New to goats... Please help

[Bobbiw2]

Hello
I am new to goats. I purchased two mini alpine /Nigerian dwarf goats three weeks ago. I thought that I had read enough to handle them properly, but immediately had some emergency issues. One of the goats had an issue with urinary calculi and both goats had cocci, hookworms, pinworms, and tapeworms. I nearly lost one of them before I found a good vet that is familiar with goats.

I now realize that "book learning" is not as good as advice from experienced goat owners.

I would like advice on feeding and dietary needs. I have read so many different things that I am thoroughly confused. Is alfalfa good or bad? Are pellets good? If so, what kind/brand? What about pellets with whole grain mixed in.

I guess that you could say that I am gun shy because I was criticized for posting (and following) the vets advice on another group. I know that there are many different ways of doing things, so I would like to learn what works best for you.

Thanks for your time and consideration.
Bobbi

 

[Stacykins]

Hello
I am new to goats. I purchased two mini alpine /Nigerian dwarf goats three weeks ago. I thought that I had read enough to handle them properly, but immediately had some emergency issues. One of the goats had an issue with urinary calculi and both goats had cocci, hookworms, pinworms, and tapeworms. I nearly lost one of them before I found a good vet that is familiar with goats.

I now realize that "book learning" is not as good as advice from experienced goat owners.

I would like advice on feeding and dietary needs. I have read so many different things that I am thoroughly confused. Is alfalfa good or bad? Are pellets good? If so, what kind/brand? What about pellets with whole grain mixed in.

I guess that you could say that I am gun shy because I was criticized for posting (and following) the vets advice on another group. I know that there are many different ways of doing things, so I would like to learn what works best for you.

Thanks for your time and consideration.
Bobbi

Following the advise of a competent livestock veterinarian is the best thing you can do in the event of illness. So I am not sure why you were flamed for that, since what a vet has to say is usually the best! Certainly everyone (including different vets) have methods to lead to optimal health. But at least you did consult a vet, most people don't go that far, even when there is a severe problem. I am glad you kiddos are improving.

Alfalfa is good. One must understand that alfalfa is very high in calcium. A goat's diet should have a balanced calciumhosphorus ratio (2 parts calcium to one part phosphorus, written 2:1). Too much calcium is bad, and too much phosphorus is bad. So people demonize alfalfa because they don't know any better. For a lactating doe, is a great source of protein and calcium for milk production. Growing goats need calories, too!

Pellets and/or grain is good if fed properly. The rule of thumb though, is that goats that are growing (less than a year old), pregnant, lactating, or in rut really don't need supplemented with grain. Cereal grains (what goes into pellets and whatnot) is high in phosphorus. So again, people demonize it when they're not using it properly. Allow a goat to gorge itself, it'll get bloat, or become overweight over time, or gets urinary stones.

What are you offering for a mineral? A goat mineral should be offered free choice. And it is best in loose form, rather than block. That is because a block is mostly table salt and very little trace mineral. The table salt is what holds the block together. To get the right amount of those trace minerals, a goat would need to eat a lot of that block, but there is a problem: table salt is a limiter. Their bodies tell them they've had enough, even though they truly haven't gotten enough copper, selenium, zinc, etc. to be healthy. A loose mineral has a lot more of those trace minerals and very little table salt. It is fed in a dish or pan that is kept out of the weather and in a place that cannot be soiled, and it is refreshed as they lick it up. I attach mine to the wall of their living area, and only leave a bit out at a time because they love it best when it is fresh.

Any dietary changes need to happen slowly. That is the key. A bite of grain to start out for a few days. Increase it to the amount you think they should eat slowly. They actually have a rather sensitive digestive system, so they can run into trouble with abrupt changes.

 

[Bobbiw2]

Thank you Stacykins for the input. I really appreciate the information.

I am providing loose minerals, baking soda, and salt free choice to my boys. That is the one thing that I am not hesitant to do because everyone seems to agree on that!

Thanks again, and may you have a blessed day!
Bobbi