Feeding problem

[moopups]

The 4 Boers here are a bit self serving when it comes to the evening grain, the larger ones charge the smaller ones and try to take all the food. Then I wised up and started to scatter the pellets in about a 10 foot diameter circle, this cured the problem. Its when the grain is in a pile that they act selfish, but scattered over a hay base they calmly seek out each and every pellet.

[topside1]

Here's an idea, how about four separate pans, tubs, anything other than tossing it into bedding and have them explore for dinner.

[moopups]

I tried that when there were only 3, the billy would play musical chairs at all the feed containers.

[Ark]

Eating pellets or grain off the ground is a good way to end up with a huge WORM problem!

[6e]

I have to agree with Ark. Feeding off the ground is an invitation for worms. We learned that the hard way. What we did is we have 4 long troughs that my husband made and we just scatter the feed all the way the length of the trough so that everyone has room.
If you have one that's especially greedy and acts like a vacuum with the feed, we cured that by putting very large rocks in the trough. That way they have to eat around the rocks and it slows them down.
I understand about the pans. Ours use to do the same thing. It didn't matter how far apart you put the pans, the dominant ones would eat as fast as they could and then chase the other away and eat theirs too.

[Raftercat5]

When our 2 of 3 goats weren't milking and being fed on the stand, they all ate together with 3 bowls next to each other. The 2 bigger ones would gobble up the food fast, and fight for the 3rd and smaller goat's feed. The 3rd goat learned quickly if she wanted to eat, she had better eat fast! She used to be a very slow eater when I fed her alone on the stand, but with the competition, she picked up her pace. Don't worry...the goats will work it out, and all will get fed. If you see skin and bones, then it's time to worry.
- Kathy

[Freeholder]

You'd need stout collars and lead ropes to do this since it sounds like these guys are full grown, but when I had a bunch of kids in one pen, I'd tie them and give them their grain on squares cut from an old tarp. I kept the leads attached to the fence (you'd want to tie to something sturdy) and just led the kids over to their spot and snapped the lead to their collar at feeding time. It didn't take too long. When everyone is done, let them go. Goats are bad for being piggy about their food -- the herd boss eats first, everyone else gets what's left in descending order, according to their rank in the herd, and that can leave the ones who are lowest on the totem pole going hungry. With hay, I just make sure I feed enough so that they have a little bit left the next day -- that way they all have a chance to get their bellies full. But you can't give them that much grain, or the piggiest ones will get too much.

Kathleen

[chamoisee]

Not a good idea to put the grain on the ground- waste, worm eggs.

Ideal is a stock panel (assuming goats aren't horned) with a trough on your side of the panel. Put grain in panel, goats can't mob you and obstruct your path. They have to put their heads through to eat,which limits the hogging of the fee, and the dominant goats can't walk all over and ruin the grain.

[deetu]

Keyhole feeders work great too I'm able to lock them in if they get really aggressive.