Opinions on Horse Feed for Goats

[journeysend]

Ok, I may be asking a redundant question so you must forgive me if this is a recent topic. I have been very stumped as to what to feed my goats. I have 4 young kids (2 bucks, 2 does) and 3 pregnant does. I read online about using horse feed designed for mares and foals. I am an avid label reader and spend an hour or more in TSC looking at different feeds, so to avoid all of this headache (and spending my entire lunch break at TSC lol), does anyone have any experience with this? In the past with my Boers, I always used Purina Noble Goat and Dumor Goat pelleted (not sweet). Should I stick with these or is there something better out there? I hate having to buy a feed and still feed the need to supplement with lots of minerals. Also one type of mare and foal food I was looking at contained 32% protein, which I assume is too high for a goat? Any opinions or expertise would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!

 

[Ariel301]

Most dairy goat rations are around 16% protein. You could use a little of that 32% as a supplement, but I would not feed that straight, that is more than they need. The goat feeds are fine if you want to continue using those, there's no reason not to use them if they are available and affordable. A lot of people use a "sweet feed" or "COB" (corn oats barley) feed made for horses, and those work well. I like to feed alfalfa pellets to my goats for protein and calcium, they can eat a large amount of that without the rumen problems associated with intaking too much grain.

As for supplementing with extra minerals on top of the feed, that really depends on your goats, your hay or pasture, and where you live. Some areas are really mineral deficient, and some goats just seem to need more minerals than others do. It's always a good idea to offer a good loose mineral made specifically for goats free-choice, especially for pregnant or heavily milking does and young growing kids.

 

[Roll farms]

I would stick w/ a feed made for goats and offer a good goat mineral free choice.
They take what they 'need' from it, and generally speaking, the worst-looking goats (as far as condition) I've seen have been at farms where they are not offering any mineral at all.

What kind of goats are they?

Dairy does, when pregnant or lactating, will need 'more' feed than when dry.
Dairy bucks need very little grain, mostly mine get good hay / mineral when not 'working'. You'll need your buck's feed to be Ca ratio at 2:1 *or* feed ammonium chloride to prevent UC.

Good hay should always be the 'base' of your feeding plan, though...

 

[journeysend]

I do feed them hay, pretty much all they want. Most of what is locally available here is Bermuda. They are Nigerians/mixes, and my 2 young bucks are Nubian and Oberhasli. I don't mind sticking with a goat feed, I just want to make sure they are getting the best.

 

[20kidsonhill]

I agree with ARiel that the 32% could probably be used as a top-dress, but it is recommended that goats shouldn't get more than 18% protein in their total diet. It is similar to starving to death on rabbit meat, too much protein, not enough fat and other stuff.


Show goats are often feed a 16% ration with a 33% top dress. As far as the horse feed not being good for the goats, I don't think that would be a problem.

 

[julieq]

Since we've always had horses and goats both, we feed COB with molasses. The goats get free choice alfalfa hay and Golden Blend minerals.

 

[Iwantgoats]

I am one of those people that feed my goats a mare and foal pellet feed. I don't normally give feed to my goats, especially the wethers. They just get hay and browse along with minerals. When the does are pregnant and nursing I then use the grain to supplement and I use the mare and foal feed. The others get grain now and again as a treat or when they escape and I lure them in I have not had any problems with them. I don't think the protein is as high as 32%, but all is happy here.

 

[Iwantgoats]

I had to check out what protein level mine was because I was a little worried Anyway, the Mare & Foal feed I use (Agway) had 16%. It is higher than goat feed but that is why I use it. Also has lots of other good stuff for my does

 

[SDGsoap&dairy]

Our goat feed is a 16% dairy ration.

 

[freemotion]

My guess is that a 32% feed or top dress is going to be almost all soybean meal. I would not give that (or any soy) to animals that I wanted to keep and breed long term. It creates early development in females but then problems long term. It contains powerful hormone disruptors.