More natural and economical approach to feeding?

jodief100

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I do something similar to GoatBoy only I don't use sweet feed. They don't need the molasses and there is a risk of the food getting moldy. I mix 2 parts commercial 18% protine pellets to 1 part whole corn and 1 part alfalfa pellets. I will adjust the protein pellets up and down depending on condition and what hay I have.
 

Chelsea2258

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Yea I'm leaning toward hay more than grain since I'm going the more natural route. Of course, I'm still doing grain for different stages or in the winter.
 

SheepGirl

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Just wanted to clear this up real quick...
Yeah, I totally agree with you about the alfalfa. It is WAY too rich for goats and not even recommended for male goats due to its high calcium content. I would think that this mainly applies to wethers due to their increased risk of urinary calculi.

Alfalfa is actually GOOD for male animals in regards to male animals because of the calcium content. They need two to seven times much calcium as phosphorus in order to help prevent UC. It is the buildup of the phosphorus (primarily from the consumption of grains) that causes UC (a mineral blockage in the urethra); the calcium (found in most legumes, especially alfalfa) is what helps to break a part the phosphorus buildup.
 
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goatboy1973

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Just wanted to clear this up real quick...


Alfalfa is actually GOOD for male animals in regards to male animals because of the calcium content. They need two to seven times much calcium as phosphorus in order to help prevent UC. It is the buildup of the phosphorus (primarily from the consumption of grains) that causes UC (a mineral blockage in the urethra); the calcium (found in most legumes, especially alfalfa) is what helps to break a part the phosphorus buildup.
Thanks for the clarification.:)
 

OneFineAcre

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I have dairy goats and while I do not feed alfalfa free choice, I consider it to be essential as a supplement to lactating does. It helps boost production and helps to maintain good body condition. This is particularly true since we show our goats
 

goatboy1973

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For those of you that do a more natural approach to feeing your goats, what is your feeding routine? I'm thinking that when I get goats (don't have any just yet) that I'll do browse/grazing, free choice alfalfa hay, and free choice loose minerals and then add some grain in the winter (Michigan) and/or when pregnant/nursing. Would this be enough? My research tells me that it should be fine but then I hear people giving pellets and baking soda and all this other stuff. I really want to go with as little commercial feed and as natural as possible without making it complicated. I also want to mix my own grains but I'm not sure of any good recipes that don't have commercial pellets or whatever in it. TIA for any and all help!
Here's what works for my operation and has worked for 13 yrs: I start out with a base of 50 lbs alfalfa pellets, 20 lbs of powdered corn, 15 lbs. of Black sunflower seeds,30 lbs of beet pulp (dry and shredded), 1/2 lb of CO-OP goat loose mineral with zinc, 1 cup of corn oil, and 1 large bottle of liquid molasses based goat vitamin such as Nutri-Drench. I have a good sized electric cement/ mortar mixer I use to mix all this up in. I first mix all the dry ingredients together except for the powdered corn and loose goat mineral. I then slowly add the corn oil, molasses based goat vitamin and mix until I achieve an even consistency. Then, with the mixer still running, I add the goat mineral and the powdered corn and mix until an even consistency is achieved. I feed this for about 6 weeks prior to breeding and the results are astounding. I usually feed this once daily and feed as much as my does can consume in 30 mins. To flush my bucks, I mix the same formula except I half the corn and alfalfa and replace the deficit with beet pulp due to corn and alfalfa being bad for male goats' urinary system. If you don't own an electric cement mixer, you can mix it in a large wheel barrow with a yard rake like I have done in the past with similar results. I mix up enough to last a week at a time. This mix must be kept in a cool place because it will rapidly start to ferment in the hot summer weather and spoil. Flushing works wonderfully at Calfee Farms. Most years we have 175% kidding rate, this year 200% kidding rate for spring kids and our fall 2012 kidding season we had all twins except for one single birth. Hope this recipe is not too complicated but once you get bags of each ingredient, you can mix as you need it even daily if you like. :cool::drool
:thumbsup
 

M.L. McKnight

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You have a good idea. Personally, I don't feed my goats or cattle alfalfa because I don't want to have to worry about bloat. My horses and hogs LOVE when I get some for them though. I'd recommend that you grow some sainfoin instead of alfalfa, similar nutrient levels and doesn't cause bloat.

Try growing some sprouts for your goats. You can buy some of the ready made systems OR do what I do and sprinkle seeds in your own trays- water them and let the sun do its magic. My goats go nuts for sprouts, I've done wheat, oats, grass mixes and etc. It is really easy to do, just make sure that you keep the water changed, if you leave it too long you can end up having some ferment.

Have fun and good luck.
 

goatboy1973

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You have a good idea. Personally, I don't feed my goats or cattle alfalfa because I don't want to have to worry about bloat. My horses and hogs LOVE when I get some for them though. I'd recommend that you grow some sainfoin instead of alfalfa, similar nutrient levels and doesn't cause bloat.

Try growing some sprouts for your goats. You can buy some of the ready made systems OR do what I do and sprinkle seeds in your own trays- water them and let the sun do its magic. My goats go nuts for sprouts, I've done wheat, oats, grass mixes and etc. It is really easy to do, just make sure that you keep the water changed, if you leave it too long you can end up having some ferment.

Have fun and good luck.
Our goats' main food source is pasture and overgrown woodland which they have access to 24/7 year round. We only feed the mixture for first time mommas if they need it or if we have a goat that is sick or injured.
 

Chelsea2258

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No. My hubby just got out of the military and we moved in with his parents until we get jobs and are stable. Then we will buy a house and the goats will come a couple years after. I get ahead of myself a lot. Lol!
 
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