Free choice alfalfa pellets + Noble Goat Dairy Parlor?

Lada · #1 01/15/12, 12:09 PM

Would this combo - alfalfa pellets @ 3 pounds per full sized doe per day, plus Noble Goat dairy parlor 16 on the milkstand be too "hot"? Too much protein? I would like this year to start making up most of their diet with the alfalfa pellets. In the past, it's been just a supplement. But I was very happy with the Noble Goat last year and would like to stay with it. I'm thinking I'd be able to cut back on the amount of grain so they would be getting less than they were last year...maybe start off with just a pound per milking (twice a day)...

Anyone else use this combo without cutting in any extra grain like oats, etc.? Oats here are $17/50 pounds. Not any cheaper than the Noble Goat and I don't need another step to worry about if it's not really accomplishing anything. I'd rather just feed less grain than cut the grain with a filler like oats...

copperpennykids · #2 01/15/12, 04:19 PM

I am sure your goats will do well on this feed program but you need one more thing:

Hay. Real hay. Grass or alfalfa grass or .... Goats need that long stemmed fibre for their rumens to work correctly. Provide free choice as well.

No need to mix with a pre-mixed feed. Lots of top breeders swear by the Noble Goat Dairy Parlor.

LoneStrChic23 · #3 01/15/12, 04:39 PM

Yep, you're fine, as long as they have actual hay like Camille said.

I feed free choice alfalfa pellets, my grain twice a day on the stand to the milkers & provide free choice grass hay (sudan & coastal) & minerals.

Lada · #4 01/15/12, 08:02 PM

Yes, we do free choice grass hay. Not anything wonderful or fancy, just...hay, clean, not moldy, but just hay.

They have limited browse in their pen, and we cut browse for them or take them on walks a few times a week during the spring/summer.

eclipchic · #5 01/15/12, 10:41 PM

that's pretty much what we feed our doe. We give her some sunflower seeds too daily because we like to spoil her like that

Tracy in Idaho · #6 01/16/12, 12:20 AM

Your Doe will do great.

I have had several Top Ten does feeding Noble Goat -- unfortunately it has gotten way too expensive for me to keep 30 does on it

Lada · #7 01/16/12, 12:37 PM

Thanks, all! Yes, I know it is pricey. I am only going to be milking four does, so since we don't buy in bulk anyway, it's not that much more. And with the lesser quality feeds, I find that I'm feeding a lot more to try to get to the same level of production so it probably evens out in the end.