean standard goats at 8 weeks, but I think 10-12 is better.
Since it's done, I would give them free choice feed.
Alpines can be on the skinny side.

Fair enough, the lady we got ours from does milk her goats, so I imagine that is why she chose 8 weeks. I will do free choice feed for now. How long should I do this before cutting back to less food per day. As adults do you have any recommendations? Edit: We do know what we would like to feed them measurement wise, but I am wanting to see what others do as well

 

[OneFineAcre]

Let me give you some back ground. We have yearling Togg and a 4 year old Togg. And then two 2 year old Togg/Alpine crosses that are in milk and two kids. They are living with about 35 Nigerian Dwarfs. The standards get fed in mass with all of the others, and then eat on the milk stand.
I would estimate total the Toggs and crosses are getting close to 5 quarts each per day of 18% feed and free choice hay. I would say they are still thinner than I like. I'll get a couple of pictures later.
We show ours and I think most of the people who show standard goats give them free choice feed. We got our first Toggs from the person who is also our vet and he gives his free choice feed.
I hope you enjoy your new goats.

 

[Alaskan]

With my goats they got free choice range/browse and free choice hay.

Small amount of pellets morning and night if growing or pregnant.

Goats in milk got way more, lots on the milk stand. My high production Sannen needed a "lunch" as well.