Feeding Pygmy Goats

[Chick_a_dee]

We went out to look at some pygmy goats on the island today. We ended up deciding on 1 year old doe who might be pregnant, and a 6 month old doe - both naturally polled. I know to feed them hay, but what else should I be feeding them? ... TSC sells Rolling Acres Goat Ration. I couldn't look in the bag but to me it just felt like sweet feed. Does purina sell a pelleted feed that you know of for goats? How much should they be on daily?

I read something about giving them the red salt blocks and/or red loose mineral, is this true? Should I provide them with anything else?

We have lots of alfalfa pasture right now, is it safe for them to be on this at all? Should I feed them before turning them out on it (when my fences are done!) as to prevent bloat?

What about treats? I want them to trust me, they're "tame" and are used to children but I obviously want them to bond with me even though they are older. What treats can I offer them?

And I know this should probably be elsewhere, but as for worming. I want to worm them when we get them home, I can get the safeguard wormer for horses which I have come to understand is similar if not the same as the safeguard goat wormer (white wormer, paste wormer)? I'm building them a 3 sided shelter to go in the dog run for now until I have all the field fencing up (lucky me, the day we go to look at goats we get a call from Lutes saying the fencing is being delivered today!), I was going to fill it with hay because I don't have access to straw and face it away from the prevailing winds. Should I also hook up some electric around the outside so coyotes or anything can't get near it?

Anything I'm missing?

 

[Chick_a_dee]

Anyone? I KNOW YOU GOAT PEOPLE ARE ON HERE

 

[ametauss]

My TSC has both pellets and sweet mix for goats. I give my pygmies about a half cup of each per goat twice a day plus provide hay which is just cut mixed pasture grass.

I worm with goat wormer I ordered from Jefferies. Although I do have a four sided goat house w/open doorway, my goats prefer to sleep either outside (when it's nice) or in the chicken coop...

I have an open barn that they use when it's raining that they can run around in... I think that makes a big difference..... The housing is under the open barn area and I have lights on 24x7 to keep preditors away.... I recently put two Great Pry. out there to help with 'coons killing my chickens.....

My goats eat all sorts of grass/weeds/leaves.... I have heard of other folks having issues with Alfalfa but I must be lucky....

As for treats.... Cereal is a good one... I have one wether that LOVES french fries.... I have one doe that LOVES the licorice goat treats from TSC....

I provide the red free minerals as well as the block... some will eat the free and others will only use the block....

Good-Luck

 

[Chick_a_dee]

lol.. frenchfries

i intend to leave the big floodlight on that we leave on the dogs at night when we leave them out a bit later. I also have a solar floodlight in the area that is motion sensitive.

i don't have a barn, so i'm trying to make this goatie house closed in enough that they'd feel comfortable going in it when it's raining. at their home right now they have a open air barn and a goat house that is small as well out in the pasture.

 

[CaGoatLady]

I feed Purina Goat Chow to my goats as a treat to get them back into their pen.

 

[taraann81]

I would be careful with sweet feed it can cause urinary calculi and Yes even does get it but its must less common than in wethers. I would be cautious of giving too much fresh alfalfa as they can bloat and die if they are not used too it! Anyways good luck! I love my goats!