What do goats really eat?
Well, for starters they don’t eat tin cans and newspaper, I can assure you! Whether you’re looking to own a goat, or you’re just generally curious about goats, you’ve come to the right place. Here at Weed ’em & Reap, I consider myself somewhat of an expert on goats. Never thought I’d say that in my lifetime, but alas, here I am! Once I heard that goat’s milk would be the healthiest choice for my family, I knew I had to convince my husband to move to a farm, get some goats, and start a’ milkin’. Hey, I’m nothing, if not ambitious!
When it comes to raising our goats, we strive to raise them as holistically and organically as possible. Why? Well, if we are going to all the trouble to drink milk from our goats, it makes sense to feed them the best food possible, doesn’t it?
How does a goat eat?
Goats don’t really get their nutrition from their food, but rather, from the fermentation of their food. You see, their stomachs – there are 4 of them – are designed to ferment and break down their food and then their body digests the nutrition from their fermented food.
Goats are not grazers that will mow your lawn. They are actually called “browsers”, which is just a fancy word for being picky eaters 😉 Goats like variety. They are drawn to the most nutritious plants, and so they will stubbornly refuse to graze a lawn and instead they’ll eat all the weeds, bushes, leaves, & finally barks of the trees before they’ll tackle your grass.
What do goats eat?
- Pasture or Hay (90-100% of their diet) – Pasture is fresh land that is filled with lots of various grasses & weeds. When I say “hay”, I’m not referring to that yellow straw from the feed store. I’m referring to a green hay like alfalfa, timothy, orchard grass, or bermuda. Hay can come in the form of actual bales, or in the form of compressed pellets. Goats do better on real hay because their rumen (stomach) can digest it better and they are less likely to bloat. They can still have some pellets, but watch for those big bellies afterwards and scale back if you see it becoming a problem.
How I feed my goats: Here in Arizona, hay can be quite expensive (around $12-16 a bale), so we feed a combo of hay & pellets. We always try to get different varieties because goats have many different mineral requirements and thrive on variety. - Grain – (0-10% of their diet) – Goats don’t need grain to survive, in fact, they can live happily on pasture or hay, or a combination of both. When they are pregnant or lactating, grains can help provide extra vitamins & minerals, as well as 12-16% extra protein. I’ve put my goats on a 100% pasture and hay diet (also called grass-fed) and I’ve also fed them grain. There is a slight boost in milk when I feed grain and I believe it really helps after birthing and while they’re taking care of their babies. If you do feed grain, it’s wise to only feed a small amount of grain and not overdo it. Male goats should NEVER have grain, as it disrupts their calcium to phosphorus balance and will cause urinary stones and even death.
How I feed my goats: At the end of our goats’ pregnancies, we feed a handful of grain each day, then once they start lactating, we give 1 cup of grain for every quart of milk they produce. The grain I purchase is very similar to this brand here. - Minerals – (1-2% of their diet) – Minerals are an important part of a goat’s diet. Because they are foragers, they naturally are always seeking out different plants that will provide their bodies with different minerals. Hands down, I’d say this is the most important part of owning goats.
How I feed my goats: We do this mineral protocol here. - Forage – Foraging for food is something goats love to do, but in a domestic setting, don’t get around to it much.
How I feed my goats: We like to “forage” for our goats by taking bags of weeds or grass from our neighbors and giving our goats some foraged treats for them. We also give them the trimmings from our trees and scraps from the garden. They love it! - Extra Treats – Goats love carrots, greens, sunflower seeds, pumpkin seeds, raisins.
“Be aware that with dairy goats, their milk production is about 9 to 10 per cent of their body weight, whereas a dairy cow produces 5 to 6 per cent of their body weight daily as milk. To maintain this level of milk production a dairy goat needs to eat between 5 to 7 per cent of her body weight daily; a dairy cow eats up to 4 per cent of her body weight per day. Be award that many times, no matter how much you feed, the doe will get thin. Does will put everything they have into milk production. It takes more out of a doe to make milk than to make babies!” (source)
What should goats avoid eating?
Goats have a natural instinct to avoid plants that are poisonous, but occasionally you’ll get a goat that eats anything. Goats have historically been used to clear a large area for planting, so they usually know what they’re doing. If you’d like to know which plants are poisonous, you can Click here for a full list on poisonous plants for goats.
Will goats eat my lawn furniture or my backyard toys?
Goats are attracted to natural products, so they tend to nibble on things like wood, or wicker, but won’t eat things like a tire. It’s been my experience that if a goat is well-fed and has complete nutrition, they won’t be a goat that eats everything in site. They won’t chew on a garden hose or destroy a trampoline, and they won’t eat a fence.
What about treats, or store bought goat feed?
One of the biggest problems with feed stores is their promotion of goat feed. They confuse new goat owners by selling them goat feed, then the new owner goes home and feeds pounds of this grain-based food to their goats. And, then the goat gets constipated. Goats really can’t handle more than 5% grain in their diets. More grain produces acidosis, an imbalance of acid in their bodies. Because their bodies are meant to be more alkaline, they get very sick when acidosis kicks in. They can experience pain, bloating, constipation, skin pox, and can even die. Please, for the love of goats, don’t feed ONLY goat feed, just feed in very small amounts..
Do goats need supplements?
I don’t give my goats many extra supplements (other than the mineral program they’re on), but I do have things on hand that help boost my goat’s health when needed. Here are some of the supplements I’ve used on my goats.
- For Bloating/digestive upset – Baking soda. Sometimes a goat’s rumen pH will get out of balance. This should be only offered as an emergency, not an every day use.
- For Bi-annual Deworming – Herbal Dewormer Mix.
- For poor Rumen function – Probiotics. This works as a probiotic, but in my opinion, they don’t need it all the time, just after a major sickness or a dose of antibiotics (we avoid using antibiotics unless in an emergency) Make sure to use probiotics specifically for ruminant animals.
- For a shiny coat & healthy skin – Black Oil Sunflower Seeds. You can get this from any feed store. Your goats will love this little treat! You can add it to their grain mixture at milking.
Can I give my goats kitchen/garden scraps?
Yes! You can absolutely give them scraps from your kitchen or garden as treats. Just remember that goats are herbivores, which means they only eat plants (fruits & vegetables). I’ve found there really isn’t anything that changes the flavor of milk. I’m sure if you fed them 50 cloves of garlic, they’re would probably be a change of flavor, but scraps here and there shouldn’t do anything:)
A goat’s diet is very simple.
Don’t overthink your goat’s diet. They should thrive on a diet of a variety of green plants, whether they be pasture, hay or forage. Remember that grains should be kept to a minimum and that they shouldn’t be fed tin cans and you’ll be good!
Hi DaNelle,
I think I remember seeing in one of your blog posts where you mention getting a rubber lid/flap for the mineral feeders from Lowes? However, I have no idea where to look for that anymore. Could please point me in the right direction? Thank you!
Hi Virgilia-
This article has the link to the rubber covers she used. https://www.weedemandreap.com/our-custom-goat-barn/
Thank you -Bobbi (DaNelle’s Assistant)
Hi DaNelle, can you tell me EXACTLY what you feed your goats please, with an answer from you?
