Goat feed?

newbiekat

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We raise goats mainly, but have gotten a couple calves. Our set up isn't really designed to have them separate, and I know people run cattle and goats together, but how do you feed them? I grain my goats nearly every day free choice. Will that be okay for the calves? Also, we have free choice minerals for my goats, and I know cattle need a salt and mineral block, but I don't necessarily want to make those accessible to my goats. Suggestions?

I have attached a picture of the grain I feed my goats, will that work for the calves too?
IMG_20170613_162328574_HDR.jpg
 

greybeard

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I don't free choice feed my calves. I feed by a % of body weight, starting at 2lbs/100lbs of body weight..
I don't do mineral or salt blocks either, they'll wear out 3 sets of tongues trying to lick enough minerals to get what they need. I keep out loose salt and and a GOOD loose mineral.
Is the above ration all they are on or are they still being bottle fed too?

I'd want something with more protein %.
I like something with a less fiber too--often it's just filler when it comes to calf feed. 5-10% at the most.
How old are they?
Breed?
Body condition?
What are your goals for them?
What DRoG do you want?
 

Alaskan

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I can't imagine free feeding goats grain. .... my mind boggles.

I free feed hay, and try to give them as much access to pasture/range as possible. They get some grain in the mornings.

Kids still getting milk get milk mixed with some grain 2x a day, starting about 2 months old.

Too much grain and their poo would get super soft.

As to minerals. ... not sure how the calves would respond to loose minerals. ....but the goats could have loose minerals AND a mineral block. The block wouldn't hurt the goats, it is just that the goats need more than just a block.
 

Bossroo

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Looking at the label, the ingredient list says product this and that. I would want to know what the product actually is. The way it is stated they can change the ingredients at any time without your knowledge. Could be ok or could be not ! I would change to a feed that lists exactly what is in the bag.
 

OneFineAcre

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My feed contains corn, soy meal, oats, alfalfa, soy bean oil and added minerals.
 

greybeard

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Label sounds like a pellet type feed to me, but could be textured too.
Search shows it to be a Bartlett co-op product, but their web page doesn't show any of the contents of Opti-key products.
At that age, I would probably have them on Manna and follow the directions on the bag label.
 

newbiekat

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Daily Rate of Gain

I have no idea what DRoG they would need. :\

I can't imagine free feeding goats grain. .... my mind boggles.

Well, it's not so much every day, some days they don't get it except on the milk stand. It kind of depends on our schedule. I just "trough" feed (in my PVC feeder that I made) and I put out enough for them to eat on it all day long. Some days it's gone by midday, some days they leave it till the evening.

I free feed hay, and try to give them as much access to pasture/range as possible. They get some grain in the mornings. Kids still getting milk get milk mixed with some grain 2x a day, starting about 2 months old.

I feed hay free choice hay also, and they have access to pasture all day. Our kids get grain as early as they start nibbling.

As to minerals. ... not sure how the calves would respond to loose minerals. ....but the goats could have loose minerals AND a mineral block. The block wouldn't hurt the goats, it is just that the goats need more than just a block.

@greybeard says he has loose minerals for his calves, so I'm sure the calves would be fine on it. I've read that blocks arent good for goats because it ruins their teeth? They don't lick, they try to bite it off?

Looking at the label, the ingredient list says product this and that. I would want to know what the product actually is. The way it is stated they can change the ingredients at any time without your knowledge. Could be ok or could be not ! I would change to a feed that lists exactly what is in the bag.

Where do you see this and that? Isn't there is an ingredients list on the bottom?

My feed contains corn, soy meal, oats, alfalfa, soy bean oil and added minerals.

@OneFineAcre What is your percentages of each? My Co-op is willing to mix for us if we purchase 1,000 lbs at a time (which I wouldn't mind doing), but I don't know what to mix. Also, you say yours contains "added minerals" does that mean you don't feed a mineral free choice?

Label sounds like a pellet type feed to me, but could be textured too.
Search shows it to be a Bartlett co-op product, but their web page doesn't show any of the contents of Opti-key products.
At that age, I would probably have them on Manna and follow the directions on the bag label.

Yes it is a pellet feed. We do have manna. Are you saying ONLY manna for the time being? The older calf is interested in the manna, we usually start them on sweet feed to get them interested in grain, then switch them over to something healthier for them over time.
 

OneFineAcre

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I do not know the proportion of each, I don't mix it.
It's made by a local feed mill. It's 14% protein.
If I had to speculate for a 2000 lb mix it would be 1200 lbs of corn, 300 lbs oats, 300 lbs of soy meal, 150 lbs of alfalfa, 50lbs of mineral and 5 gallons of soybean oil, or there about.
They add minerals to the feed, but I still give additional mineral free choice.
 

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