What to feed Nigerian dwarf goat

[Deerslayer901]

hi I just reverently bought a 3 month old Nigerian dwarf goat. What should I feed an how often?

 

[Deerslayer901]

Recently*

 

[MeepBeep]

Did you (or can you) inquire about what it was eating previous? Goats can handle a lot of different foods and diets, but it's best to not suddenly change their foods up...

For example, you don't want to take a hay fed goat and suddenly give it copious amounts of grains as it could cause bloat...

On the other hand a primarily grain fed goat probably isn't going to take to kindly to only being offered hay, and might start losing weight...

Beyond that what you feed goats is really a loaded question... You will find some very strong lines drawn, topped with lots of hyperbole and unsubstantiated "That will kill them!" comments... Take it all with a big grain of sand...

 

[H Diamond]

Do you only have the one goat? If so, you really need to get it a friend. Goats are herd animals and will not be happy by itself.

As for your original question, if you can't find out what your goat's diet was before, a good quality hay (alfalfa or nice grass or a mix is great) is the way to go. At 3 months old, I would also slowly introduce a creep feed of some sort also. Working up to letting it have the pellets free choice. Clean fresh water, a good loose goat mineral, and a warm place to sleep are other necessities.
I would also suggest you use some sort of cocci prevention, and vaccinate with a CD&T shot now and again in 4 weeks (2ml subq each dose)

 

[Deerslayer901]

She is a fat one! I gave her hay Today before school and After I'm going to get some good grain. Would it be smart to buy another doe or can I keep a buck and doe together

 

[H Diamond]

You need either another doe or a wether (castrated male). Keeping a buck and doe together all the time is a recipe for disaster. He will breed her too early and too frequently. Not to mention he might cause her to abort her kids by being... overzealous.

 

[Deerslayer901]

I'll look for another doe!

 

[H Diamond]

Oh what a shame, you have to get another goat... lol! Good luck Just make sure you look for one from a healthy herd. You don't want to accidentally bring home a yucky goat disease,

 

[Deerslayer901]

Oh I know... What a shame. I might try to buy this goats momma. She's pregnant too

 

[Deerslayer901]

It's official. I have purchased my second Nigerian dwarf goat

This is a picture of the one I currently have in her momentary pen