Hello-
This is how DaNelle feeds her goats: https://www.weedemandreap.com/optimal-nutritional-goat-diet/
Thanks -Bobbi (DaNelle’s Assistant)
I live in Michigan above Saginaw Bay. I have about three acres of dense woodland and brush land left to clear out. I thought goats might be a viable option. Obviously large breeds would be more effective in clearing the brush out of the woods. Would males(neutered) make better eating machines or females? Do I need to fence or can goats be tethered in the area you want to clear? I assume goats take well to halters or collars.
Hi Mike-
Male or female will be fairly equivalent.
Goats really should not be tethered. Fencing them in is much better.
Goats will take to collars and halters if you take the time to train them, but these should be for leading the goats, not tethering.
Thank you -Bobbi (DaNelle’s Assistant)
Also I use DE POWDER TO KILL WHITE LICE ON MY GOATS? Is this ok? Some of mine have some scaly stuff in their ears -what could that be? Could that be mites in their ears? Got any suggestions on killing the lice on goats?
Hi Christy-
It would be best to talk to your vet and get your goats treated immediately.
DE can be used on goats just be cautious because it can cause lung issues.
To prevent and treat lice have the vet first treat your goats for mites and lice, make sure they are not overcrowded, have clean and fresh bedding, have proper minerals and supplements, and are dewormed regularly.
Thank you -Bobbi (DaNelle’s Assistant)
I have 19 female pet goats… hardly any foraging available on 1 acres… what do you recommend is the best way to feed them? I have never dewormed them because I was told early that goats need to have a balance of worms because they are susceptible to them… so I guess you are an advocate of deworming… I need to check into it. They seem healthy and not skinny, poops normal. How do you know when they have lots of parasites?
Hi Christy-
These articles should help you:
https://www.weedemandreap.com/optimal-nutritional-goat-diet/
https://www.weedemandreap.com/natural-goat-dewormer/
Thank you -Bobbi (DaNelle’s Assistant)
DaNelle, I live in Maine where wild blueberry bushes are abundant. I know that azaleas and rhododendrons are toxic to goats and heard blueberries are in the same family, so are blueberry bushes (the leaves) toxic, too? I have not been able to locate blueberry bushes on any list as either safe or toxic… If toxic, we have a lot of clearing to do before letting our goats browse on our property…
Hi Joel-
I have had goats eat off of blueberry bushes in the past with no problem. So, from a personal aspect I wouldn’t consider them poisonous.
Thank you -Bobbi (DaNelle’s Assistant)
I have about an acre of grass/weeds that I do nothing with but grow wild. How long would it take for two pygmy goats to run out of food? Things around here grow really fast. And will they try to jump in my pond? Thanks.
Hi Thomas-
If your pasture area is managed properly it should continue to sustain your goats. Here are two articles that can help you determine your spacing and pasture rotation needs:
https://www.weedemandreap.com/how-much-space-need-raise-goats/
https://www.weedemandreap.com/efficient-pasture-rotation-goats/
Goats will drink out of your pond, but I have not witnessed a goat jumping into a pond.
I hope that helps!
Thank you -Bobbi (DaNelle’s Assistant)
Goats detest getting their feet wet If there is a wet spot on the ground and you try to lead them through it , they will do their best to walk around it or jump over it.
Is it safe to give grain to a thin pregnant goat? A recent epidemic in our locality took a lot out of this doe…she’s recovered. She is only 2 weeks along….I want her to gain a bit of weight before giving birth.
Hi Aasiya-
Yes, it’s safe to give a pregnant doe some grain, just don’t overdo it. Here is DaNelle’s suggestions for feeding goats, including pregnant ones. https://www.weedemandreap.com/optimal-nutritional-goat-diet/
Also, here’s a nice checklist for your pregnant doe and soon to be kidding season: https://www.weedemandreap.com/goat-pregnancy-delivery-checklist/
I hope your doe recovers nicely and you have healthy babies.
Thank you -Bobbi (DaNelle’s Assistant)
Hello, I have 3 Pygmy goats – one is Nigerian Pygmy and the other 2 are dwarf Pygmy. I have them fenced in what we call our Back 40 which is an old orchard between 1/4-1/3 or an acre. They are all under a yr old. The Nigerian Pygmy was raised very domestically for the first 3-4 mos of her life until we got her. Then we added the other 2. I thought they all ate our dried grass during the summer months and here we are with tall native grasses and flowers (I live in Northern CA) in abundance after all the rain we have had, but they are touching it. I have tried buying Alfalfa hay and they don’t eat it. All they seem to care for is the Alfalfa pellets we give them. Or the leaves on trees or the acorns that fell from the oak trees. I’m just wondering if they need to be trained to say the native grasses and weeds. They won’t eat carrots or celery. Just looking for advice. I’ve also tried the herbal deworming and they won’t eat it. Would really appreciate any suggestions you might have. Thanks very much! -Lesley
Hi Lesley-
It can be frustrating when animals don’t eat what we provide. The important thing is to make sure your goats are maintaining weight and growing (if they are still in the growth stage). Make sure they have access to fresh water, minerals, and supplements. They do not need to eat celery or carrots. Goats love forage and especially tree leaves. Most goats do prefer alfalfa pellets over hay, but typically still do like the hay. Since they are not eating it, make sure the hay is not moldy or has any unwanted chemicals on it. Also, make sure they have plenty of water, because lack of water decreases eating.
As for the dewormer, I find it better to use a syringe and drencher tip to worm them. Feeding it to them does not seem to be as efficient.
Here is DaNelle’s other article on feeding tips: https://www.weedemandreap.com/optimal-nutritional-goat-diet/
It has some good links to feeding guidelines, etc.
I hope that helps.
Best of luck with your goats!
Thank you -Bobbi (DaNelle’s Assistant)
Hello. I’m getting a pregnant goat and the owner is telling me while pregnant to feed her 1 cup a day maybe cup and a half then, After she has her baby 3-4 cups a day. Is there any truth to this or should I skip grains while pregnant then only do one cup while lactating? Thanks so much.
Hi Diane-
That amount of grain could be a bit excessive if it upsets their rumens, but if they are doing ok on it then that is fine, especially if they are a larger breed of goat. Just be sure to watch for digestive upset and be sure to feed a quality grain. The article suggests feeding them grain towards the end of their pregnancies, at the amount of about a handful of grain each day, then once they start lactating, give them 1 cup of grain for every quart of milk they produce. This is a good rule of thumb too, but again just make sure it doesn’t upset their rumen.
Also make sure they have plenty of quality hay and/or forage and the proper supplements and minerals. This article can help with that: https://www.weedemandreap.com/optimal-nutritional-goat-diet/
I hope that helps and your does and babies are healthy and happy!
Best wishes!
Thank you -Bobbi (DaNelle’s Assistant)
Where do you get your alfalfa hay? Is it non GMO sourced? We have had a source of organic hay here in AZ on and off, but they don’t have any currently. Can you substitute the Chaffhaye that you mentioned? How much does it take to feed that to Nubian goats? Thanks for the great information!
Hi Lisa-
The hay DaNelle uses is not non-GMO, you can’t really find that in AZ. DaNelle purchases her hay from Lameroux’s Hay.
You can substitute the Chaffhaye. Chaffhaye’s site gives you the info you need for proper feeding: https://chaffhaye.com/faq/
I hope that helps! Best of luck with your goaties!
