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Maggie Leman
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Username: maggieleman

Post Number: 1460
Registered: 07-2005
Posted From: 71.111.230.109


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Posted on Monday, November 20, 2006 - 08:18 pm:   

Good time to take the grain out of their diets I would say. They do get very pushy about their "candy". I am very glad they are getting better, goats were really meant to eat forage, not grain. I sure wish I could get good alfalfa here, but it is almost 20.00 a bale for the good stuff. At least our grass hay is of very good quality but alfalfa just doesn't do well this far south (NC).

BTW a nubian/pygmy cross is called a Kinder (rhymes with tender) goat. They are supposed to be a cross between a pygmy buck and a nubian doe (not the other way around). The breed has a registry (for goats from registered parentage). They were created in Washington state. They are an excellent dual purpose goat, very hardy and disease resistant due to hybrid vigor. Loved the picture!
Maggie Leman
Goat 911 Capri Medic
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Janna Ives
New member
Username: clyde4_17

Post Number: 5
Registered: 11-2006
Posted From: 65.19.247.125

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Posted on Monday, November 20, 2006 - 08:10 pm:   

Well they are just recovering from the corn overload and are hungry and when I offered a little grain they didn't even want it. So I gave them an alfalfa flake and a grass flake. They tore into the alfalfa like I'd been starvin' them their whole lives. I don't know if it is just that they havent' eaten for 4 days or what. But if they don't want the grain I'd just as soon stop feeding it if I can. Not so much as the price, but more as it turns them into grain junkies. My little boy is about 60lbs and when he gets pushy I get pushed. They both were like little freaks when I fed the grain.

P.S. Maggie I want to thank you very much for your help and advice the other day. Those two are truely my "kids". I don't know what I'd have done without your help. My vet has no experience with goats and is reluctant to help when I need it. SO thank you!!!

http://new.photos.yahoo.com/firstbornchild1983/album/576460762320515106/photo/29 4928803212530810/4
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Maggie Leman
Moderator
Username: maggieleman

Post Number: 1459
Registered: 07-2005
Posted From: 71.111.230.109


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Votes: 0 (Vote!)

Posted on Monday, November 20, 2006 - 08:00 pm:   

Actually it is the digestion of long stem forage and hay that creates the most heat and keeps goats (and horses, and cows, and sheep) warm during cold weather. You might want to offer some grass hay for variety, many goats like a mixed grass and alfalfa. Your goats may not even need grain at all if the hay is of high quality. Pet goats that are grown and not expected to breed or make kids do not need grain most of the time. Of course they love grain, just like people love good bread.

Most loose minerals have the instructions to offer no other source of salt, check the directions on yours. Most mineral mixes have salt added to attract the livestock into eating it. Offering palin salt they often opt for that and don't consume the minerals they need.
Maggie Leman
Goat 911 Capri Medic
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Janna Ives
New member
Username: clyde4_17

Post Number: 4
Registered: 11-2006
Posted From: 65.19.247.125

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Posted on Monday, November 20, 2006 - 07:51 pm:   

What is the advantage to feeding a goat mix grain? Is it okay to just feed high quality alfalfa and have their loose minerals and salt. Does grain need to be fed year round? I have two pygmy/nubian cross goats that are my pets and during the summer I let them graze what they wanted and gave them some grass hay at night when they were in their pen. I was told that grain helps in the winter for energy and warmth. Any truth to that? They love the grain and I only feed about 1/2 lb per head per day. Just curious.

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