I'm switching feed ration

[ahahahni1]

The way we normally feed dry does and wethers is a medicated goat feed. Once we know they are bred we switched over to a goat milking ration that is custom mixed in town 30 minutes away. It is an awesome mix but with gas prices the way they are...A friend of mine told me she switched to a different ration. What she does is buy a bag of chaf hay, rolled oats, sweet feed, and add cottonseed once they are in milk. That way you do not have to use alfalfa and no waste. AND it is cheaper in the long run than taking my trip to the feed mill. Really hoping to see how this goes cause hers look great and are producing really well. Anyone else use chaf hay?

[Alice In TX/MO]

We can't use chaff hay here on the coast because of the humidity creating mold so quickly. Don't they all have molasses on them, too?

The cottonseed issue worries me, too. I've worked for a cotton farmer, and I know what they spray those plants with. Don't want to feed that to a milk producing goat, or a meat goat for that matter.

[ahahahni1]

Well avoiding residues would be awesome to be able to do, but doing so means growing ones own feed to control what goes on it and into it. Would residues on cottonseed be any different a concern that what is on the alfalfa, or other grain that is in feed?

[Alice In TX/MO]

They don't use Agent Orange on wheat, oats, barley, or alfalfa. The pesticides are minimal in grain and hay production, also.

In cotton, they plant Genetically Modified seed that is "Round Up ready", spray Round Up around the small plants, constantly monitor for bugs and spray pesticides regularly, and then they spray the defoliant on the plant to kill the foliage before harvesting the cotton.

As for me, I'm not feeding that. It's just a personal decision, based on what I've seen. For a while, you could see vegetable oil in the grocery store that was labeled as cottonseed oil. Never bought that, either.

[ahahahni1]

hmmm. will ask hubby what he thinks

[ahahahni1]

wonder what milk production would be without cottonseed. Oh and dairy farmers feed cottonseed so that would be in our milk supply

[ahahahni1]

Hubby said not a concern for him since dairymen commonly feed cottonseed. Wish I could go all organic and nonGMO feed. I am going to experiment with mangel beets this year also

[LoneStrChic23]

I'm surrounded by cotton fields, and lots of cattle people here feed cotton seed in huge piles in the pasture.....I know what's put on that cotton and I personally wouldn't feed it to my animals. I'm raising goats for healthy, junk free milk & meat for my family so I won't feed something I know without a doubt is full of pesticides....

I mix my own feed. 6 parts oats, 2 parts cracked corn, 2 parts BOSS and I recently added 2 parts of a horse grain mix (no pelleted feeds for me)...it has barley, oats and corn with a bit of molasses.... I don't buy alfalfa hay as it's too expensive and alot is wasted, so I feed alfalfa pellets (standlee brand at TSC) & free choice coastal hay.....My goats do great on this, I don't have to worry about finding quality feed or my store running out of my brand... I don't have to worry about paying money for by products & I only feed the tiniest amount of molasses....

I've found that you have to find what works for you.....everyone has an opinion on what's best and what works best for their goats....I asked around, got a basic starting point on what was best to feed & then tweaked it to suit my needs

Whatever you decide to feed, I would make all feed changes slowly and gradually to avoid problems.

Good luck

[ahahahni1]

Still thinking about it kinda feeling 50%/ 50% on the issue at this point. I am listening to what you guys are saying and like to hear your opinons. I didn't buy the cottonseed yet and will feed them the chaf hay mixture until I without a doubt know what we will do.

[Alice In TX/MO]

I've been thinking so much about this that my husband asked what was on my mind during supper.

One question.... does the cottonseed have the calcium that alfalfa has? I know it has protein, but I don't know about calcium.

Another point I want to make (hopefully without offending) is that what commercial cow dairies do is not something I want to imitate. That is why we have dairy goats and strive to feed them to the best of my ability.

Our veterinarian in Missouri is a semi-retired bovine lactation expert. He is *always* talking about the over feeding of protein (and corn) to most cows in large dairies. He says it ruins their health and shortens their lives. He's an advocate for feeding the dairy animal a diet that promotes health and long life, even at the expense of a bit of production in the short term.

There is SO much to learn, and it's overwhelming. Also, there are as many ways to feed goats as there are goat owners.

So many of the long term goat folks simply feed alfalfa hay, avoid molasses, and do feed grains such as oats, barley, and black oil sunflower seeds. My husband says, "Don't re-invent the wheel."

This is, again, just my input on a very complex issue. Hope I've helped the conversation along and not offended anyone.

Edited to add: Here's an article about toxic residue in cotton seed. Scared me to pieces, and I knew most of it already.
http://findarticles.com/p/articles/m...4/ai_54492553/

Edited again to add this article about the damage to the mammals who eat the Round Up ready genetically altered cottonseed. The toxin accumulates in fatty tissues, and it causes birth defects.
http://environmentalcommons.org/ceto...es/urgent.html

[ahahahni1]

No not offended at all. Just cause I have goats doesn't make me a goat expert. Learning as I go. I mean as soon as you think you know it all God has a way of showing you you don't.

[ahahahni1]

WOW! Thank you for that article. I will ask my hubby to read it as soon as he comes inside from feeding. Can you as Mod change the title of this thread to dealing more with what this thread was about feeding cottonseed?

[Alice In TX/MO]

I'm not a moderator. Just a fellow goat owner who likes to research. Like you, I'm learning, too!

That second article really gave me the willies.

[6e]

I thought about cottonseed for our goats when I saw it for sale at the feed store. I opted for shredded beet pulp instead. Is that available close to you?

[ahahahni1]

No But I am about to grow some Mangel beets!