General Feeding Question

Good afternoon all and greetings from central NC.

Having just acquired (3) young Bohr goats, I have a few general questions regarding feeding. My initial and primary purpose for the goats was to ustilized them to clear (eat) underbrush we have on our property. We've only had them since last Sunday. In an effort to acclimate them to our place, we have placed them in a grass open area area about 150' X 150'. I've supplemented their daily feeding with 16% goat feed from Southern States. I was told by the seller that we should limit suppliment all grain feed, to keep the goats feeding on natural growing grass, weeds, underbrush, etc. He stated that feeding too much grain would cause them to be less responsive to eating the materials we first acquired them for.

Am I approaching this incorrectly, or should I supply supplemental grain and hay until I can ensure my entire property is "escape proof," or as best I can? (2) of them, both does, found their way .25 miles up the road on their 2nd day with us. Secured tightly the area they escaped from.

If I remember correctly, you have a wether and 2 does. Most concur that wethers need zero grain, and in fact it's bad for them (as part of a regular diet) as it can cause UC (Urinary Calculi - stones). As a treat, or in very small amounts should be fine. You have to be very careful with the calcium to phosphorus... should be a minimum of 2:1 ca to ph up to 4:1. You also want to make sure that the feed and the minerals contain AC (Ammonium Chloride) which will not hurt/bother the does, but will help prevent UC in the wether. The goat feed you're using is great. Some never use it and do straight hay for everyone. Some do goat feed until they're grown up then cease the feed. Some use the feed all the time. It's a matter of how well conditioned your goats are and if they need the feed or not.

They all should be provided a decent quality hay 24/7. Even after they start browsing they should still have hay available. Once you make the fence line browse available to them they'll start pigging out on that and slow way down on the hay consumption. They shouldn't need much hay at that point, but they'll still eat some. As for the grain, if you're feeding them 16% goat feed daily, they shouldn't need grain on top of that. Most do grain for the does only and only when they are providing milk as making milk takes a lot of energy.

Most of it has to do with the health and fitness of the animals. If they're getting fat, you're either feeding too much of the good stuff (16% feed, grain) and you can cut back, or they're pregnant . If they're not growing well, or not filling out, then they're not getting enough and you should boost the feed amount or add grain. If that doesn't help, then you need to check them for parasites/worms. If their coat is looking rough or ragged, dull, excess shedding, it's a possibility that they are mineral deficient. The most important being copper and selenium. A good loose, granulated mineral blend (specifically for goats, with copper) should be available to them free choice.

Though they will eat grass, it's not their preferred food... They'd much prefer tree branches, leaves, pine needles, bark, shrubbery, ivy, vines, etc. Goats are primarily browsers, not grazers. While they're in the holding area and until you get the property properly fenced so you can let them out, cut some tree branches for them and they'll be happy goats. Just NOT cherry... cherry/choke cherry leaves (that are damaged or wilted at all) can kill them. Most goats really like oak leaves and acorns, or if you have wild brambles/thorn bushes you can cut for them, or poison ivy....

Boers can be a little finicky a lot of doors in our region are not big forage eaters majority of the stock live off of grain and hay and don't know what to do in the field so it really depends on where your goats of come from
I'm voice texting on the phone so sorry about the errors
You don't need to give them hey 24 seven if you want them to start eating the forage put out a flake in the morning and let them eat the Forge in the day but ours are pretty big and yes they could still use some supplemental feed
What kind of forage do you have on the land because they really don't care for grass goats will eat it but it certainly is not their first choice