newbie with questions

[Vickir73]

Last Friday I obtained a trio of Nubian goats. The "momma" doe is 2 years old. She has 1 year old twin does. Momma doe is pregnant and is due 6/19. The bigger yearling twin (hopefully I am using the proper terms) is due 6/4. My concern is their size. Not the mommas' sizes, but their pregnancy girth size - not sure I'm making sense here. But basically, for them to be due in 6-8 weeks, their bellies don't seem to be that "big." I've just started reading on a couple of forums and did read somewhere that the babies really start growing the last 4-6 weeks? and that I should cut back on the mother's feed the last 30 days or so and just give them hay? They were not being given regular feed up until now - just mainly pasture - should I keep giving them feed or go ahead and pull the feed in a couple of weeks and give them only hay? My thought is to keeping giving them feed because I would think they would need more nutrients in order to make milk - but I may be wrong . . .

I think I also read somewhere and I forgot to write it down that I should give them vitamins to help the babies legs? B? something? I found it yesterday and am having trouble finding it again.

Sorry for all the questions - I am reading the forum as quickly as I can, but I'm afraid I have a lot to learn in a very short period of time. My mother found someone who was giving away these goats and she didn't want to miss the opportunity - so here I am (re) learning about goats - not that I'm complaining - they are very sweet and I am looking forward to the milk and meat.

I've read about the SweetLix and am planning on getting some this weekend locally at our TSC or feedstore, hopefully, I won't have to order it. I meant to rip the ingredient tag of the bag last night and forgot, but it's a Dumor brand of goat feed that I bought at TSC (along with a mineral block). Last night with the feed I mixed in (cause I already have all this stuff for my chickens) rolled oats, cracked corn, BOSS, and about 2 handfuls of alfapha chopped hay. I (not surprisingly) noted that they really liked the mixture better than the plan feed How much should I be giving them? I want them to get all the nutrients they need for the babies and milk production, but I don't want to over feed them - they also have access to pasture.

I raised/showed goats in high school but that was (wink, wink) a few years ago and I know things have changed a lot since then, so although I'm not a complete newbie, I'm considering myself one. 18% protein on the dairy goat feed? I'm also reading about copper and AC.

 

[elevan]

Here's a great thread for you to read through - Goat Feeding Discussion

I think I also read somewhere and I forgot to write it down that I should give them vitamins to help the babies legs? B? something? I found it yesterday and am having trouble finding it again.

Bo-Se
You need to get it from a vet. It's selenium and vitamin E injectible.

I've read about the SweetLix and am planning on getting some this weekend locally at our TSC or feedstore, hopefully, I won't have to order it. I meant to rip the ingredient tag of the bag last night and forgot, but it's a Dumor brand of goat feed that I bought at TSC (along with a mineral block). Last night with the feed I mixed in (cause I already have all this stuff for my chickens) rolled oats, cracked corn, BOSS, and about 2 handfuls of alfapha chopped hay. I (not surprisingly) noted that they really liked the mixture better than the plan feed How much should I be giving them? I want them to get all the nutrients they need for the babies and milk production, but I don't want to over feed them - they also have access to pasture.

Goats don't need a lot of extra stuff that can cause you to go bankrupt

The link I provided above has a calculator in it at one point that you can use to make sure that you're getting the right nutrient mix.

Also TSC doesn't sell Sweetlix...never seen it at the 3 stores that I frequent anyway. You'll need to go to a more traditional feed store.

I'm also reading about copper and AC.

http://www.backyardherds.com/web/viewblog.php?id=2607-copperselenium

http://www.backyardherds.com/web/viewblog.php?id=2607-copasure





And here's some more for you:

http://www.backyardherds.com/web/viewblog.php?id=2607-basic-health

http://www.backyardherds.com/web/viewblog.php?id=2607-coccidia-goat

http://www.backyardherds.com/web/viewblog.php?id=2607-parasite-mgmt

 

[20kidsonhill]

I personally think with your does being young, they should have some extra beside just pasture.

The things you are using are all sounding good, although I wouldn't get too carried away with the total amount, especially the corn. They love corn, but that will really add the lbs onto the babies.

We feed about 2 to 3 cups of a pelleted goat feed per day per doe, if they are under 2 years of age, and if they are older we only give them pasture/hay until they are about 5 weeks before kidding.

It should just be a small handful of sunflower seeds a day,

I add about 1 cup of corn per doe, once they are about 2 weeks into their nursing/milking. Corn and alfalfa are great for increasing milk supply. But too much corn can cause acidosis and bloat.

 

[Vickir73]

thank you. I've read most of the information from the forum that Elevan replied with - the feeding discussion and the worming and parasite information. I'm a member of BYC, so I know everyone has their own method that works for them. I looked up the county I live in on the map and it said I was in the "cu=4.9+ / -1.3 ppm" area. Is this good or bad? I'm still trying to figure out exactly what it means - I saw the explanation on the forum yesterday, but am still trying to find it again. Chickens aren't this complicated

 

[Chris]

There are a few factors that can come into play when feeding a bred doe. Condition of the doe before breeding, type of feed, and type of hay are 3 of the big ones.
Here is the "rule" that I go by.
A doe in good condition when bred and on good hay will get a 1/2 lb to 1 lb of grain a day (if on poor hay they will get 1 to 1-1/2 lbs).
If the hay is a poor quality grass hay I use a 18% protein feed and if the I'm using a good alfalfa hay then I use a 16% protein feed.

Now most of the time I feeding what I would a "poor" quality hay so I feed about a pound of 18% feed a day.


Chris