Hay/grain questions

[beckywilliams24]

Wish there was a sticky with newbie questions and answers. I'm afraid I will make all of you crazy with my questions. I do use the search function regularly however

I'm getting three wethers in about 2 weeks (I'm BEYOND excited !!). I've never owned goats and want to give them the best (spoiled) life.

Can I give them grass hay along with alfalfa pellets? Our pasture will keep them busy and full until this fall. Do they need grain in their first year? I didn't plan on giving grain but read on this site that they should have it while growing. I'd also like to give them BOSS, Loose minerals, baking soda.... What else would you suggest?

If you think they should have grain I'd like to make my own. Suggestions ?

[coso]

How old are they ? If they are under seven or eight months old I would want to give them a little grain. Once they are older you could use alfalfa pellets and grass hay. That plus your loose minerals and baking soda, they should do just fine.

[Ford Zoo]

What breed also? Depending on age, they may not need grain like Coso said. If you only need to grain for a short time, I would probably just go with a premade mix.

Otherwise, with minerals, they may do just fine with grass hay alone.

And you'll want to consider wormers and vaccines (if you chose to vaccinate).

If we now the age, you may get more specific answers to your plan. Have fun!!

[beckywilliams24]

Two of them are nigerian dwarf / alpine mix and are 2 months old. The other is a nigerian dwarf / nubian mix and is 5 months old.

[Doug Hodges]

Are they weaned? I don't have any weathers but I have several that age. They get milk, free choice noble goat grower, and alfalfa/orchard grass. Most of the January and February babies are preferring grain over milk now but still drink some.

[mygoat]

If you feed grain, I highly suggest a lamb grower pellet. Not only will it contain a bit of a coccidistat, but it will ALSO be balanced 2:1 Calcium: Phosphorus for male goat health. Here, I mix this 2 parts lamb pellet with 1 part alfalfa pellet, and feed free choice to my kids. My kids are being raised for breeding, however. I would probably gradually ease them on to the pellet and give them a decent meal every day until they are several months old. The rest of their life unles they get skinny or something, they should need ZERO grain. A decent hay or pasture is more than adequate. free choice minerals, baking soda, and water and that's it.

I do suggest you continue with a coccidia prevention for a few more weeks.

[Doug Hodges]

Mygoat,
Have you looked at the Noble Goat Grower? I was wondering it's ratios. I get the medicated with decoquinate. I'll post a picture of the ingredients if that would help?

[Doug Hodges]

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