-Bobbi (DaNelle’s Assistant)
I think goats do not really have 4 stomachs, but one stomach w. 4 chambers- 3 for fermentation and 1 for digestion.
Hello! I recently moved from Glendale to Young AZ. I have followed you for a while and appreciate the research and thoughtfulness you put into caring for your animals- as well as how to do so efficiently. I am trying to move away from the pelleted goat feed- its expensive and not sustainable. I am still feeding it now but here is my proposed replacement and I was wondering what you thought. (8 dairy goats and 2 bucks- 6 lactating)
Grazing all day (put away at night)
Fodder
Spent grain
Fermented grain
(all given on the milk stand)
We recently cut back on the pelleted grain as we added in the fermented grain and it seems we have a drop in milk. Could you give me any reasons why you think this might or might not work? Amount? Type of grain that might be better than another?
Hi Cheyanne-
I’m not big on feeding goats grain in general (except little handfuls towards the end of pregnancy) because it can upset their rumen. You can find the grain DaNelle suggests on her resources page under “Raising Animals”: https://www.weedemandreap.com/resources/
If you choose to feed grains make sure it, and your other feed, has adequate protein and that you supplement their nutrition to make sure they are getting enough vitamins and minerals. https://www.weedemandreap.com/supplements-for-goats/
https://www.weedemandreap.com/goats-minerals-what-you-need-to-know/
I hope that helps!
Thank you -Bobbi (DaNelle’s Assistant)
HI-
I literally have two back yard Nigerian Wethers- they are about five months old. Sweet boys! Unfortunately they have been sick coughing and scratching a lot. I have had them to the vet. Antibiotic, ivermectin, and they had coccila (sp?) in poop and gave an oral med. I recently gave them probios and nutra drench to help. They are still scratching a lot and have a dry cough. I will do another poop sample and send to a lab to check for lung worm. I cannot even imagine how they are getting worms. They don’t graze, and this my backyard and no other animals have ever been here- besides my Golden. Fingers crossed they get healthy . I am freaked out and reading too much- I don’t want to lose these babies- I just love them.
I feed them Timothy hay and alfalfa – got some second cut hay from a local farmer to feed over the winter, also feed 1/2 a cup of grain each a day as a treat mixed with mineral and baking soda. I was wondering if I can give the burmuda alfalfa pellets to them since they are wethers- would they get stones form this like too much grain?
Thanks for all your wonderful articles and information! Love the videos too 🙂
Hi Autumn-
I am sorry to hear about your goats. I hope they get well soon.
Wethers are the most susceptible to urinary calculi. You should get a mineral analysis for your feed and water. An imbalance in the calcium to phosphorus ratio (ideal is 2:1), too much grain, and inadequate water consumption are usually the culprits in urinary calculi. I hope that helps.
Thank you -Bobbi (DaNelle’s Assistant)
Hi, I’ve been giving my two Nigerian Dwarf Goat wethers organic stone ground flax seed. They each get 1/8th of a cup every day. One of them is bloated now. Should I cut back or just stop all together? I’ve read that flax seed is very good for them, but I’m starting to wonder…. thank you for your help!
Hi Nanci-
Flaxseed can be good for goats, but if they are becoming bloated then I would definitely cutback on the amount you are giving them or stop feeding it for a week or two until the bloat goes away. I would recommend giving your goats 1-2 teaspoons of the flaxseed. In the meantime while the goats are bloated you can give them baking soda. This will help reduce bloat and get their rumens back on track. In fact, you can offer them baking soda all the time so they can eat it when they want to and hopefully avoid bloat in the future. I that helps! Thank you -Bobbi (DaNelle’s Assistant)
Glad I ran across this article. We have two Nigerian Dwarfs and we have been feeding them grain daily. Plus Alfalfa. We tried minerals, but they had no interest, they wouldn’t touch it. After reading this I will definitely be cutting out the grain and only feed alfalfa. Should I try the minerals again since they won’t be having grain? Maybe they will eat it? We also tried a mineral block and we basically just fed the deer because the goats had no interest in that either. They look healthy and seem happy.
Hi Chasity-
Goats definitely need supplemental vitamins and minerals because often hay and forage quality isn’t sufficient. It is best to do a hair analysis on your goats if you believe they are deficient. I would definitely try offering them minerals again. If it doesn’t work, be sure to give your goats a variety of other things to eat such as fruits and vegetables, along with kelp, beet pulp, baking soda, black oil sunflower seeds, apple cider vinegar, and a little salt. You can also give them a copper bolus if they are copper deficient. I hope that helps and your goats remain healthy and happy! Thank you -Bobbi (DaNelle’s Assistant)
Hello,
Just wanted to share my experience with feeding our Nigerian Dwarf Goats. We fed them grain and hay. Then, just switched to a little grain in the morning and just let them graze. They have never looked better letting them graze. Coats look marvelous. In the fall they will clean up our fallen leaves, but we realize hay will need to become a part of their diet again with the grass and trees go dormant for winter, but pine needles can remain in the diet.
Could you give another reference for a grain or list of natural grains!? The link says it’s not available any more? my 2 girls will be bred for the first time this November and I’m hoping to introduce the grain in small amounts leading up to it
Hi Kacie-
The link on the resources page will take you to the grain DaNelle uses. Look under raising animal in the middle column. https://www.weedemandreap.com/resources/
I hope that helps! Thanks -Bobbi (DaNelle’s Assistant)
Hi, I kind of stumbled across this site after stumbling across an abandoned goat tied to a tree whilst walking my dogs this morning.
I live in Southern Spain and it is very hot here at the moment. I went back with a a bucket of water thinking that the little fella might be reclaimed at some point during the day. however when I returned he was still there only this time all tangled up in the rope. I have to add that this was not in an urban area as I live adjacent to “the campo”.
He is a very friendly fella and I could hardly leave him there to die.
So to cut a longish story short I have taken him home and left him in a fairly secluded section of the garden to allow him to calm down as he seemed pretty scared when i brought him home, most likely due to the dogs barking.
Not sure what to do next, my friends will think I am completely nuts as I have already rescued four dogs!
If the dogs get used to him, no one claims him and he is happy enough then I don’t see too much of an issue in keeping him.
In the mean time any advice would be well received as i know next to nothing about goats!
Hi Andrew-
If you find that no one claims the goat and you want to keep him, then I guess you are officially a goat owner. Do know that single goats get very lonely and will become very vocal. It’s always best to have 2 or more goats as they are herd animals. Here are some articles that talk about the space, nutrition, and how to worm your goat:
https://www.weedemandreap.com/how-much-space-need-raise-goats/
https://www.weedemandreap.com/goats-minerals-what-you-need-to-know/
https://www.weedemandreap.com/supplements-for-goats/
https://www.weedemandreap.com/natural-goat-dewormer/
Always be sure your goats have access to plenty of fresh water.
Another thing, I am not sure if your goat is an intact male or has been castrated. There is a difference in their demeanor and a non-castrated buck cannot be kept with other goats.
I hope all works out with your new goat! Best of luck! Thank you -Bobbi (DaNelle’s Assistant)
Hi there I have 2 Nigerian dwarf bucks and 6 does. I feed the boys each a scoop of oats and a scoop of pellets and a half scoop of grains and hay every day. And the does get the same. Is this OK or is it too much grain and oats?
