Newbie question: Switching new goat's diet

[madcow]

Hey, everyone! I don't have goats yet, but I'm working on getting everything set up and ready to go for my first goats (a couple of pygmy doelings). I'm really excited about getting goats for the first time! When I first purchase goats I do plan on finding out how they have been fed up to that point. What if the goats I purchase have only been on forage? Should I just avoid those goats? I understand that it's not a good idea to make huge changes to a goat's diet all at once, because it upsets their system. We have forage for our goats, but I plan to gradually switch them to good hay (alfalfa), goat pellets and mineral supplements in order to give them the best diet for good health. I live in central Texas and it's a big state and there's a huge difference of what's available in forage from one area to another and I may be driving close to 200 miles in order to procure goats. So regardless what I plan on eventually feeding them it seems that there's a good chance they will be eating differently, if they have been foraging, as soon as I bring them home. Here is the question: Knowing how our goats will be fed, what would be the best way to transition a new goat's diet, with completely different food and not having what they have been eating available any longer in order to make a gradual transition in diet, to have the least impact on its digestion? Or is this possible at all? I really appreciate any input everyone has, because you guys are a lot more knowledgeable about goats than I am and I know I will be turning to you with lots of questions in the future, once I do get my goats. So expect to be hearing from me often! Thanks so much!

 

[Catahoula]

I am new to goats too and had mine since May of this year. I was hoping more experience members would answer your questions sooner. I just want to point out sometimes when you get a goat with unknown background (ie, at auction or sale barn), you may not know what that goat had been eating. You just do your best to feed him and expect some tummy problem. Knowing how to treat right away would help the goat adjust sooner. So if these goats are used to browsing with no other supplement, you can limit their time on the pasture the first few days when you get them so they don't eat too much. You may put little hay in their pen so they can start eating that. Just expect them to have some tummy problem but they may not. Sometimes just being moved around can stress the goat too. Some people feed them probiotic (yogurt) help settle stomach, pepto or diarrhea, or leaving baking soda out to help ease of bloating. Hope this help.

 

[Straw Hat Kikos]

Firstly, Welcome!! I hope you enjoy this site as much as I have.

Now, when I switch a food I just switch it over a few days. If I were you I would take some of the feed from the other owners and give them half that feed and half your new feed, if you switch, the first day and the next day just give all yours. I know that alot of people will freak out and say to do it over like 3-5 days but I don't think you need to. Just give them their feed, half, then yours.

Also, many Pygmys and some Nigerians (smaller breeds) can thrive on nothing but pasture or browse. You do not want to avoid that. Get goats that need as little care as possible and feed is a big care. Now if the goats are very skinny then they should be feeding them but alot of times the smaller breeds are good on just pasture and that is a good thing.

Changing a goats diet quickly is not a very good thing, as you know, because goats digestion is done by organisms not really the goats themselves. Changing quickly does not allow those organisms to adjust to the new feed and that's not good for them. But imo you don't need to go on, so I make it rather quick. I've even had goats that changed feed and hay all the sudden and they were fine. If the goats you are getting are not on feed and you want to put them on feed then do it by just giving them a little and increase it over 2 or 3 days if you wish. Alfalfa is a good choice. It's expensive but is the best hay for goats. Free choice mineral is a very good idea too. Don't do blocks, buckets, mineral licks, or salt licks. Just loose mineral. Also clean fresh water is very important for goats.

Also, limiting their time on pasture, I don't see to be necessary. What I would do if I were you though, is to put them in a dry lot and worm them with several wormers and leave them in there for two weeks. Then you can let them out and do their thing.