Delicate nibbler doesn't get much, and a pig-goat

[R-Lawrence]

I have two does, a wether and a buck. One doe (CC) is about 5 years old and is preggers for her second time (quads the last time). She's a big ole pig and pushes everyone out of the way. (We call her the CC the pig-goat!) She coughs at hay lately so since she's due within the next couple of weeks, we've suspended the hay and replaced it with alfalfa pellets, and a few times a week add sweet feed and whole oats. She also loves celery and whole grain bread. There's not a lot of browse anymore in the goat pen.

Her half-sister (Honey) is just about a year old now, and if she's pregnant, she'll kid probably early June. But she's a very picky eater. Not in WHAT she eats, but HOW. First off, she's very very slow. She'll take a nibble and by the time she's ready to take another nibble, the other 3 have devoured the food (or hay). So when I have time, I take her off by herself outside the pen. But she's maddeningly slow! Pulls up one piece with her lips, moves it around in her mouth (think wine taster) and finally will eat it. Then bends for another.

I'm concerned for Honey. I don't always have time to take her to the side to feed her separately. The wether eats a LOT, and the buck (newly acquired) is just getting to where he understands what the red bucket and yellow oatmeal container mean (FOOD).

They also have red buckets of goat minerals and baking soda out. Lots of water (although the wind blows lots of hay and such in it, they don't seem to care). Periodically they get goat supplement treats, and sometimes rice or bread when I have leftovers.

Think they are ok? Just want goat babies born healthy and strong, and the moms to come out ok.

 

[ksalvagno]

I wouldn't stop the hay for your pregnant female. They need hay to keep their rumen going well. If you could find a way to feed Honey separately at feeding time, that would be best. Just make sure she stays in good condition.

Welcome to BYH and good luck with your goats.

 

[20kidsonhill]

It sounds like they are in a smaller area, and this can be a problem when you have a more timid goat.


I would leave hay out all day in a hay feeder that wont waste your hay, that way the other goats will eat what they want, and when she is ready she can come and eat. IF you are having problems with your hay blowing out of the feeder or the one goat laying right were the hay is all the time, you might want to consider designing a different hay feeder or putting a 2nd one in on the other side of the pen.

also pull her out one time a day, to give her some goat grain, I wouldn't give the thinner one oats, I would stick with higher calorie feeds like pelleted goat feed, calf-manna, alfalfa pellets and black sunflower seeds, vegetabels, sweet potatoes, turnips and pumpkin are especially high in calories.


Since there isn't alot of browse, and I am assuming you mean year round, I would invest in good quality 2nd or 3rd cutting grass mix hay, either with some alfalfa in it or feeding the alfalfa seperate when needed. Forage offers a lot of nutrition and with out it you will need to make sure they are getting that nutrition through a variety of good hay and other feed.

But overall it sounds like you are doing a good job with then, a slow eater can be very frustrating in limited space, A couple of my slow/timid eaters do a lot better in the spring and summer when we have pasture.

 

[R-Lawrence]

I started back with the hay, even tho CC still coughs. I also have pulled her and the nibbler aside a couple of times to give him special goat treats with minerals and vitamins.

The nibbler has always been like that. I kept hoping she'd figure out that if she didn't push and shove like the rest of them, she wouldn't get as much, but she's too much a lady.

Perhaps (I'm hoping) she picks up the bits and pieces the others drop ... later, after they are all done pigging out. I do see her rummaging about sometimes, from the upstairs window. Hope hope hope!

Thanmks for the advice.