Hi Cynthia-
Goats really don’t need much grain as it can upset their ruminant system. They do better with high quality forage and alfalfa. Small feedings of grain can be beneficial when your does are going into the breeding season, when they are beginning to lactate, or close to given birth.
Instead of grain, I would try giving them more high quality grass, hay, forage, alfalfa, garden scraps, tree leaves, and things like that.
I hope that helps!
Thank you -Bobbi (DaNelle’s Assistant)
I need to worm my 2 goats and I have fir meadow wormer but the problem is I can’t get them to eat it. Tried mixing molasses in, mixed with oats and flour and molasses, tried that mixed with their grain in it also and no way. They acted like I was trying to poison them. Tried with a syringe with no luck. Part of the problem is I’m doing this by myself. well my 5yr old is trying to help which is no help. Any ideas would be awesome I’ve only had them a couple of months and they both had kids in the past 10 days and just started having clumpy poop. So I know they have worms and I want them healthy and naturally, that was the whole purpose of getting them. And they are bigger goats so they handle me instead of me handling them. HELP!!
Hi Cindi-
I would get a drencher from your local farm store and use that. Also you can secure your goats in a stanchion or something similar so they can’t take off. This should help you manage worming on your own. Best of luck and Happy Goating! Thank you -Bobbi (DaNelle’s Assistant)
So this is what I feed the goats everyday
A pinch of baking soda in their feed
3/4 cup of organic goat feed
1/4 cup of black oil sunflower seeds
And a little apple cider vin
And of course tons of hay and grazing
Do you think that’s a good diet
I have two Nigerian dwarfs
Hi Abby-
The diet sounds pretty good. However, goats do not need grain, in fact too much can disrupt their digestion. Also, you may want to add some additional supplements and minerals to their diet in case the nutrient content is low in what they are grazing/foraging on. These articles talk about what they should have:
https://www.weedemandreap.com/supplements-for-goats/
https://www.weedemandreap.com/goats-minerals-what-you-need-to-know/
I hope that helps!
Thank you -Bobbi (DaNelle’s Assistant)
We are considering getting 2 female goats for milking. We have about an acre of land we were going to fence off for them that does have grass and foliage. How much supplemental hay/grain is required when they are allowed to graze? We are trying to estimate the cost of additional feed required for these girls. Thank you!!
Hi Nadia-
If you have plenty of space (and it sounds like you do), with quality forage, then you should have very minimal feed supplementation needs (unless you have some rough winters). Here is an article DaNelle wrote about space needs for goats that https://www.weedemandreap.com/how-much-space-need-raise-goats/
Also here is another great article she wrote that talks about raising goats and gives some prices/costs: https://www.weedemandreap.com/raising-goats-milking-goats/
I hope this helps! Happy Goating! -Bobbi (DaNelle’s Assistant)
We recently moved to Texas from California. We are enjoying the country setting here. We have goats as neighbors and in the neighborhood. One is very friendly but others aren’t. Are goats generally friendly or prefer to be left on their own? Are they dangerous other than eating your clothes? THANKS
Hi Nadine-
I hope your move went well and you are settling in in TX. That’s pretty neat that you have some goaty neighbors! Goats are a mixed bag when it comes to personalities. Some goats are crazy friendly, some are scared of their own shadow, and others can be real meaners or pains in the backside. In general does and wethers are friendly, unless a doe has some kids that maybe she doesn’t want anyone messing with. Even then though some does will let you walk right up and pet their newborns, others attack like a trained assassins. Bucks are generally pretty aggressive, or at least not overly friendly, and usually pretty stinky.
Basically what I am saying, goats are like people, they come in all personality types and you don’t know what you are getting until you get to know them. I do advise NOT messing with anyone’s goats though, unless the owners have specifically told you it is ok. This will keep you from getting hurt, really ticking off the neighbors, or even possibly causing harm to the goats. So talk to your neighbors and they can help you get to know the goats in your neighborhood. In the meantime here are some great articles to read that DaNelle wrote about things to know about goats. https://www.weedemandreap.com/buying-your-first-goat/
https://www.weedemandreap.com/raising-goats-milking-goats/
https://www.weedemandreap.com/choosing-goat-breed/
Most of the information in the articles is geared to those thinking about buying and raising goats, but it’s great info for everyone to know about! I hope this information helps. Good luck in TX and I hope the goats turn out to be great neighbors…oh and the people in your neighborhood too! 😉 Thanks -Bobbi (DaNelle’s Assistant)
Hi, this is my first time here. I am a Nigerian and recently developed interest in rearing goats. I have placed order for 5 does and a buck, my compound is small but I hope to get some grass and forage as well as kitchen left over plus grains. what do you think?
Hi Emmanuel-
Sounds like you are moving right along on planning for goats. Here are some really great articles DaNelle wrote that will give you the info you need.
https://www.weedemandreap.com/buying-milking-goats/
https://www.weedemandreap.com/how-much-space-need-raise-goats/
https://www.weedemandreap.com/supplements-for-goats/
https://www.weedemandreap.com/goats-minerals-what-you-need-to-know/
These articles will get you started. You can view the other great articles she has on the website once you get going. Best of luck. Thanks and Happy Goating! -Bobbi (DaNelle’s Assistant)
Hi there, I am confused on the section of not buying store bought goat feed. We have 9 goats and feed them all a Kalmbach goat feed. It is a grain and corn mixture, they LOVE it and they do not have diarrhea. So what kind of feed are you talking about? It has me nervous now!!! Also, do you have any tips on what to feed growing bucks? We are feeding them the same Kalmbach but know they need something specific for their infections they can get.
Thank you!
Hi Liz-
Sounds like you have quite the goat herd with 9 of those lovely little guys!
Goats do love grain. They think it’s delicious. However, grain in general, brand aside, is not what goats really need, and can even make some (mostly kids) sick. They need quality forage, through pasture or hay to keep their ruminate digestion working properly and to get adequate protein. Yes, grain will help increase weight and milk production and may not visibly upset your goat’s system. However, it is not what is recommended as they are grazing animals and should eat that way. You should provide minerals and supplementation to them, including your bucks. However, those that need the most attention to their diet are developing kids of any sex and breeding, birthing, and lactating does.
Here are some of DaNelle’s articles that talk about what minerals and supplements to provide:
https://www.weedemandreap.com/supplements-for-goats/
https://www.weedemandreap.com/goats-minerals-what-you-need-to-know/
https://www.weedemandreap.com/how-to-care-for-baby-goats/
I hope this information helps. Best of luck with you herd and Happy Goating! -Bobbi
Hi I am trying to get my mom to get me goats what kind of supplies and some things I should worry about and signs of sicknesses what about introuding them to my German shepard and we go on walks we live in Vermont so it has mountains and we take are dogs on walks can I take goats on the walk too
Hi Jordan-
So glad you are interested in goats! They are wonderful companions and do well with other animals. However, before getting goats you need to make sure you have enough time for them, space, proper fencing, and that your dog can tolerate them. It’s always best to introduce farm animals to a dog when they are puppies, but you can’t always make this happen. If your German Shepherd is an adult then you will need to introduce the dog to the goats in their habitat so they feel safe and the dog is less likely to be aggressive. Watch both your dog and your goats extremely closely to make sure the dog doesn’t attack the goats or vise versa (I have seen some very grumpy goats before).
