Feeding Goats: What to Feed and What to Avoid - Essential Diet Guide for Healthy Caprines

Goats are popular farm animals known for their hardy nature and adaptability. Feeding goats properly is key to keeping them healthy and productive. A goat's diet should consist mainly of forage like hay and pasture grasses, supplemented with grains and minerals as needed. This provides the fiber, protein, and nutrients goats require. For specific hay recommendations, check out our guide on best hay for goats.

Goats enjoy variety in their diet. They can eat many types of plants, but some foods are harmful. Safe options include grass hay, alfalfa, browse plants, and small amounts of grains or pelleted feed. Goats should not eat moldy hay, chocolate, avocado, or poisonous plants like poison ivy. Learn more about toxic plants in our guide about toxic plants for goats. Fresh, clean water must always be available.

Young kids have different nutritional needs than adult goats. Kids start with milk or milk replacer before transitioning to solid foods. Pregnant and lactating does need extra nutrients to support reproduction. Following proper feeding guidelines helps goats thrive at every life stage. For breed-specific feeding requirements, see our best dairy goat breeds guide.

Understanding Goat Dietary Needs

Goats have unique nutritional needs as ruminants. Their diet must support their complex digestive system and provide essential nutrients for health and production. Different breeds may have varying needs - learn more in our best goat breeds for beginners guide.

The Ruminant Digestive System

Goats are ruminants with four stomach compartments. The rumen is the largest part, where microbes break down plant matter. This process lets goats get nutrients from tough plants other animals can't digest.

Goats chew cud to further break down food. They swallowed, regurgitated, and rechew their food several times. This helps them extract more nutrients from their diet. Regular hoof trimming and proper care are essential for maintaining healthy goats that can move around to graze effectively.

A healthy rumen needs a mix of fiber, protein, and energy. Too much grain can upset the rumen's balance and cause health issues. A diet based on forage keeps the rumen working well. Watch for signs of digestive problems, which can lead to common goat diseases.

Essential Nutrients for Goat Health

Goats need a balanced diet with key nutrients for good health. Protein is vital for growth and milk production. Energy from carbohydrates fuels their body functions. For dairy goats like Saanen and Nubian, proper nutrition is crucial for milk production - learn more in our guide about raising goats for milk.

Fiber is crucial for proper digestion. Goats should get most of their fiber from hay or pasture. Vitamins and minerals support various body processes.

Calcium and phosphorus are important for strong bones and milk. Goats need the right balance of these minerals. Salt helps with water balance and nerve function.

Copper is another key mineral for goats. They need more copper than sheep do. A good mineral mix made for goats will have the right amount of copper.

Feed Types and Selection

Goats need a mix of feeds for good health. The right types help them grow and make milk. Picking the right feed is key for happy, healthy goats.

Forages: Hay and Pasture

Hay and pasture are the main foods for goats. Fresh grass, weeds, and leaves make up pasture. Goats love to browse and eat many plants. In winter, hay takes the place of fresh plants.

Good hay for goats includes:

• Alfalfa
• Timothy
• Clover

Hay should be green and smell nice. Avoid moldy or dusty hay. Let goats graze on grass when possible. This helps them stay active and healthy.

Grains and Concentrates

Grains give goats extra energy. They're good for pregnant or nursing goats. Some common grains are:

• Oats
• Barley
• Corn

Grains should be a small part of a goat's diet. Too much can cause health issues. Mix grains with other feeds for balance.

Pellets are another option. They have grains and other nutrients. Pellets are easy to use and store.

Supplements and Minerals

Goats need extra vitamins and minerals. These help with growth and health. Key minerals for goats are:

• Salt
• Calcium
• Phosphorus

Offer a salt block or loose minerals. Make sure goats always have access to these. Some areas may need extra selenium or copper.

Protein supplements can help some goats. Young, growing goats often need more protein. Soybean meal is a good protein source.

Always give fresh, clean water. Goats drink more when it's hot or if they're making milk.

Feeding Different Breeds and Life Stages

Goats have varied nutritional needs based on their breed and life stage. Proper feeding helps dairy goats produce milk, meat goats grow, and lactating goats stay healthy.

