Oats for Goats

RedSonja · #21 01/12/12, 10:01 AM

I feed whole oats on the milking stand, along with alfalfa pellets and BOSS. My feed store was out of whole oats one week so I got crimped to get by until the next shipment. You'd have thought I was serving up pig slop the way my goaties turned their noses up at the crimped, they really didn't like them. Picky goaties.

-Sonja

Pony · #22 01/12/12, 10:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sammyd

bad info there....

Where?

Minelson · #23 01/12/12, 11:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pony

Where?

I think it's about what I said about the crimped oats...

Backfourty,MI. · #24 01/12/12, 11:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Alice In TX/MO

The buck does NOT need the oats. Feed him separately, and be sure you are providing him with a balance of calcium/phosphorous so he doesn't get urinary calculi. (Stones in his urinary system.) Those KILL!!

I agree, You definately don't want your male goats intact or otherwise to get Urinary calculi!

Backfourty,MI. · #25 01/12/12, 11:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Minelson

I thought oats had to be "crimped" in order to be digested or they will just pass through whole without any nutritional value....
I don't feed oats...but I thought about it and this is what I heard...somewhere.

or maybe I dreamt it..

I have heard that too but I thought it only applied to horses?

Redeemed98 · #26 01/12/12, 04:53 PM

So I'm figuring I should probably continue feeding the oats to the doe and begin feeding the buck some alfalfa pellets dressed with rice bran. Should the doe also get some of the alfalfa? Also can anyone give me at least a rough idea on how much I should be feeding? They are both about 1 year old and have free access to grass hay and a little browse.

Everyone has been more than a little helpful but I feel lost on just how to feed these guys.
Thanks

Pony · #27 01/12/12, 07:57 PM

I didn't note: Are your does pregnant? Then, if you're not feeding alfalfa hay, then I'd probably leave the pellets out free choice.

eclipchic · #28 01/12/12, 08:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pony

My goats do great on oats. In addition to the oats, they get alfalfa pellets, good alfalfa hay, mineral mix, browse...

Of course, good apple treats. Citrus fruit and banana peel...

But the oats are great.

do they eat citrus peels? or just the sections?

Pony · #29 01/12/12, 08:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by eclipchic

do they eat citrus peels? or just the sections?

They actually prefer the peels.

eclipchic · #30 01/12/12, 08:43 PM

perfect! We are eating a lot of oranges right now

Backfourty,MI. · #31 01/13/12, 07:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pony

I didn't note: Are your does pregnant? Then, if you're not feeding alfalfa hay, then I'd probably leave the pellets out free choice.

I think he just has 1 buck & 1 doe & they are penned together so free choice alfafa the buck may get more than he should or needs.

southerngurl · #32 01/13/12, 11:40 AM

Alfalfa won't hurt the buck, especially a young one that's growing. Only problem is sometimes it can cause urine scald if they are getting too much.

Redeemed98 · #33 01/13/12, 01:49 PM

I believe the doe may be bred and they are penned together. I give them free choice of regular hay which they only seem to nibble at a little bit. I can seperate them at feeding times if necessary.