Feeding Calcium Carbonate

[emanuelcs34]

I have been fighting with my does. I have tried putting oil on alfalfa pellets and sprinkling the calcium carbonate over it. Every single doe has refused to eat it.
I have tried every trick I could think of....No luck.
Today I tried mixing a tsp of calcium carbonate with 1/2 tsp of peanut butter. Mixed it and made into little balls...Every doe ate it up.

So do you think that doing it this way would be ok or would the peanut butter not be good as a daily supplement?

[GoldenWood Farm]

I don't see why peanut butter would hurt them a bit. If they eat it then use it! I use many different things to get my girls to eat stuff they don't want to, even marshmallows (their favorite!).

Justine

[emanuelcs34]

I only have one that will eat marshmallows....I was really surprised that they all ate it so well. Thanks

[Alice In TX/MO]

The alfalfa pellets are your source of calcium. Those who are feeding calcium carbonate usually cut back or stop feeding alfalfa.

[GoldenWood Farm]

Oh good heavens Alice I am glad you caught that! My brain is tired today and I didn't even see that they said alfalfa pellets...I just saw pellets .

Justine

[emanuelcs34]

They usually only get the pellets when milking. (everyone is dry now) They don't get much less than a cup of pellets just to try to get the calcium carbonate in them. Didn't work so they won't get the pellets until in millk. the hay is a grass alfalfa mix. Since I don't feed any grain at all I wanted to make sure they got enough calcium.

[GoldenWood Farm]

Grain is for protein and carbs more than calcium (right gals? Brain still foggy!). From what I understand you should either be feeding calcium carbonate or just alfalfa pellets not both. I myself am switching from alfalfa pellets to just calcium carbonate this year.

Why are you giving them calcium carbonate right now if they are not milking?

Justine

[emanuelcs34]

I wanted to start the last month of pregnancy but have not had luck getting them to eat it. I have 2 due in Jan and 5 due in feb. I have had problems with calcium deficiency in the past and want to avoid it. Right now they are only getting hay.
I don't think they get enough pellets to meet the calcium needs while on the milkstand, and since they are not in milk yet I was just using them as a treat.

[GoldenWood Farm]

Okay that is what I had figured . I would just keep with giving them the calcium carbonate in the peanut butter and see how that goes (not worry about the alfalfa pellets). I have had problems the last year or so getting my girls to eat their alfalfa pellets as well which is why I am switching to calcium carbonate instead (well that and feed cost).

Justine

[mygoat]

Grain is for carbs, mainly. Usually soy/alfalfa/boss for protein, which aren't really 'grains'.

I doubt peanut butter balls are going to hurt them any. Another alternative if you'd rather make a batch up at once, is to look up a homemade dog treat recipe and make a bulk batch (one that goats would like - maybe homemade peanut butter dog treats w/no meat in it! ) Just add in a liberal amount of Ca in there, bake, and voila! You'll probably want at least 1/2 tablespoon per cookie.

I top dress grain with Ca carbonate, at least 1 tablespoon per doe per grain feeding. I keep some corn oil in a spray bottle, spritz grain, sprinkle on Ca, then spritz lightly again if needed. Then I mix and serve. One of my girls seems a bit picky. I've been considering getting some cocosoya for her grain, instead. Or mixing molasses in with the corn oil.... She's EXTREMELY picky though, so getting her to eat anything is nearly impossible.

[emanuelcs34]

I had wondered about making some sort of cookie type thing for them. I might have to do some tinkering.
thanks so much.