Goats can be walked, much like a dog, if they are began on a harness and leash when they are kids. Do not do this with an intact buck, but rather with a whether or a doe. The smaller the breed of goat, the easier this usually is. However, I had a pretty stout Nubian doe that was great on a harness and could be lead just about anywhere. You do need to understand though, unlike dogs, goats do not wished to be walked long distances and will get very ornery or grumpy if walked too far. You have to remember they are farm animals, not house pets.
As for supplies, space needed, and some overall general goat information, check out DaNelle’s great articles on the subject! All of them are a must read if you are a beginning goater. Let me know if you have more questions and Happy goating! Thanks -Bobbi
https://www.weedemandreap.com/category/animals/goats/
We are about to purchase 2 goats. We live on 5 acres of grass, bush, weeds, and trees. I was wondering if I still needed to feed hay if they are forging on 5 acres all day? I know to add the salt/minerals but I was confused about the hay.
I think you should still give them hay I have guinea pigs and I give them hay too even though the get a cup of greens and regular food and water you should still give it for a little speacial treat
Hi Kelly-
While goats are ruminates and have a 4 compartment stomach, just like cattle, they do have shorter and quicker digestive systems, which allows them to eat large quantities of food to receive adequate nutrients. However, with their nimble little mouths and the ability to stand up on hind legs, goats are much more efficient at gleaning the highly nutritious parts of most plants, trees included. Being that your goats will be put on 5 acres, just for the 2 of them, you should have plenty of forage area and no need to supplement with hay, which can get expensive. However, if you have hard winters adding supplemental feedings may be necessary. You may also need to add more nutrition to a does diet if you are flushing her before breeding or wanting to help her increase milk production. To feed goats in the winter, or to get your doe ready for breeding or nursing/milking, the best addition to your goats diet is an excellent quality legume hay (i.e. alfalfa). This will keep their ruminate stomach moving and give them some needed protein.
And just as a note to brush up on, here is a great article of DaNelle’s that goes in how much space your caprine friends will need. https://www.weedemandreap.com/how-much-space-need-raise-goats/
I hope this helps. Thanks for the question and Happy Goating! -Bobbi
HI, we are think of getting 2 goats, and we are would like to know if its a good idea to use cables to tie them up so they can graze on the pastures, versus fencing . As long as there is not anything that they can get into and cause trouble or eat, I would think that it would be ok. Let us know your thoughts.
Thank You
Phil
Hi Phil,
People do that sometimes, but goats are so mischievous that they often get tied up and can strangle themselves. A better alternative would be a moveable electric fence.
It is also nicer to not tie them up Phil
Hi DaNelle,
We are planning on picking up 2 Nigerian Dwarf goats this weekend! We have 20 chickens, but first time goat keepers here, and really excited!
We have a good amount of land that we have fenced off an area for the goats and a small barn. I am planning on rotating them on the pastures, and was wondering if I can plant my own grasses for them to eat like alfafa, bermuda, Timothy, etc. If I plant and let it grow up, can the goats eat it fresh off the land or does it need to be harvested and dried out like the hay you buy in the store? Would I still need to purchase bales of hay doing it this way?
Thinking it would save us money to just grow it ourselves.
They’ll eat it fresh!
I live in the City and I have a decent sized backyard. Is it crazy for me to think about getting a goat?
Hi Ray. Perhaps this article will help? DaNelle
https://www.weedemandreap.com/how-much-space-need-raise-goats/
Many of the poisonous or less palatable plants can also be eaten by goats. Tapioca leaves, sweet potato leaves et cetera actually have cyanide, among other things. What you do is you put the feed in a pile and let it sweat it out in the heat for a day….
Then all is fine. I have observed this in vernacular towns where people keep a few goats around and cant exactly get the best, most succulent feed all the time.
But its best to to let them roam and graze, They will follow anyone with an apple.
Hi, I am very new to being a goat owner. I just got 2 Nigerian Dwarf females a few days ago. They are just under a year old and have not been tamed. At first they just ran from me and hid in their home. Now, they no longer run from me and one even pokes her head out to watch me in the yard. She seems curious and even a little playful. I know they are still anxious in general as they are adjusting to a new home, new people, dogs, and chickens. I have been offering hay and small portions of goat food. Today, I saw them eating a little, but not much. I haven’t actually seen them drink anything, although it is always available. How much should I expect them to eat and should I be concerned? I did de-worm them as the previous owner suggested. Thanks!
Hi Amie, I would say that they most likely are drinking if it’s available. I wouldn’t be too worried, most goats go through a bit of shock when they are first introduced to a new place. It’s common for them to go off feed a bit:)
DaNelle,
I love your blog. you convinced me to get goats and I live in Phoenix, so far we have not had any complaints, 2 mini-Nubian goats. I love it!!! I was wondering where you have found to get organic hay, or if you go for regular hay and organic pellets. I order from the coop in phoenix too but haven’t found a convenient good hay option.
thanks,
Hi Katie,
That’s the tough option here, finding organic hay. There was one supplier in Phoenix but they stopped selling. I’ll let you know if I find another one!
What grains specificly do I feed them? Or do you nustean goat feed? I couldn’t find an ingredients list on the feed link…
Any ruminant feed is fine:) We always try to find organic.
HI,
we have recently bought goats and have had them for around 3 months now. there are 2 female adults, 2 male kids and one female kid. we live in a lushish area with lots of weeds and things to nibble on. but recently they have been getting out around our fence and walking across teh road to get to the more lush grass.
this has become a problem and i was wondering if you know any specific reason, or it’s just they are adventurous looking for a more greener mean.
(we live in Upper kedron, Brisbane)
Thanks, Katelyn
The grass is always greener:) Animals will always try to explore new places, it’s just in their nature.
What you might do is place a collar on the goats and install a chain post in the ground with an appropriate length of light chain attached. This way the goat can roam but be restricted to your property if you do not have a fenced in area.
Hey
Your information was very helpful for me
By the way i have bought 2 goats (1 year old) of breed totapuri (one of indian breeds).
1st day they ate some grasses but after that they are not eating anything…
I tried all the fodders available in my city.
Help me for this please
I wouldn’t worry. They will eat grass or hay. Do you have alfalfa pellets in your area?
I might have some in my shed
Hi Danelle,
I’ve been really wanting to get a few Nigerian Dwarfs for some time. I can’t seem to find a single straight answer about feeding. I understand you feed pellets and hay. Why not just feed one or the other? Can a goat be healthy being fed only hay pellets and grain with mineral supplements? I would be getting does to milk if that plays a large role in what to feed. I’m just still a little unsure of what to feed. Any input or other articles/book recommendations would be greatly appreciated! Thanks.
Hi Chase,
The reason that people feed both pellets & hay is that the diversity is good for their digestive systems. The long stems in the hay really help keep a healthy rumen and the pellets usually have blend of grasses/hay to cover a wide range of nutrients. There are people that feed only pellets, but you’ll find that the hay really boosts the health of your goat:)
i know there are a lot of type of goat which type of goats would be the best to eat all vegetation on my 2 acres and will one or two goats do the job thanks
Hi Ionnie, any breed of goats will work, and you need to have at least two in order for them to be happy:)
A friend just asked me to take one of his goats, a pygmy, to my home. I have a few acres and the goat loved being alone and away from the bully goats that threatened her continually. So now she is the only goat but does have a pal who will not hurt her, my Jack Russell.
