Goat feeding questions

[oldhenlikesdogs]

Good morning back. You can keep them on milk replacer longer if you want to, I've fed some into three months, a mom goat will nurse for 4-8 months or sometimes longer, just not so much, so work at cutting them down a bit to encourage eating of hay. I have used the sweet feed too. They aren't initially fond of it but later will scream for it. So lower your milk until you see them chewing on stuff. I would feed 12-18 ounces twice a day at the most. It will get loud so don't cave to guilt, they are good at getting what they want. When they are eating hay their poop will turn to goat pellets instead of the baby poops.

 

[Lillyk24]

Good Afternoon now

I am happy to see that they were eating some food today, I cut back on the bottles a bit just started yesterday, but it seems to help a bit in eating solid food. They still cry and try to eat/suck on your fingers but I am trying to ignore that. Today was rough, I took my youngest one to the vet and had him neutered. The older one by a few days was banded when I got him and again bad lady, he was a few days old when she did that. I wanted to rip the bands off but the vet said no you cant...URRRGGG...but once he came home he started eating and eating the chicken food, which is this OK? Its just regular chicken crumbles. Sorry for all the questions, but you know a lot about goats

And your goats are so cute I wish to get more later when they are a bit older, but no more babies...

Have a great day

Jen

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

Chicken food can be bad, so try not to let them eat too much, mine occasionally get out and get some but they can quickly eat too much. I don't think a handful here and there will cause any troubles, they do seem to like the taste of it. A ration made for growing goats is the best.

We will usually band ours at 8 weeks, they are strong and healthy and can take the stress of it. It's not enjoyable to watch but it needs to be done.

Male goats can have troubles with bladder stones, I personally have never had any with them. I think the key is to not feed alfalfa, a good grass mixed hay, second or third cutting is best for goats. Also limit grain, especially as adults. I feed none most of the year, during winter I feed a bit of sweet feed mixed with cracked corn. Goats take two years to fully grow. I will feed a small amount of either sweet feed or a goat ration for the first year. A handful twice a day.

I like getting them as babies, they think I'm their mom and are more interactive that ones others have raised. They will try to suckle constantly, that's just what they do. That's because the mom will only allow nursing occasionally and only for a short time, so they are always ready to nurse. They will eventually grow out of it, but even my adult goats like it when I put my hand around their mouths like when they nursed, they close their eyes and freeze, it's funny. You might change your mind later about raising kids again, once you figure it out it's easy and fun.