Feeding pregnat none lactating goats?

RangerBrad · #1 01/29/11, 09:53 AM

Howdy Folks, I have 2 bred goats a Saanen and a Lamancha. They are both due in early March. This is the first breeding for the Lamancha and 2nd for the Saanen.

Until recently we were milking the Saanen but, because of the off taste of her milk due to a liking for cedar which I have since removed(but she still peels the stumps)we stopped milking her. Before I was giving each goat a half 3lb can of dairy blend feed and free choice alfalfa pellets and grass hay.

Now that I am not milking agin till March should I remove the dairy blend from there diet and just feed alfalfa pellets and grass hay or should I replace the dairy blend with another grain feed as I have come across a GREAT deal on Purina goat chow. What say yal? Brad

Bearfootfarm · #2 01/29/11, 10:24 AM

They need lots of nutrition these last weeks of gestation.
I wouldn't change their diets at all

Alice In TX/MO · #3 01/29/11, 01:44 PM

I'd keep on keeping on with what you have going now.

Gregg Alexander · #4 01/29/11, 02:53 PM

For dry does , I give them free choice hay and pasture, until the last 2 weeks before kidding. I have a rough pasture full of briers and other browse.

julieq · #5 01/29/11, 02:57 PM

We never change our does' diets. They're pretty much either always in milk or pregnant, so we want them in top form at all times. They get dairy grade alfalfa hay free choice and three way whole grain sweet feed twice a day. Supergain is added to the morning grain (vitamins, minerals and probiotics).

steff bugielski · #6 01/30/11, 06:41 AM

Well my milking does get about 3ls of dairy ration a day.
When they are dry, about 2 1/2 months prior to kidding I stop all grain. They get only hay and minerals.
At 100 days bred, 6 weeks to go I start giving grain again. i start with 1/4 lb a day and increase slowly so that by kidding they are getting about 1 lb a day.
The grain continues to increase till I find an equilibrium between more grain and more milk.

RangerBrad · #7 01/30/11, 08:04 PM

I appreciate yals responses, I will of course continue the free choice alfalfa pellets and grass hay but am going to switch there grain ration from dairy blend to purina goat chow at least till it is used up as I am picking up 6 50lb bags of it this weekend, for $5.00 dollars a bag I couldn't refuse as the dairy blend is over $9.00 dollars a bag. Thank's agin, Brad