Need help with newly acquired goats that are fed chicken feed

[Smrboyd]

Hi all! I'm new here but I've been reading and reading.
Anyway my problem is that I have recently taken over my in laws home and land and with it came two pygmy does. They are about two years old and seem very healthy. The problem is that they have been fed chicken feed for as long as they have been here and as I am reading, I am finding that it is an inappropriate feed for them. They have free choice grass hay and a large yard full of grass, trees and shrubs that they nibble on and get the feed- about a cup each per day. No other supplements at all.
Like I said, they seem very healthy but I want to do whatever I need to as far as a feed change. If someone could give me an idea of what to change them to and how to go about changing, I would appreciate it. We are in southern Louisiana, if climate has anything to do with it.
Thanks!

 

[ragdollcatlady]

The simple answer is to use 16 percent goat pellet. You can switch directly to that if the chicken feed is a pellet or crumble. If the chicken feed is a grain, like just "scratch", you can mix a tiny bit of their 'usual' with the new goat pellets for a couple days just to introduce it. I would suggest adding a loose mineral mix for goats too. The hay and browse sound good! Any changes from there, you can do, once you decide if you want to complicate their feeding regimen. The more you read, the more ideas you may want to try. Welcome to goats!

 

[Smrboyd]

Ah yes, simple is what I need. The goat feed threads were hurting my head.
The chicken feed is pelleted. I was wondering if it should be a gradual switch so thanks so much for your reply! I'll get them some goat feed and minerals tomorrow.

 

[babsbag]

I think I would switch them gradually, maybe drag it out for a week, no longer than two.

And welcome to BYH and the world of goats.

 

[Smrboyd]

Ok that's easy enough to do. Thanks!

 

[ragdollcatlady]

Poultry pellets or crumbles should be similar enough in main ingredients, that I wouldn't expect digestive issues with a quicker change, nor would I expect the goats to object to the difference... I would be most concerned with the difference in mineral composition for laying hens vs what goats require, prompting me to change faster.... but I wouldn't expect a few days more to have severe consequences either if a slower switch was desired.

 

[Latestarter]

Aside from feed, and as mentioned, the goats will need access to minerals and your in laws probably made them available free choice, so in watching them get fed, might not have noticed them. Most here will recommend granulated rather than a block as they tend to chew the blocks to try and get what they need (and can't get enough) and can damage their teeth trying. With the granulated they get what they need and self regulate. Get the minerals specifically formulated for goats, not a generic mineral blend. Welcome to BYH and please continue to browse! Make yourself at home and if you have further questions, just ask away! Good luck.

 

[OneFineAcre]

This is the mineral we use.
Sweetlix Meat Maker.
It say's that it is formulated for meat goats and we have dairy goats. But, it's best based on how we feed ours compared to the mineral they make specifically for dairy goats.

We use the loose mineral 11681. It's non medicated.

http://www.sweetlix.com/products/C14A34/meat-maker-products.aspx

 

[babsbag]

I use the Sweetlix dairy mineral as I feed a 100% alfalfa diet and that is what the dairy mineral is designed to compliment.

 

[Bruce]

ASSUMING you have no chickens why not add goat pellets to the chicken feed in an increasing percentage until the chicken feed is gone?

Welcome to the wonderful world of BYH!