We recently bought two goats to help control the weeds on our property. My brother in law came by and fed the goats some apricots, and some apples from our fruit trees. The goats gobbled them down and seem to be doing just fine, but I was concerned that the pits may cause some blockage, or the fruit may not be good for them.
Hi Jay,
Goats will eat the entire pits of fruits and they do fine, although I wouldn’t give them it regularly.
Hello! Absolutely love your site, and this article. I was wondering, if I have cows and goats that eat grass hay, can my goats eat this as well? Would I have to supplement their diet?
Hi Danielle!
Yes, they will eat it, but a bit of alfalfa will give more protein and nutrients, and will help especially if you’re milking them:)
The Grain that you get for goats links to a Chicken feed? What Goat grain is it you get?
I have the correct link in there now:) Thanks!
Wow, I have had an interesting start to the goat life! I was trying to read thru as much as I could to find out this answer but did run around the answer! So with dew time you say bi annual but when I click on Molly’s site it seems like it is a daily thing!?! Are there two different ways you can administer?
It really depends on your area. We do once a week:)
Hello! We have one weather and will be getting new goats in spring, is there a any rules with integrating new goats in with others?? Thank you for all your help! Your blog is my go to source of info!!
Hi Ginger! I’m going to write a post on this! You need to keep the animals separate with just a fence between them for a day and then they’ll do much better together, though they definitely will headbutt at first.
Just thought I would pass along that goats will eat azalea leaves and they are deadly to them. I had read that once they ate and got sick from eating them they wouldn’t eat them again,but that isn’t true. So they generally know what they should and shouldn’t eat – but azaleas are an exception. A few leaves probably won’t hurt them, but if they strip and entire bush of the leaves you will have a vet bill and a week of follow up medication at best, and possibly a dead goat. 🙁
So true! Our buck got in to some azalea bushes and was vomiting. Thankfully, we treated him in time with a dose of Pepto Bismol and he was back to normal. Side note: Ruminants have only one stomach that is compartmentalized (rumen, omasum, abomasum, reticulum). Many people still believe the 4 stomachs myth!
Ihave 3 four month old Nubian. I feed them 2 flakes of alfalfa hay daily then they graze. I am wondering why they cry part of the day like they starving?
Hmmm, do they have enough water? Sometimes they act like this if you are feeding grain. They get spoiled and ask for it by being loud. They also will do this if you go out and feed them when they bleat. They learn that if they are loud, you’ll feed them. We feed them twice a day, making sure they have plenty, and we don’t let them train us to feed them:)
Hi,
I’m trying to learn as much as I can about goats and I was wondering what do you mean by two flakes? Is that two forks?
Thanks,
Melinda
A bale is divided into section, we call them flakes, but yes, if you were to take a pitchfork full, it would be the same amount.
I am interested in buying two Nigerian Dwarf goats and am trying to figure out what day to day feeding would look like. I am not planning to breed or show, more as pets than anything. I have surfed the internet and seem to come up short with my answer, your article has helped but I still have the question of : “should I feed them grain?”. I didn’t know if I could pass on grain since I won’t be breeding or showing. I want to have happy healthy goats and make sure I am raising them properly. If I don’t feed grain then do I need to provide any other specific Minerals?
Hi Cora,
I’ve got a good article here on minerals: https://www.weedemandreap.com/goats-minerals-what-you-need-to-know/
As far as grains go, goats aren’t designed to eat a lot of them because it can cause digestive problems and they tend to get sicker and have more worm problems. We only feed grain if we are milking them, they get about a cup at the stand.
I got 2 goats a fewcdays ago and have given them grain everyday as the orevious owner did, which now is see is not ideal. Should i give them baking soda to prevent bloat? I made a hay feeder outvof a barrel and they can eat it freely but dont seem to eat much, they can graze in their enclosure ehich is 138′ long by about 20′ wide butvdont seem to eat much that way either. Csn you give me a diet to follow. One is a noer snd the other is a mix and is much smaller. I wantvto stay as natural as possible. Thanks
Hi Susan,
In the article above, I have the diet they should eat laid out in bullet points:)
Didn’t see this question asked yet, may have overlooked it. So if this has been asked already, I apologize. Can goats eat yard clippings? Mine will be out in a pasture, actually a fallow meadow, and we bag the lawn clippings as additional feed. Is this OK for the goats? We have a Nubian mama and her baby right now.
Hi Richard,
This is totally fine! It starts to dry out rather quickly, so I’d recommend tossing it to them as fresh as possible:)
Will goats eat burr bushes like Arctium bur?
Hi Kim, I’m not sure, but I think it would be best to offer and see what they think, goats are incredibly intuitive and know what’s good/bad for them.
So would broccoli be OK??
Hi Lori,
Goats will eat broccoli, but more as a treat and not as a large part of their diet. The brassica vegetables (cabbage, broccoli, cauliflower) can cause bloating if goats eat too much.
I am researching goats as I had them as a child and would love to again. I have a vegetable garden, fruit trees, herbs, flowers, etc. and I saw in previous comments that they will eat herbs and then in another area that they won’t. Should I assume they will eat anything that we would find edible? Thank you.
Hi Gail,
Yes, that’s the assumption I always take. In my experience they’ll eat almost any foliage, but they actually do turn their noses up to most herbs.
Hello! I was wondering how much food your Nigerian Dwarf goat eat a day? My family and I are lined up for three goats next spring!!
They probably eat about a flake of hay a day:) or if you’re feeding pellets, that would equal to 8 cups.
Hi De Nelle
I am thinking about getting 2 females and 1 male goat to start with. I would like to know how often they can or will have babies and i have been told that most of the time they have 2 babies and not just one. is this true? Will they mate on their own or do you need to do something to get them to mate? I have a rice farm and have a lot of rice hay which is brown in color and has rice in it some times. Is this ok to feed them? I have long green grass that i feed my 2 cows, can i also feed the goats this?
How do i know what plants are poisonous?
i have read your website twice and will read it again and any time i feel i need to know some thing because your website has been very helpful to me.
Thank you again for everything.
Randy
Hi Randy,
Congrats! Goats can have 1-4 babies, typically. For breeding, check out this post here. Rice hay won’t provide enough nutrition for the goats. You can use it for bedding, though! The green grass will be a good option, but you’ll need to make sure their diet is well rounded.
Hi. So at the moment I have 3 goats (1 buck 2 pregnant does) and was wondering if i should get a wether I am debating because he is $50 but, he is bottle feed castrated and dehorned… So should I get him? And what is so great about a wether?
Hi Emily,
The reason most people purchase a wether is to have a companion for another goat. So, it might be a good idea for your buck. You could also wait until your does deliver and then when you get a buckling you can castrate him, then keep him with Mr. Buck:)
Will goats eat my creeping thyme ground cover?
Goats don’t typically like herbs, so my best guess is no with Thyme.
We are looking at getting fainting goats for our small farm. We have a good acer of over grown vines, trees, and grass. What else would I need to supplement them with? We are looking at 4-6 goats. Thanks!
Hi Cintheya, I have a blog post all about supplements! https://www.weedemandreap.com/supplements-for-goats/
Hi! My two goats got into my kids moon dough which is made of flour and baby oil. I am unsure how much of it they ate. Will they be ok? What should I watch for?
