Opinions on Horse Feed for Goats

[timbuti]

Thanks for raising that discussion! We I am I can't get goat feed - only sheep stuff with urea in it - but horse feed is on the market. I'll go check the horse feed out and maybe can save myself running to 3 different places chasing the ingredients I need for mixing my own.

 

[Goatherd]

I needed goat food so today went to TSC.
Because of what I had read here, I did look at the mare/foal feed that was 16% and compared it to the goat food that I feed. Mine was 16% also, but the selenium was much higher percentage than the horse feed, not to mention, $2 less.

I never had a problem with the goat food so I'm going to stay with it.

 

[BlackWatchLady]

I am one of those people that feed my goats a mare and foal pellet feed. I don't normally give feed to my goats, especially the wethers. They just get hay and browse along with minerals. When the does are pregnant and nursing I then use the grain to supplement and I use the mare and foal feed. The others get grain now and again as a treat or when they escape and I lure them in I have not had any problems with them. I don't think the protein is as high as 32%, but all is happy here.

How much do you feed per doe??

 

[Iwantgoats]

Right now I only feed one doe this feed because she is milking and she can have as much as she wants. Generally she has 4-6 cups. She eats most while being milked about 4 cups along with her hay/alfafa cubes and another smaller amount in the evening.

I must say I have been giving the kids about 1 cup a day while milking momma just to keep them quiet and out of trouble for about 1/2 hour! They are eating hay and have been weaned.

My wethers don't get feed and the other does, NO GRAIN, only hay and snacks. I purchase the produce at supermarket that is going out of date and feed to them all.

 

[hillbillycitygirl]

thanks for asking this question, I keep running into different opinions and I dont know which way to go. The lady we bought our goats from (three nubians, two in milk, one is only 3 mo old) said to feed them 100% alfalfa, and then graze and only give them a cup of grain per goat while milking. Well....the milking thing isnt working with only 1 cup of grain, one gets all crazy and kicking as soon as her grain is gone, and just about fell off the stand today because she was so pissy. so...I started thinking...am I feeding wrong? is it the amount, is it the quality, is it the actual feed itself. Its a sweet feed, made for goats, I get it from the local feed mill....should I give more of a pellet style or ???? any tips would be welcomed. I didnt want to give her more because theres corn in there and I was told that too much corn can cause bloat...I dont want that.

Any tips?

 

[julieq]

Our milk does get three way COB with molasses while they're on the stand, basically as much as they want (since we have ND's and mini's that doesn't amount to much though). Pregnant does get about a cup twice a day. Bucks get just enough (handful twice a day) to get the Supergain supplement down them. We don't feed our kids grain until they're close to breeding age, which for our ND's is seven to eight months of age. Then we introduce grain very slowly.

 

[Iwantgoats]

Yes...my doe gets real "pissy" too when the food runs out. I keep it real close and refill as she gets low. I am sure she loves the grain you give her...just wants MORE of it. They are funny

 

[timbuti]

thanks for asking this question, I keep running into different opinions and I dont know which way to go. The lady we bought our goats from (three nubians, two in milk, one is only 3 mo old) said to feed them 100% alfalfa, and then graze and only give them a cup of grain per goat while milking. Well....the milking thing isnt working with only 1 cup of grain, one gets all crazy and kicking as soon as her grain is gone, and just about fell off the stand today because she was so pissy. so...I started thinking...am I feeding wrong? is it the amount, is it the quality, is it the actual feed itself. Its a sweet feed, made for goats, I get it from the local feed mill....should I give more of a pellet style or ???? any tips would be welcomed. I didnt want to give her more because theres corn in there and I was told that too much corn can cause bloat...I dont want that.

Any tips?

When I need to keep one quiet on the milk stand after she's finished her rich food ration, I top up with maize bran. They love it so it keeps them co-operative, but it's mostly fibre, so doesn't give them digestive trouble.

 

[RockyToggRanch]

I have one that eats faster than I milk as well...I give her BS haystretcher pellets when her grain is gone. Keeps her happy.

 

[warthog]

Thanks for raising that discussion! We I am I can't get goat feed - only sheep stuff with urea in it - but horse feed is on the market. I'll go check the horse feed out and maybe can save myself running to 3 different places chasing the ingredients I need for mixing my own.

I cannot get goat feed here either. I feed mine horse feed and they are doing just fine. They are out browsing all day and get the horse feed morning and evenings according to need. They also have access to hay 24/7, and get treats like watermelon rind, papaya, mango skins most days.

I would always recommend giving animals the feed specifically designed for them, but that is not always possible.

Best of luck