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You may heard before someone says that goats can eat anything?
This is incorrect and you will know why after reading this article.Raising goats need some knowledgs about what do goats really like to eat ? and what you should feed them?
Let’s talk a little bit about goats. Goat breeders raise goats in order to make profit , either by selling them or consuming their delicious milk.
In order for goats to produce meat and milk, they will need to provide them with good foods rich in nutrients that will help them grow and produce milk in abundance.
So what do goats like to eat and what are the basics that you should learn about feeding goats?
In our beginning of raising goats , we had no idea about what should we feed our goats , what do the baby goats eat . but we had to make some researches , we asked our neighbours who had experience in raising goats .
So , this is a list of the best and favorite food for goats
Favorite food for goats
Hay is the main source of nutrients for goats, it’s easy to digest and rich in proteins, fibers and minerals. Calories in Hay are low , this is why goats eat a lot of it .
In addition, it is one of the best sources of calcium that helps young goats to grow well and meet all their needs.
Each goat needs about 2 to 4 pounds of straw per day, which can be divided into two or three meals
Grain
Cereal mixture is very rich in protein, vitamins and minerals,but we dont give it as a principale food.
we only feed them in grain if the weather is bad .
They should not be given excessively grains because it can made them fat, its may cause illness and even death.
It is best to consult with an animal nutritionist to give you the amount needed for you goats and when to feed them to the grain
Fruits and vegetables
Goats likes fresh and delecious food , Fruits and vegetables are the best foods that you can give to your goats .
But you You must be careful because Goats only have a few teeth, it will be difficult for them to eat large chunks of vegetables and fruits. It would be good to cut them into small cubes.
Here is a list of some fruits and vegetables that you should not feed to goats :
- Bracken
- Buttercup (in large quantities)
- foxglove
- Hemlock
- Ivy
- Nonwoven
- The fruit of the oak tree
- Ragwort – If you have any growth on your land, choose it from the root to prevent growth and spread
- rhubarb
- Yew
- Tomato plant
- Normal Person
- potato
Chafai
A mixture of early alfalfa slices or grass and molasses, straw is fermented in a bowl in order to produce beneficial bacteria for goat rumen.
Feeding Chafai to goats lies as an alternative to hay
Minerals
Minerals are necessary for goats because they are considered a supplement rather than a staple food.
Goats do not eat minerals much, but it is better to provide them with essentials
Check your local feed store for minerals specifically designed for goats. It is important that the mineral is for goats and not for sheep, because sheep’s mineral will not contain the copper that goats need.
Supplements
Supplements are only necessary for underweight or older goats, and healthy goats do not need them. Here are some supplements that we use
Baking soda:
Baking soda is actually a free option that you can feed your goats and nor nececary . It protect goat from diseases .
Sun flower oil:
Its the best source of vitamin E, zinc, and iron, you can add a handful of it to the goats principale food every day.
kelp:
Kelp is full of vitamins and minerals. It is very good for increasing milk production in The period of childbirth , helping with weight gain,
supporting the immune system and increasing meat quality.
Water
Of course, the goats will need fresh, clean water. There are custom water carriers that you can buy from any animal products store, or you can make them yourself from wood.
You may need a water heater because water can Freeze in winter.
What do not feed goats?
Of course, just like any animal, there are things that should not be given to your goats.
Goats are herbivores, so meat should not be fed for any reason, its stomach does not adapt to the digestion of meat and may cause many problems that can disrupt goat rumen and make it very sick.
- Avoid feeding poisonous plants, such as:
- Rhododendron
- Azalea
- Lantana
- Laurel
- Wild Wild Sherry
- Oleander
- More
Non-food items
You may like to give your goats a little of Chocolate and corn flakes as a gift. Of course, they will take it from you because they love to explore while these substances are very harmful and it is best to avoid them.
Moldy straw
If you suspect that the straw is rotting, it is best to get rid of it. Moldy straw feeding can cause diseases such as listeriosis, goat paralysis, or even death. So be careful.
Those are the most informations about food that you need to know in raising goats
If you have any question feel free to ask it