Hi Kathy,
You’ll want to watch for bloating or really any digestive distress.
Interesting article. For the few who are interested, here is the food list for the farm’s La Mancha milkers. Alfalfa is always in the feeder and they eat 1/2 to 1 chip a day depending on how much pasture time they get. The high protein alfalfa make the best milk but, as you said, goats enjoy variety so I throw in orchard grass or three way hay as a treat. In the milking stand the bucket has about 3 cups of oats and 3 cups of organic goat pellets, roughly 1/4 – 1/3 cup kelp (thanks to Joel Salatin for that tip), a small amount of diatomaceous earth and the palm of my hand covered in whole flax seed (I’m guessing that is around 1/8 cup). Adding the flax really brings the cream (fat) content of the milk up so our goat milk ice cream is just fantastic! After milking the goats are allowed to remain in the milking stand to eat and usually eat the entire bucket of food.
As to something they eat changing the flavor of the milk, all of them love mulberry leaves and if they get to a large enough amount of them we get noticeably leaf flavored milk! They also love to browse on buttons and, as the women here have discovered, silk blouses are definitely on the menu (that might relate to the mulberry leave thing). As for paper, DO NOT let them get within grabbing distance of your clipboard or your notes are gone!
I just picked up some goats and the man I bought my babies from just feeds 1 cup alfalfa seeds mixed with one cup sunflower seeds to his Lamancha’s twice a day during their milking, hay from his fields and minerals. They all seemed great not fat but not skinny. I Took his advise and I am feeding the other goats the same. I picked up a Nigerian/ pygmy cross nanny to feed the baby fresh milk instead of powdered. Sh was getting feed strictly goat pellets and treats, she was so bloated when we goat her now she looks beautiful. Although shes not a big fan of the sunflower seeds, I still put them in so she has to take longer to find the alfalfa pellets. She was never milked before we got her and her teats are tiny and point to the sides we only get about 2-3 cup per milking, really takes two to milk her you only have about a 15 min time frame until she has had enough. I’ve found that if you scratch her belly she stands there longer so I have my DD 4 or my DD 6 scratch her while I finish up. Thank you for the information you have provided its been helping us on our goat journey.
Can goats eat be feed a steady diet of baled corn stalks mixed with hay and forage ?
Hi Chris,
Goats love treats like baled corn stalks, but they problem is, if they eat a lot of a rich green stalk, they can get bloat. It’s more of a weekly treat than an everyday thing. If it’s dried, then they could have it every day, just watch their stomachs.
Hi I have about an acre of pasture and am thinking about getting 3 goats. We also have a few avocado trees nearby. The goats would have no direct access to the trees but leaves could blow into the pasture. How much of a problem this could be? If they eat a few avocado leaves, would that potentially hurt them?
Hi Kerry,
People say the avocado fruit is toxic to goats, although our goats have eaten the pits & peels just fine. I would say that if they have access to the leaves, they’ll be fine. Goats are good at knowing what is toxic and they’ll probably avoid them if they are bad for them. Our goats won’t eat citrus leaves during certain times of the year, but I trust they know what’s good for them!
Will goats eat Verbascum thapsus (The Indian toilet Paper Plant)?
Hi Sheila,
That’s a good question! My gut says no, since they don’t like odd, fuzzy textures, but I could be wrong!
In some places I have been the goats will eat the banana peels. Since I consume 30 or so bananas a day and am thinking of having a family of goats I am just wondering if you know if it is a good or bad idea to let them have the (mostly non organic I believe) banana peels? Also wondering the same about non organic mango peels and mango leftovers. It doesn’t really feel like “green browser food” but just thought I’d ask.
Hi David,
I would think that a few here and there are fine, I would just worry if it was a daily occurrence and that it might alter their rumen function:)
Ok, thanks DaNelle!
Can i grow my own goat deworming herbs? I find them a bit expensive at the store. And also I JUST bought a goat yesterday and her coat is very dry and has patches on it. She is also skinny so do those BOSS (Black Oil Sunflower Seeds) fatten her up?
Thanks
Anna
Hi Anna,
I haven’t tried to grow my own herbs for just goats, because I stick to the standard basil, cilantro, etc. herbs. Black Oil Sunflower Seeds would be more for a healthy coat. I would do some blood testing for diseases first, then check for lice and worms.
hi, i have a goat she deliver 3 kids .after one day my goat don’t eat anything grass,grains anything .i am worring .plz give me advice what i do for my goat.
Hi Faheem,
I would recommend taking her to the vet. If you can’t do that, you’ll need to assess her temperature and see if she has a fever and/or an infection.
This is very helpful we have just got 3 Nigerian Dwarf goats I find the feeding schedule very confusing. We can not get Hay here, but can get Alfalfa, some say too much alfalfa bad, I give
Goat feed mix cup each per day
Kitchen scraps
Vineyard cutting
Free browsing
Straw which they EAT!
and a Good armful of Alfalfa
Mineral Lick
Fresh Water
Any comments on this would be gratefully received
That sounds wonderful!
Hi we adopted 2 wethers about 4 weeks ago, they were born mid August. One is thriving but the other is small, no energy and needs bottle feeding every 3 hours. My wife has nursed him like a newborn and he sleeps in our room. He has a weak front leg which we have splinted. He’s nearly 6 weeks old now will this go on much longer?
6 weeks seems like he should be able to start having some independence. I would definitely get him checked out by the vet!
I have about an acre that is being over run with kudzu. Will goats eat kudzu? The land is bordered by a spring fed creek, will the goats drink the water and do I need to supplement the natural vegetation with grain? We are wanting to clear the area for a garden and will be moving the goats around on our property which is 4 acres.
An additional information will be appreciated,
Thanks
Lisa
Hey Lisa!
I had to google ‘kudzu’ to be sure what it was, but it looks like it’s from the pea family and I’m 97% positive goats will munch away on it! With goats, they have a pretty good sense of what’s poisonous or not, so you don’t have to worry about that either:)
DaNelle,
Thanks, kudzu is the scourge of the south! It can grow up to 1 foot a day, completing taking over any area. Ours is coming from across the creek that borders our land. It will kill out any other plant, including choking out trees!
We are currently working on putting up a fence for goats and chickens that we plan to purchase in the spring. I’m glad to know that they typically won’t eat poisonous plants. 🙂
Should I fence goats away from flower beds. I have a lot of native plants, including greens, for eating and medicinal purpose
Yes, I would definitely fence it off. Goats will most likely eat the herbs and flowers:)
🙂
I am thnking how to start goat production in a small area /1/2 hectar/ is that posible?
Totally doable! Half an acre can hold 4-6 goats!
I’ve had a couple whethers in the past and LOVED them! I’m looking into getting a couple milking does for the raw milk for my family. We had a dairy cow previously also that we milked, so I’m hoping between my experiences I’ll have a comfortable time with milking goats. Your information here is very helpful!
We live on a vineyard so our pasture space is limited, I’ve seen sheep grazing in vineyards when the vines are bare after the harvest, but there is plenty of weeds growing between the rows. Would goats do this alright or might they eat the vines themselves?? We also have about an acre thats an orchard with all kinds of fruit and nut trees including olives and citrus, I’m wondering if I could fence around the orchard and let them live there? Would any of the fallen fruit or nuts be harmful to them? There are lots of different weeds and grasses growing there I think they would like. Would they destroy the trees? There’s a couple prickly pear cactuses there too- would that be a problem? Sorry for many questions, I’m just trying to find the space to keep them so I can make this work!
