I have a 2 month old doeling that I'm starting to wean off the bottle. I'm just giving her the morning bottle. She's not taking any interest in grain at all and I'd hoped that cutting her down to one bottle would get her to eat the grain but it's been nearly a week and she's still not interested in the grain. She acts totally normal and is eating hay eagerly. Is it entirely necessary for her to even be eating grain? Does anyone not grain their young'uns? Since she was slow to start eating hay, is it likely that she will just be delayed in going for the grain too? I've never had one not eating grain by this point so I dunno...
Should I be worried?
- Thread starter chandasue
- Start date
As long as she is eating hay don't worry. But keep a supply of grain in front of her, she will start eating it... She will need the vitamins and minerals in the feed I always keep feed in front of my little ones until they are at least 6 months old...
freemotion
Self Sufficient Queen
I don't grain anyone who is growing well or of a good weight. If available, I prefer to hang some leafy branches and weeds in the stall when they are confined (along with hay) to give increased nutrition in a form that goats were designed to eat. If you do this, please know how to identify plants in your area and know what is safe for your kids.
I use birch, sugar maple, apple, goldenrod, grape vines, poplar, etc, tied in a bundle with a ball bungee and hung from a snap installed high up in one corner.
I use birch, sugar maple, apple, goldenrod, grape vines, poplar, etc, tied in a bundle with a ball bungee and hung from a snap installed high up in one corner.
Ariel301
Loving the herd life
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I didn't grain my kids at all until this year's bunch, the hay has been pretty trashy so far this year so I figure they probably need something extra to balance that out. Some of my kids could care less about the grain, and others will eat it. My Alpine/Oberhasli doeling is a grain monster, if she sees grain, she wants it! I get her out of the pen for her bottle while I milk the does, and when she finishes that, I have to give her her own bucket of grain or she will jump on the stand and squeeze her head in alongside the milking doe and start vacuuming up the grain in the feeder.
- Thread starter
- #5
That's what I was hoping you'd all say. 
Free: great idea to hang branches... now if we'd just get some leaves around here. They're about 2 weeks late this spring. They get let out to browse but the only thing they're finding so far is dandelions and brown leaves from last fall. I suppose it'll all catch up soon enough to round out her diet. Thanks everyone.
Free: great idea to hang branches... now if we'd just get some leaves around here. They're about 2 weeks late this spring. They get let out to browse but the only thing they're finding so far is dandelions and brown leaves from last fall. I suppose it'll all catch up soon enough to round out her diet. Thanks everyone.
Emmetts Dairy
Loving the herd life
You can also try a little molasses on the grain...it may help??? But she should get it soon. And as stated..alot of people dont give grain. I introduce grain and water about 2 weeks of age...and they catch on fast!
Good luck!
Good luck!
helmstead
Goat Mistress
My bottle babies have a grain holder in front of them from the start...it's just 'there' should they want to try it. If, by a few weeks old, they're not trying it, I will put an older baby that is eating well in the bottle baby stall to 'teach' them about hay and grain. Monkey see, monkey do!
Emmetts Dairy
Loving the herd life
Great point! That will help to...cuz my little ones are watching their Mommas get grain and standing to see whats inside already!! They are little monkies!!helmstead said:
And they are just a week old and chomp chomping on hay already!!
julieq
Ridin' The Range
We don't start our kids on grain until they're close to breeding age. They just get free choice alfalfa hay. Growth rate is fine.
- Thread starter
- #10
She's actually in with the big girls since she's pretty much the same size as my NDs anyway. I figured she'd catch on seeing them scarf down grain. She's a sweetheart but she's not the brightest bulb. 
I think I'll try the molasses though just to peak her interest. The hay we have right now is not as nice as we've had in the past. It's not horrible but it's a lot more grass. They said it was 50/50 alfalfa/grass and the first bail I looked at seemed to be. The rest of it has been like 10% alfalfa... :/ She is eating it well regardless.
I think I'll try the molasses though just to peak her interest. The hay we have right now is not as nice as we've had in the past. It's not horrible but it's a lot more grass. They said it was 50/50 alfalfa/grass and the first bail I looked at seemed to be. The rest of it has been like 10% alfalfa... :/ She is eating it well regardless.