Dairy Goats and Nutrient Intake

Dairy goats need diets high in protein and energy to support milk production. They should eat good quality hay and grain mixes with 16-18% protein. Alfalfa hay works well for dairy goats.

Calcium is key for milk production. Add limestone or dicalcium phosphate to grain mixes if needed. Provide free-choice minerals made for dairy goats.

Dairy breeds like Saanen and Alpine goats eat more than other types. They may need 5-7 pounds of hay and 2-3 pounds of grain daily when milking heavily.

Meat Goats and Growth Requirements

Meat goats need diets that support fast growth and muscle gain. Young meat goats should eat high-protein feeds with 16-18% protein.

Good pasture is important for meat goats. Rotate pastures to give fresh forage. Supplement pasture with hay in winter.

Boer goats and other meat breeds need more feed than dairy goats. Growing kids may eat 3-4% of their body weight daily. Adult meat goats often need 2-3% of their weight in feed each day.

Feeding Lactating Goats

Lactating goats have very high nutrient needs. They need lots of energy, protein, calcium, and water to make milk.

Grain mixes for milking goats should have 16-18% protein. Feed 1 pound of grain for every 3 pounds of milk produced. Offer free-choice alfalfa hay.

Give lactating goats plenty of clean, fresh water. A milking doe may drink 3-4 gallons daily. Check water often.

Adjust feed as milk production changes. Reduce grain as milk output drops to prevent weight gain.

What to Feed Goats

Goats need a varied diet to stay healthy. A mix of forage, hay, and some grains gives them the nutrients they need.

Creating a Balanced Diet Plan

Forage should be the main part of a goat's diet. Let goats graze on grass, weeds, and leaves when possible. In winter or when pasture isn't available, give them high-quality hay. Alfalfa hay and orchard grass hay are good choices.

Goats also need some grain. A feed with 14-18% protein works well for most goats. Oats are a good grain option. Give adult goats 2-5 pounds of feed per day, split into two meals.

Don't forget water and minerals. Fresh, clean water should always be available. Offer a goat-specific mineral mix free choice.

Safe Treats and Snacks for Goats

Goats enjoy treats, but give them in small amounts. Safe options include:

• Apple slices (no seeds)
• Carrots
• Banana peels
• Pumpkin
• Watermelon rinds

Avoid treats high in sugar. Never feed goats chocolate, avocado, or onions. These can be harmful.

Some goat owners use a small amount of sweet feed as a treat. Use it sparingly, as it's high in sugar.

Remember to introduce new foods slowly to avoid stomach upset. Always check that treats are free from mold or rot before feeding.

Common Feeding Mistakes to Avoid

Goat owners often make feeding errors that can harm their animals' health. These mistakes range from offering toxic foods to overfeeding. Knowing what to avoid is key to keeping goats healthy and happy.

Foods Toxic to Goats

Goats can't eat everything. Some common plants and foods are dangerous for them. Wilted cherry, peach, and plum leaves can cause serious harm. Nightshade and pokeweed are also toxic to goats.

Never feed goats cat or dog food. These foods are made for meat-eaters, not plant-eaters like goats. They can make goats very sick.

Moldy hay or grain can be deadly. Always check feed for signs of spoilage before giving it to goats.

Some garden plants are risky too. Azaleas, rhododendrons, and yew are poisonous to goats. Keep goats away from these plants in yards and pastures.

Overfeeding and Obesity Risks

Giving goats too much food can lead to big problems. Overweight goats face health risks like pregnancy issues and joint pain.

Grain is often the culprit in overfeeding. Goats mainly need hay and pasture. Too much grain can cause bloat and other digestive troubles.

Watch body condition closely. A goat should feel firm, not squishy, when you touch its sides. You should be able to feel ribs but not see them.

Adjust feed amounts based on a goat's age, size, and activity level. Pregnant and nursing goats need more food than others.

Don't forget about water. Fresh, clean water is crucial. Goats drink more in hot weather or when eating dry food.