Thanks!
Thanks for this interesting information. I have learned one or two things about goat feeding. Cheer’s
Hello I have a baby goat 4 MO old went out to feed this morning and 1 of the was laying and when I got her up she was very wobbly .I call the vet he seem to think she has polio. He said give her a a spin and some yogurt. I did of course she didn’t it. I was told to feed her grain hay and was giving her a cup of grain a day. So now that I found out there not suppose to have grain a cording to the vet. So what I wanted to know is there anything I can do to get her better. I’m so scared she isn’t going to make it.
Oh no! I’m so sorry to hear about your baby goat! I hope everything turns out okay:)
Hi!! I’m looking for a little help with our new little goat we’ll be bringing home in a couple of weeks. First of all we’re just getting the goat for the fun, for a pet for another little animal to go along with our dog, chickens, and rabbits. I’m looking for some answers to some questions. The woman we are buying her from says that we need to get another one so ours has a companion and I’m open to this idea of course. But another friend said that she would be fine and that her and my dog would be companions. I’m not sure about my dog. I’m going to introduce them slowly and I’m hoping my dog will take a motherly/protective role with her and someone she can run around with and have fun. Also, the goats are being fed things like Ritz crackers and Fruit Loops hoping they will fatten up a bit. I’m very much into the holistic,organic way to feed my animals. I love the suggestions about the 90% hay and !0% grain. What about kitchen scraps? Carrots, Apples, Celery, things like that. And do I need to worry about fattening her up? Since this is our first experience with goats, any and all suggestions, advice would be great. Thank you!
As far as the relationship with the goat and the dog, it’s really up to the goat. Most dogs are happy to be friends with goats, but some goats have different opinions on the matter 🙂 I wouldn’t worry about fattening her up! Our goats eat MOSTLY alfalfa/bermuda and do very well!
Have you ever sprouted your own fodder for your goats or considered doing so? Wondering your thoughts on it.
I’ve tried it, but haven’t had much success because it’s too hot here in AZ:)
Had some leftover honey in a pie plate after feeding the bees on a warm winter day- thought I’d offer the goats to Lick the plate- clean- they backed away in horror !
Think there actually vegan ??
Yep, goats are herbivores!
I have a goat that loves to eat bread and Cheetos!! If I have a bag outside and he sees me eating Cheetos he will just about jump the fence to get some!
Just to clarify. Goats and other ruminants do not have 4 stomachs as is often thought. They have 1 stomach with 4 chambers to that stomach.
Yes! Thank goodness I’m not the only person that knows this, lol
Hi! I have just two goats and am wondering if allowing them to range all over a large bit of acreage where we have copious amounts of Canada Thistle, which has the same nutritional value as alfalfa, would be sufficient for them in green months. They go absolutely bonkers for the thistle, too.
Hi! I don’t have goats yet but we have a plan to in the near future!
I read online that diatameceous earth is an effective dewormer. Have you thought about it? It’s also a great way to keep bugs from eating your plants in your gardens and is completely harmless for goats (and humans!)
Why give bermuda pellets if you have bermuda pasture?
That does seem crazy, doesn’t it? We thought the same thing and tried to force our goats to graze on the bermuda, but they aren’t in love with it. They will eat bermuda when it’s mixed with another thing like alfalfa, so we feed alfalfa/bermuda pellets. They still nibble a bit on the bermuda, but not a lot:)
Where do you purchase pellets? And are they specifically FOR goats or are they a generic feed?
I give my goats freshly chopped garlic each week as a dewormer. 🙂
How much garlic do you give them?
A great resource for natural goat care (focusing on plant based remedies for everything including essential oils and herbs) is the TotallyNaturalGoats group on Facebook. It is a closed group and you must ask to join. The group limits discussion to only natural methods (their thinking is that there is enough information out there for folks who want to raise their animals conventionally) and we personally have seen a great improvement in our herd overall by implementing some of the things we’ve learned there (such as using a plant based source of minerals for better absorbtion, etc.) Another good source of information is Kat Drovdahl’s “Accessible Pet” book. Her Fir Meadow la manchas and toggs speak volumes to the effectiveness of a natural approach to managing livestock.
What a great resource, I’ll check it out!
I used to tell people “Oh don’t mind the goats, they wont actually eat your shoes/pants/shirt/etc. They’ll just try to nibble with their front teeth.” Until one day I had on a very long, very flowy skirt and while I was petting a baby goat, my buck came up and ate the bottom of it in about 10 seconds!! Chomp chomp chomp and 1/4 of my skirt was gone before I even knew what was happening! Lol, I still tell people they are picky eaters but it turns out they LOVE cotton 🙂
HAHA! That’s hilarious!
FYI for large-busted women:
Don’t hang over the fence to check a feeder while wearing a forest camo t-shirt bra-less.
Hi DaNelle,
I love your website and blog. I find it all very informative.
I live in Queensland, Australia and I have been breeding, milking and showing goats since 1985..I have been using Pat Coleby’s methods all that time for my various farms we have owned. As well as my goats, sheep, horses and cattle.In case you haven’t heard about her she has written many books on natural farming and naturally raising animals and pets. Please search for information about her on the internet, you will find her information very interesting. I found her in the days before the internet and have met her several times and spoken to her on the phone. She is a grand lady and has done so much for farm animals around the world.
Cheers, Sandra Davern
Thanks for the tip!
I am wondering how you approach the ‘free choice’ style of feeding for hay. I have goats and it seems that if I put hay out they eat it all until it is gone… Would they just self regulate after figuring out it’s always going to be there? Also, I know you have mentioned you have a Bermuda pasture, but what has been your experience with feeding Bermuda hay? Mine will not touch it. At all. They look at me like I’m out of my mind! They eat orchard hay just fine though. After they have picked out all the alfalfa of course…
Oh I should have clarified better. We feed the (alfalfa/bermuda) pellets free choice, but the actual alfalfa hay is about 1/2 flake per day per (Nubian) goat.
Haha, our goats are pretty picky about Bermuda as well unless it’s mixed with alfalfa in the pellets:)
I haven’t read all the comments, so maybe you answer this further down, but how many pellets do they go through per month? If I put pellets out for my goats the CHOW DOWN like they have never eaten before and will never eat again. I have found if I leave the twine on a bale of hay they have to work hard enough to eat it they go through it slower.
I would say that one Nubian (full-sized) goat would eat about 8-10 cups of pellets a day. It is best to supplement as well with some hay:)
Love me some goats!
For goats, chelated loose minerals are actually a much better choice than block minerals. Blocks are better suited for rougher-tongued animals who can get the required amount more easily than a smooth-tongued goat. I’ve actually switched my goats over to an all-herb based mix, Dr. Christoper’s Vitalerbs formula, mixed with kelp. They’re doing so well on it!
As for kitchen scraps, check the list of poisonous plants first… for example, stone fruits are toxic for goats. 🙂
My buck loves peaches (they all do!) he would chew all the peach up, suck it off the seed and spit it out.
Is it the seed inside the pit that is poisonous? I know it is for humans too right?