Choosing the Right Goat Feed

Choose the right goat feed with the help of Blain’s Farm & Fleet.

Goats are browsers. They like to eat small trees, plants, shrubs, twigs, and plants. While they enjoy these natural food sources out in the pasture, goats also need a quality feed as part of their diet. With the help of Blain’s Farm & Fleet, you can find the right goat feed for your goats. Of course, we always recommend working with your local veterinarian to determine the best diet for your goats.

A Goat’s Nutritional Needs

Knowing the nutritional needs of your goats is key to providing them with a well-rounded diet. First, goats need water. Your goats should always have access to plenty of clean, quality water. This is especially important for lactating does.

Goats need protein to help with disease resistance, milk production, reproduction, and their growth rate. While goats can get plenty of calcium from foraging in the pasture, their diet can lack salt and phosphorus. With a mineral salt block, your goat can easily get the vitamins and minerals they need.

Roughage

Hay & Alfalfa – During the non-grazing season, goats can use hay as their main source of nutrients. If your goats can’t browse, hay can be used all the time. Goats can get some protein and energy from grass hay. Clover and alfalfa–legume hays–have more calcium, protein, and vitamins than grass hay.

Types of Goat Feed

Goat feed can be broken down into two types: textured feed and pelleted feed. Textured feed is a mixture of different grains and is molasses-based. Pelleted feed is uniform in size, and is made into small pellets with a binding agent. With the uniform size, nutrition is evenly dispersed in the feed. Both types of feed can also add essential vitamins and minerals to your goat’s diet.

Goat Supplements

Goats can also be given supplements. Goat electrolytes help with hydration and fluid balance in scouring goats. Instead of a mineral block, goats can also be given a mineral and vitamin supplement. It helps with growth, reproduction, and show appearance.

Keeping goats is a fun and relatively inexpensive part of hobby farming. To learn more about caring for your goats, read through our Beginner’s Guide to Goat Farming. At Blain’s Farm & Fleet, you’ll find everything you need for your goats. From goat fencing to general livestock supplies, your animal experts have you covered. For more tips on caring for your farm animals, visit our Hobby Farming blog.