How Much Hay To Feed

[YuccaFlatsRanch]

I have 5 dry (waiting to get bred) yearling Nubian Nannies that when you look at them they are in fine shape. Good glossy hair, just the slightest hint of ribs showing - vet is happy.

How much in terms of hay flakes (assume good quality Sudan grass, coastal bermuda , and some alfalfa) should they be given to eat daily?? It seems that they are always squalling for food, and will ravenously attack anything thrown in their pens - such as tree branches, etc.

BTW - Nubians have obnoxious voices, and never let anyone say they all sound alike. You can easily tell when they are not happy, such as when dinner is late.

[Vicki McGaugh TX Nubians]

Dry does are fine on all the grass hay they want, clean water, copper bolusing (because of your area) and a really good mineral, they shouldn't need anything else until 50 days bred, at which time you can up the amount of alfalfa hay fed or feed alfalfa pellets and then at 100 days bred they will need grain for calories and fat..

By using bunker type hay feeders so 2 bales fit into the pen, and they get it free choice, they no longer harass me when I fill the hay feeders since it's there all the time, it also stops alot of the fighting! Vicki

[kreddish]

My little gang is very picky on what they eat... but they do love underbrush (privots and especially bamboo) and do get fed in the am with goat feed. They hate Hay????? Well good for us, we have enough vegitation to clear and grow for the next 20 years. We pile as much of the fresh brush as we can fit in the feeding area, and take out the left over branches... and use the chipper. My pygmy's stop eating when they are full. I have never had anyone overeat...and get sick. Just be careful to make sure the plants are not harmfull to goats. Hope this helps.