Feeding Dairy goats properly is a very important aspect of raising dairy goats. Since it is high in protein, Alfalfa is a good choice for dairy goats if they are producing milk because it promotes excellent milk production. A high quality grass hay is okay for wethers, kids, and dry does (does who are not lactating).
When our kids are very young, and they are in a pen, separated from the rest of the herd, they need to be fed on high quality grass hay. Feed the kids once a day with one cup of concentrate (grain). Wethers can have one cup of concentrate, but it is not necessary to give them any at all. Wethers should not be fed alfalfa as it causes urinary calculi (kidney stones).
When the Does freshen (begin producing milk after they have their kids), feed them 6 cups of grain at each milking. After one year or so, their milk starts decreasing, and sometimes their intake of grain lessens as well, so feed them as much as they want up to 6 cups at each milking.
A pregnant dry Doe needs to be fed one pound of concentrate each day. At 16 weeks into her pregnancy, start slowly increasing her grain until it reaches 3 lbs. per day by the due date.
Goats love it when given treats from the garden such as collard greens, kale, comfrey and sunflower leaves. Make sure no to give them too much at a time since too much could upset the rumen. However, it is okay to be generous with blackberry leaves since these are great for them.
Goats can feed on chunks of pumpkin from the garden, but we make sure not to cut the pieces too large or they could choke on them. Apples and pears are also good for goats. However, too many apples given to a lactating Doe could make her dry up. It’s okay to feed them the leaves of corn, but don’t feed them the stalks.
Never feed Ponderosa pines needles to a pregnant goat since they can cause abortions.
Contact Jaguza Support