GOAT CARE NOTES
Here are some recommendations from us to help you care for your new kids.
FEED: We use and recommend Southern States Kid & Goat 17% feed for our does and kids (pictured below). You can look on the bag for the recommended amount to feed each goat, but what we find we are giving each young kid goat about 2cups twice a day. Natural vegetation should provide the bulk of their diet. It is always good to have hay available to them. Our does in milk get to eat as much as they wan, as long as they are on the milk stand, to make sure the get the nutrition needed for milk production.
The boy goats require ammonium chloride in their feed to protect them against urinary calculi. We recommended the Dumore goat feed with ammonium chloride to meet this need and protect your goats, but it seems this is no longer available so we recommend Manna Pro Goat Minerals shown below. The feed or minerals with ammonium chloride can be fed to both the boys and the girls.
We also recommend giving them a Dumore goat feed mineral block on a regular basis. I have a picture of this block below for your convenience. This provides extra copper which is needed by the goats. Be aware and that this extra copper will kill sheep.
NATURAL FORAGE FEED:
Domestic Goats should have continuous access to some type of hay. It does not have to be the high-quality hay, but they need to have access to it to ensure they’re getting enough roughage through their system. Other than that they enjoy leaves and other foliage and it is very good for their system. Be aware that some plants are poisonous to goats and so we refer you to the Web site https://fiascofarm.com/goats/poisonousplants.htm as a good reference as to what plants are poisonous. This is also a great reference web site for raising goats. https://fiascofarm.com/goats.htm
MINERALS: We have a small feeder with three compartment available to the goats at all times. We put the following in it:
1. Manna Pro Goat Minerals in the orange bag has a very good balance for goats and is very necessary for wethers.
2. Goats also need salt, but a salt block will not do. Get regular iodized table salt and keep it available at all times.
3. Goats also need Baking Soda to help then settle and adjust the ph in their stomachs. Just regular Arm & Hammer or any off brand will do.
WATER: have a constant supply of clean fresh water available.
SHELTER: They need a dry place out of the weather (drafts and rain). This does not need to be heated in the winter.
FENCING: Goats need to be fenced in to keep them from wandering off and for their protection from predators. The fence needs to be at least four foot tall.
PEST CONTROL: Little bugs and flies sometimes bother the goats and cause them to be uncomfortable. A light dusting of Diatomaceous Earth DTE will give them relief from these bugs and make them a more happy animal for you.
ODOR CONTROL: A light dusting of powdered lime on all of those floor surfaces that the goats come in contact with will help alleviate much of the odor. This also protects against little bugs that want to grow in the wet environment and droppings.
Feel free to contact us for any questions!
Here are some recommendations from us to help you care for your new kids.
FEED: We use and recommend Southern States Kid & Goat 17% feed for our does and kids (pictured below). You can look on the bag for the recommended amount to feed each goat, but what we find we are giving each young kid goat about 2cups twice a day. Natural vegetation should provide the bulk of their diet. It is always good to have hay available to them. Our does in milk get to eat as much as they wan, as long as they are on the milk stand, to make sure the get the nutrition needed for milk production.
The boy goats require ammonium chloride in their feed to protect them against urinary calculi. We recommended the Dumore goat feed with ammonium chloride to meet this need and protect your goats, but it seems this is no longer available so we recommend Manna Pro Goat Minerals shown below. The feed or minerals with ammonium chloride can be fed to both the boys and the girls.
We also recommend giving them a Dumore goat feed mineral block on a regular basis. I have a picture of this block below for your convenience. This provides extra copper which is needed by the goats. Be aware and that this extra copper will kill sheep.
NATURAL FORAGE FEED:
Domestic Goats should have continuous access to some type of hay. It does not have to be the high-quality hay, but they need to have access to it to ensure they’re getting enough roughage through their system. Other than that they enjoy leaves and other foliage and it is very good for their system. Be aware that some plants are poisonous to goats and so we refer you to the Web site https://fiascofarm.com/goats/poisonousplants.htm as a good reference as to what plants are poisonous. This is also a great reference web site for raising goats. https://fiascofarm.com/goats.htm
MINERALS: We have a small feeder with three compartment available to the goats at all times. We put the following in it:
1. Manna Pro Goat Minerals in the orange bag has a very good balance for goats and is very necessary for wethers.
2. Goats also need salt, but a salt block will not do. Get regular iodized table salt and keep it available at all times.
3. Goats also need Baking Soda to help then settle and adjust the ph in their stomachs. Just regular Arm & Hammer or any off brand will do.
WATER: have a constant supply of clean fresh water available.
SHELTER: They need a dry place out of the weather (drafts and rain). This does not need to be heated in the winter.
FENCING: Goats need to be fenced in to keep them from wandering off and for their protection from predators. The fence needs to be at least four foot tall.
PEST CONTROL: Little bugs and flies sometimes bother the goats and cause them to be uncomfortable. A light dusting of Diatomaceous Earth DTE will give them relief from these bugs and make them a more happy animal for you.
ODOR CONTROL: A light dusting of powdered lime on all of those floor surfaces that the goats come in contact with will help alleviate much of the odor. This also protects against little bugs that want to grow in the wet environment and droppings.
Feel free to contact us for any questions!
HOW TO TRIM GOAT HOOVES
Here is a link to fiasco farms for information on trimming goat hooves.
https://www.fiascofarm.com/goats/hoof-trim-rf.htm
Here is a link to a video that explains how to trim Goats hooves. https://youtu.be/v1YYXjPdJ9I