Hi! I love our two little Nigerian doelings! They are SO much fun... so sweet, so loving. They climb in my lap and give kisses. You will love them! Don't worry about copper in any of the minerals or feed you give them. The previous poster was right--it is sheep who can't tolerate high levels of copper. As a matter of fact, I have to supplement my goats, because they live with our sheep, so I have to use sheep minerals (safe for everyone). Selenium is a big issue too--most areas of the country are severely deficient, so you have to be sure they are getting a supplement of some sort. Obviously, high levels can be toxic, but as long as you stay sensible, they'll be fine.
Too much grain will make them fat--or worse--bloat (bloat can be very dangerous). Really, what is ideal for goats is brush and "browse" (young trees and bushes). But that is hard to accommodate for most people. And you have to know which ones are toxic (mountain laurel, cherry tree family, azaleas, and yew are just some of the most toxic). Pine trees, poplar, and oak (you will read that oak is toxic, but it isn't true. It would take very high levels to become toxic--the tannins are actually good dewormers. My sheep and goats all love acorns and oak leaves and pig out on them without harm). Maple leaves are also good. Camellias are also good and gardenias, magnolias are fine, too. I've heard juniper is good, but mine won't eat it. Of course, they love raspberry and blackberry bushes, rose bushes, kudzu and poison ivy and sweet potato vine! Some say English ivies are poisonous, others say they can eat it just fine.
They won't bloat on hay. Sheep have problems with too much fresh fescue pasture, but fescue hay is fine. I've heard that bermuda pasture will not cause foundering (bloat). Not sure if it's true. Bermuda hay is fine. Timothy hay is great. Too much alfalfa hay is bad, though, because it is too much protein (will make them fat). Though, they can tolerate higher alfalfa than the sheep can. Some alfalfa is very good for them, though. I give our six (4 sheep and 2 goats) a half a flake of alfalfa hay twice a day and all the timothy/grass hay they want. The best hay is an orchard mix, but it is hard to find.
I give grain as a treat, or, maybe 1-3 times a week. They each get a handful or so. I also sometimes give them pumpkins (one pumpkin cut up into pieces for all of them), grapes, strawberries, turnip greens, kale, etc. They also love brazil nuts (great source of selenium). One brazil nut provides most of the selenium they need! But nuts are high protein, so I don't know how much they should have in a day. I give them only 1 or 2! I also give carrots, apples, berries, but surprisingly, they don't always like them! I feel a varied diet is the best.
The most important thing to start off with is knowing what they are used to and mimic it. Any changes should be made gradually... if you want them to eat pasture/browse, but they're used to only hay, let them eat hay in the early part of the day, then introduce the new diet the last part of the day. They can't "overdo" it that way. It usually takes about ten days (I've read) to get them used to new diet/pasture. If you notice diarrhea ("scours"), then cut back. If it seems severe, or they are blowing up like a balloon or frothing at the mouth, it is dangerous!! This is bloat, or also called frothy bloat. People give give different things for this, from mineral or vegetable oil, pepto bismal, ginger, or something you can buy called Bloat Release. Also, massage the rumen (the left side) and belly to get things "moving." The mineral/vegetable oil helps "kill" the foam, and also lubricates the stomach lining.
"Probiotics" are also given for this, and to help with diet change and when medicating them... they are simply "good" bacteria, much like yoghurt is for us. Helps the good bacteria do its job in the digestive tract. They can be purchased online or at most feedstores,
TSC, etc. Sometimes you have to go to the Horse section for them.
Goats can lick mineral blocks, but some people report that they try to bite it and can actually break their teeth. Mine have mineral blocks, though, and they're fine. If you can do loose minerals, you'll probably be best off, though. Hoegger's goat supply is a great place to buy stuff online. Their website isn't the best organized, but their stuff is great.
Worms are a big issue... you will read lots and lots of different stuff on the web. My conclusion is that no one really knows for sure what will work 100% of the time! You will have to just keep trying. I guess the good news is that people are doing lots of different things, so that says to me that, though something not be working very well, and I have to try something else, at least it isn't going to be dangerous! That was always my big fear.
Good luck and have fun!!!
Lynn
