Can goats have chicken scratch

[NewHobbyForMe]

My neighbor just got a goat and wanted to know if he can give chicken scratch. It is just mashed up corn and milo

thank you

 

[NewHopePoultry]

They can eat it. I know several people feed it to them when they wont eat anything else.
Corn is basically safe for goats in small amounts,but it shouldnt be fed in large amounts or every day

 

[ksalvagno]

He really should be given a goat feed. Goats need extra copper and possibly selenium if you are in a selenium deficient area. The goat feed has the proper stuff in it and the goat should also get a proper goat mineral. While a little chicken scratch won't hurt, it really shouldn't be given on a daily basis.

 

[txchickie]

I don't think it would hurt anything? It's probably not enough to sustain them entirely, but I doubt it would kill them if he fed it once or twice.

We're sure not fancy with our goat feed. I buy them cheap 12% sweet feed and they have grass all spring/summer/fall and also have a big round bale of coastal hay. That's it.

 

[cmjust0]

Quote:
The short answer is no.

Corn is hard on a goat, as it can lead to ruminal acidosis and other pH imbalances.. A goat with a pH imbalance is primed for certain bacterial blooms in the gut, which can kill a goat in no time flat. Not to mention, corn contains waaaaaay too much phosphorus and not enough calcium to be safe for a goat. The Ca ratio on corn is like 1:6, whereas what's considered safe for a goat 2:1 or even 2.5:1. Too much phosphorus can and will lead to urinary calculi in young bucks and wethers. Not to mention, chicken scratch doesn't contain all the vitamins and minerals a goat requires.

If your neighbor's going to feed chicken scratch, better accompany it with free choice straight alfalfa and a really good, high quality free choice loose mineral labeled for goats.

FWIW, I knew a lady who thought she was "spoiling" her goats by feeding them corn (even though it's $9/bag, and we can get goat grain for $7.50/bag at a local feedmill) and said she hadn't had any problems at all. I warned her of the danger, but I think she was just kinda like...phffft.

Suit yerself, right?

Well, the next time I talked to her, she'd lost several to scours. I tried to help her with that, too, but she still didn't really seem to get it. At last we spoke, I think she said she'd had seven to die and was pretty much done with goats.

 

[Boer goats]

Hi, I have two wethered Boer goats, Slick & Willie, I've had them for over a year. I started out with 70% Nutrena pellets, 50% Timothy pellets, and 10% chicken scratch that I mixed. I feed them once in the morning and once in the evening. During the day they have plenty to browse as I have 35 acres. I also give them mineral salt and horse grade hay. When they turned 8 months old, I stopped chicken scratch and added 1/2 of cup each of whole corn twice a day. They are now 16 months old, and the people I bought them from stopped by to see how well they were doing. They were amazed how shiny their coats are and we're proud of how healthy they are. So there is a healthy mix with whole corn. They also get fresh fruits and vegetables in moderation. I am getting two more Boer kids, a buck and doe in a few weeks. Looking forward to the new additions.