I feed goats chicken food

[michellemire]

I feed my goats chicken food by mistake they where but in the wrong containers will it hurt them they ate it twice

 

[foreverlearning]

Goats are not supposed to eat chicken feed and I don't know the reason why because I don't own goats. *but* I know many people that have both goats and chickens and their goats steal the chicken feed sometimes. All of their goats are perfectly fine and they have been doing this for years. Try not to do it again for whatever danger there is, but you needn't worry about just 2 feedings.

 

[donrae]

If they ate a normal amount they're fine. The main concern I'm aware of is the goats binging on the chicken feed, not that the feed itself is bad for them.

Just curious, couldn't you tell the difference? What are your goats eating that looks similar to chicken feed?

 

[michellemire]

They eat laying pellets that look ever close to what goat food I feed my goats just my goat food is a lil darker I buy all my food from our local feed store

 

[Horsefly]

I think it is the calcium content in the chicken feed that would be harmful to the goats. Especially if you have males/wethers. I wouldn't worry about it to much since it wasn't done long term. Just keep an eye on your males to make sure they are urinating and the increases calcium didn't lead to any sort of urinary crystals and blockage.

 

[chesterthegreat]

Chicken feed can cause stones in goats, in males this can be fatal while in females it isn't as big of a deal but can cause some minor issues depending on the amount of stones she has. Males have a very complex urinary system which usually leads to the stones not being able to pass through the system. The stones usually end up causing a blockage which means urine can't pass through. The biggest issue with stones is that there is no exact cure, there are only things that you can try and are forced to just hope for the best. Cures can include ammonia drenches, lemon juice cocktails, potassium citrate capsules, and surgery, but even surgery isn't even a great cure as surgery only buys time for the animal, it doesn't really fix the problem. It shouldn't be an issue as they only ate it twice, but in the future be extra careful on which food you feed them just to make sure none of your goats fall ill. Stones are a pain, not only for you but for the goat especially. I unfortunately lost one of my boys in the summer because he got into the chicken feed one to many times and he just had to many large stones. My other boy luckily made it through, so there are success stories out there, just not as you many as you'd think.

I know I'm a little late but I thought I would just see if that would help you out any. I had to go through it once and I would hate for anyone else to have to go through that as well!

 

[silkie7777]

Goats get into everything.. argggg

 

[Chickerdoodle13]

I agree that one time shouldn't hurt them! Just keep an eye on them for a few days, especially the boys!

I've had it happen before. Sometimes when I'm rushing I accidentally take the wrong food. Our cans USED to be marked, but the writing has since worn off! Usually I just mix the senior horse food with the regular horse food, so its never a big deal!

 

[Hemera]

Amen to that! One of my goats, Benny, is a crazy fiend for chicken feed. I've had to mend the coop numerous times where he's busted in to get his fix. I liken it to 'Coke for goats' as I've seen how he will butt anything that tries coming close to him when he is feeding on some. I think I worsened the problem by using it against him for whenever I wished to coax him, off, out, down, from where ever he shouldn't be I'd shake a can, similar to the feed one, and he'd come running. For anyone who has goats you'll know the kind of crazy trouble they can get into, hence the saying, 'Acting a Goat'. Don't you go judging me......