Feeding Question: Hay and Grain

[2littlepygmys]

I have one pygmy goat wether and a young boer cross doeling who is about three months old. They are just spoiled pets. They have plenty of grass and brush to eat. I feed them a little goat chow every day, but not much, and they occasionally get treats from us. I haven't fed any hay this summer. Should I be giving them hay, or can I wait until they are low on grass and brush this winter? And what about grain. I know my wether shouldn't be getting a lot of grain, but he's a pig and if it's there he'll eat it. I'm more concerned with my boer doeling as I've never had a large breed goat before and I don't know much about their nutritional needs. I just want to make sure we're prepared going into winter.

 

[glenolam]

Pasture and brush is good, but I think you should begin to introduce hay now so their rumens have a chance to adjust and prepare for the winter. You'll need to provide hay free choice during the winter if there is nothing for them to eat in your pasture/fields.

You are correct that your wether doesn't really need the grain - if you search for urinary calculi or look at this thread you'll get a bunch of info on it.

If you plan on breeding your doeling her nutritional needs will change and you'll need to supplement her feed with a grain specific for lactating does. If you don't plan on it, grain isn't necessarily needed either, but it should be offered if her body condition looks like it needs a pick up.

If you don't want to give the wether grain, but need to give the doeling some, lock him in the pen or vice versa during feeding time.

Are you offering free choice minerals or a mineral block?

 

[2littlepygmys]

I do have a mineral block out there for them, specifically for goats, is there anything else they might need? I saw a post about baking soda but didn't see what the reason was.

As far as hay goes, how much should I expect to feed per day for two goats this winter? Can I give too much?

 

[glenolam]

Baking soda helps the rumen digest the food. It's great if you're in a pinch where your goat is throwing up or seems to have a stomach ache. Some people offer baking soda free choice - I only give it if something seems off - like someone isn't eating right.

Some people will tell you the blocks are useless and that you should go with loose minerals and some (like me) will say blocks are great and they've never had a problem with the mineral block. IMO, the loose minerals get clumpy in humid weather and my goats avoid it at all costs whereas with the mineral block they love it regardless of if it's spent a day in the rain or fresh from the store.

You can't ever over feed hay - all that will happen is that they'll waste what they don't eat. So it depends on how much you want to spend on hay. When I had 3 goats I built a hay feeder that fit 1 square bale and it usually lasted just about 2 weeks. Some people feed 1 "flake" per head per day and some just "free-for-all" it.

You should do whatever works best for you and your situation.

 

[poorboys]

talking about pygmys, when you vaccinate, and do preventives, is it just like nubians, except go by weight? My dh went and bought some pygmys and I am new to them. just want to keep them all healthly. also on the grain, do you use medicated feed on the young ones, and other feed to the mama's? I have 2 that are young and 3 does that are breed 2yr olds, and 1 buck. just need to know about their nutrential and health needs. thanks Patty