formulating my own diets - where to start?

Mrs. Jo · #41 10/31/07, 04:03 PM

Some ideas for you. You can get your own local hay tested to check for it's nutrient composition and in in particular you would want to know it's calcium to phosphorus ratio and it's protein content. Do the same with the imported hay you are buying. These are not cheap tests but will save time and energy spent in guessing.

That being said, it's best to build your ration on forages rather than grains. Forages are hays, BOSS, beet pulp, alfalfa pellets. That would also include pasture and brush.

Once you know what your forages offer in terms of nutrients then you can give them what they need in terms of minerals and supplements. Do you have sustainable farming groups, in particular those that work with dairies, near you? If you do then make contact with them. They can advice you how to work with the local forages and what supplements are needed in your area.

If you have excellent, milk making genetics in your ND's then you will want to make sure that they are getting what they need out of their diet. Milk fever and tiny weak kids, will plague you other wise. I would pay close attention to what that breeder is doing and try to copy what you can.

As much as you can you should work with someone who can test your forrages and help you to balance your rations out. Maybe the extension service in your area could provide you with information. This is obviously just general advice, but I like your way of thinking. Keep going; you'll figure it out.

hoofinitnorth · #42 10/31/07, 07:17 PM

Yes, I have hay analyses (one on alfie is pending but I know a couple of the key numbers already), thanks. Yes, already talked about building diet on forages, that's why I mentioned that I have 3 hays available.

Thanks and I can't wait to get my books!!!

smwon · #43 10/31/07, 08:57 PM

Jo... I plan on feeding alfalfa pellets mostly and the grain mix will be eaten during milking. So I was just wondering about the mix and whether it should be from digetable or total protein. I understand that the basic is from forages. But the milking goats cannot subside on strictly Alfalfa correct?

There are a few things to consider as was mentioned in the above post... there is a vast difference in the amount of nutrients in the different areas or even in what kind of farming practices was used to grow the feed. But another thing is to consider that the amount of nutrients given in the book was from 1947 and the composition has changed quite a bit from that time till now. However, it DOES give us a basis to start with. I won't be having my feed tested... it will have to be a guessing game and plain ol' common sense.

Mrs. Jo · #44 11/01/07, 12:35 PM

I do not know what kind of protein you should be taking into account when you are planning that kind of diet for your goats. Your pellets should have the nutrition information on the bag. Perhaps someone else can chime in on this?

In any case, it think your diet for your goats is going to be different than what someone is going to be using in Alaska, which is very cold and dark for most of the year. That's why you have to get local folks to help you out.

I'm going to put up some forge reports and maybe someone can comment on what they are. I'd be interested in going over what is important on a forage report.

hoofinitnorth · #45 11/03/07, 07:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jo@ LaudoDeumFa

In any case, it think your diet for your goats is going to be different than what someone is going to be using in Alaska, which is very cold and dark for most of the year. That's why you have to get local folks to help you out.

Hehehehe - yes, some areas here are darker and colder than other areas in the US. This area tends to be similar to North Dakota but a bit more mild in the winters. Except for the time or two that we get REALLY nasty cold (-35F NOT including wind chill) and WIND. Blech! Darkness, now we're under 12 hours daylight but we'll be gaining again soon - in 7 weeks or so...

Filas are Prima · #46 11/04/07, 07:05 AM

Thats right, Hoofinitnorth, the darkness will need more vitamin D! I am from the SouthWest, and now up here by the Canadian border. The dark and gloom of grey skies for at least 6 weeks every winter is a real trial! I surround myself with color, but that doesn't help the animals. When we have a rare break of sunshine, I get all the little puppies, if I have any, out to bask in it as long as it lasts.
On the Feeds and Feeding book, I'm glad to read so many of you have searched it out and bought it. I figure-read the milk cows for translating for milk goats, as milk is the production goal of both, keeping in mind the mineral differences.

vicb66 · #47 11/04/07, 03:33 PM

My goats do not have access to pasture this time of year.They are on a lime lot.I live in central illinois.I have access to alfalfa pellets,beet pulp,sunflower seeds and oats.
All of my Alpine does are bred. I have access to alfalfa hay but it is sporadic and they seem to waste a lot.Anyone have any suggestions on rations and when I should start adding grain?

Vicki McGaugh TX Nubians · #48 11/05/07, 12:31 AM

If dry they should be getting everything they need from your minerals, alfalfa pellets and some grass hay or good browse...sorry I don't know what a lime lot is. Once the first doe is 100 days pregnant I would start slowly introducing the oats and beet pulp and BOSS, the alfalfa pellets, minerals and grass hay/browse will be a constant...until they are eating about 1 pound as they kid. Slowly increasing that as you milk them or they nurse kids for the amount of milk they make and the kind of condition you want to keep them in. Vicki

vicb66 · #49 11/05/07, 07:04 AM

Thank you so much for your input.I'm bothered by the amount of waste my girls create from the grass hay.They eat about 1/4 and waste the rest.I'm considering just putting on my carharts and take them out for some grazing.The lot they are on is packed lime.This means it's totally dry.No grazing and no mud.
I'm wondering if I can totally do away with the hay.I do have access to alfalfa hay reasonably priced.But it's one more headache trying to store it and feed it.

The breeder that I got my girls from feeds alfalfa and sweet feed.She has her girls appraised and consistently gets high marks.
But she is about 200 miles east of me and she has access to different hay and pasture than I do so I'm on my own.

All of you keep up the suggestions. I'm thrilled with the information you all supply.

Thanks.

Vicki McGaugh TX Nubians · #50 11/05/07, 12:31 PM

Feeding really good alfalfa hay to your diary goats is key...after that you can feed any grain. When you can't keep alfalfa hay, or are paying $25 a 125 pound bale that really only weighs 90...or your keeping quality is poor, than alfalfa pellets is hay. Grain becomes secondary, and why I can feed just oats. It puts a wrench in your dairy goat management when you try to build a ration around grass hay. For me grass hay and the browse my girls gets are just roughage, certainly not counted as calcium, protein, carbs or fat. Vicki

Trisha-MN · #51 11/05/07, 03:21 PM

Wow - what an interesting thread. I don' t claim to know beans about nutrition so I'm staying out of that discussion but I just wanted to state that feeding milking NDs and full sized diary goats (at least in our herd) is apples to oranges. Just something to think about.

Trisha

Mrs. Jo · #52 11/05/07, 06:27 PM

Trisha, can you tell us about some of the differences you have seen?

smwon · #53 01/27/08, 01:48 PM

I think this thread has been good! Very informative.

YuccaFlatsRanch · #54 01/27/08, 02:38 PM

Start with the book "Feeds and Feeding" by Morrison. It gives you the necessary information per foodstuff that you need to know to balance the ration.

FD2N4P · #55 01/27/08, 04:04 PM

great to see ms viki back posting..sue

lonelyfarmgirl · #56 01/27/08, 09:17 PM

I notice noone has said anything about growing other foods, such as winter squash or mangels.
everything Ive read says mangels are top notch for dairy cows as a winter feed. I realize cows arent goats, but still. would these be a grain subsitute, a hay subsitute, none of the above?

smwon · #57 01/27/08, 09:20 PM

Mangels and several other root vegetables would be good I think.