I have 5 wethers and 1 doe, ranging from 2-5 years old. I got 4 out of 6 of them when they were 8 weeks old, and the other two I got when they were just a day or two old as bottle babies. Ever since I got them from their breeder's, I have been told to keep them on grain. Lately, I just feel like it's too much. I am buying bags of feed about every 3 weeks. I was told to feed 1 cup per goat twice a day. They have been eating: Purina Goat Grower 16% - Medicated Goat Feed, ever since I got them.
I live in Florida. About 2 years ago we moved from a large farm and significantly downsized. While we still have land, our new place does not have nearly as much forage/grass. The goats were moved into a smaller paddock and basically devoured all of the grass in that area the first couple of weeks we moved in. Since that's the area they frequent, there's no chance for the grass to grow back. I have tried to move them to other areas of the property where there's more pasture, but unfortunately the horse on our property is extremely unruly and is aggressive towards our goats, so its not as often as I'd like.
The goats get unlimited coastal hay. (This is what I was told to give them by the breeder's) I was also told to provide them baking soda and mineral block, they will eat away at the mineral block fairly quickly, but only care for the baking soda for a short while. They have always acted very healthy and happy and I've never had issues with the way I have been feeding them, but I do feel like it might be too excessive after reading others diet plans for their goats. Is it safe to wean them off completely, or maybe I just need to decrease the amount? Maybe 1 cup per goat once a day? Or a 1/2 cup per goat twice a day? Please let me know what your suggestions are.
I have noticed lately since we've upgraded their area and built something to hold unlimited hay, a few of the goats are not interested in eating the grain anymore. I just don't want to upset their stomachs or cause any issue by completely removing it, I know this will need to be gradual if it's able to be done, but of course I want to do it the safest way possible.
Thanks in advance for any advice/suggestions!
I live in Florida. About 2 years ago we moved from a large farm and significantly downsized. While we still have land, our new place does not have nearly as much forage/grass. The goats were moved into a smaller paddock and basically devoured all of the grass in that area the first couple of weeks we moved in. Since that's the area they frequent, there's no chance for the grass to grow back. I have tried to move them to other areas of the property where there's more pasture, but unfortunately the horse on our property is extremely unruly and is aggressive towards our goats, so its not as often as I'd like.
The goats get unlimited coastal hay. (This is what I was told to give them by the breeder's) I was also told to provide them baking soda and mineral block, they will eat away at the mineral block fairly quickly, but only care for the baking soda for a short while. They have always acted very healthy and happy and I've never had issues with the way I have been feeding them, but I do feel like it might be too excessive after reading others diet plans for their goats. Is it safe to wean them off completely, or maybe I just need to decrease the amount? Maybe 1 cup per goat once a day? Or a 1/2 cup per goat twice a day? Please let me know what your suggestions are.
I have noticed lately since we've upgraded their area and built something to hold unlimited hay, a few of the goats are not interested in eating the grain anymore. I just don't want to upset their stomachs or cause any issue by completely removing it, I know this will need to be gradual if it's able to be done, but of course I want to do it the safest way possible.
Thanks in advance for any advice/suggestions!
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