Baby goats

[KJ6485]

@oldhenlikesdogs

Hello I just got two 7 week old goats , they are both boys. I have never kept goats before , and need extensive diet advice, since I cant seem to find any while doing research. Plenty of I for on housing, fencing, etc, but not anything specific on diet. They currently get 2 bottles a day, going to 1 a day this weekend. They also have Timothy hay available to them, and free range to graze. I know Male goats have a tendency to block with certain things, so I would like to be confident that I am doing what is right for them. I had offered them sweet feed, but they wont even look at it. They also have not been castrated, I will be doing that the 2nd week of may, after my vacation so I will be home to keep an eye on them.

Thanks a lot!

 

[EggSighted4Life]

Once they are off bottle, and wethered... grass hay is good (is that what timothy is?) as alfalfa has too much calcium and can cause urinary calculi build up. And free choice goat minerals are required, loose is preferred. I also offered free choice baking soda to prevent the urinary caculi said to be an issue with wethers. They accessed it as they wanted to... sometimes are more than others.

My male goats... NEVER got grain. They don't need it is my understanding and it can cause them to be over weight and become spoiled and less interested browsing. Goat don't graze grass, mostly. They browse brush. But my boys did enjoy eating the dandelion flowers as they popped up.

There was not really much info when I was looking onto feeding wethered goats, as you have experienced. But this is what I can confidently share with you as being good information from an over thinking, information obsessed, perfectionist.

My two favorite websites for goat information..
http://fiascofarm.com/

http://tennesseemeatgoats.com/

You might find some information on the sister site backyard herds.

Hope this is helpful.

Congrats on your new additions!

 

[cassie]

Your growing kids will probably need some grain until they are about six months old to grow properly. Be sure you vaccinate them for tetanus and entertoxemia. You can get a vial of CD/T at the feed store or livestock supply and that will take care of it. One of the most important things you can do to prevent the formation of urinary calculi is to make sure they have access to plenty of clean fresh water at all times.

 

[FluffTheDuck]

I have heard if you have horses the goats and horses are the best compainions for each other.

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

I do offer growing wether kids a handful or so of sweet feed as I'm weaning them. I will continue to offer just a bit, but am always cautious and stop with grains all together after about 6-8 months.

As you when you want to encourage them to eat roughage to develop a good rumen. I will offer hay and also pick some grass.

My adult wethers get no grain. It can cause urinary stones. I only feed a mixed grass hay, and pasture.

I also feed tree branches as I have them available. Mostly willow, box elder, spruce, and fruit tree trimmings.

I also have free choice a good loose goat mineral and baking soda. Both are consumed as necessary. Mine eat more minerals in winter on hay and more baking soda when on pasture during the warm months.

If you are gonna put them on pasture you will need a larger area or rotate areas to prevent an overload of worms. Goats will leave about 6-8 inches of grass, and do not graze down to the ground like sheep do.

Your kids are adorable, both goats, and human.

 

[Shorty22366]

I am getting two female 3 month old kids tomorrow. What is the difference in the feed for them

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

I am getting two female 3 month old kids tomorrow. What is the difference in the feed for them

They should get hay or grass, and a handful of a goat ration. Are they for milking or just pets? What breeds?

 

[cassie]

The difference is what you plan to do with them. If they are to be pets, feed them the same as the wethers. If you are planning on raising them for milk goats, feeding should be a little different.

 

[Shorty22366]

They should get hay or grass, and a handful of a goat ration. Are they for milking or just pets? What breeds?

Just pets. I have them alfalfa hay, grass and goat feed. They will be able to forage also.

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

Just pets. I have them alfalfa hay, grass and goat feed. They will be able to forage also.

They will also need a good loose goat mineral, and baking soda free choice. As they mature I would cut out, or cut down the ration. You want them filled out but not fat. Most goats take 2-3 years to fully mature and fill out.