Goat Feed: Your 5-Minute Guide

If you’re looking for info on what to feed your goats you’re in the right place! I

Some people think that goats can exist by eating just trash and cans. But to make a profit on your goats, the animals need to be fed properly. Both dairy and meat goats need to get enough nutrients to produce milk or increase mass.

A Note About Goat Feed, Grains, and Supplements

You can raise goats without ever buying goat feed. You can raise goats without ever giving your goats any store bought feed whatsoever. You can raise goats without ever feeding them grains. You can raise goats without ever providing any supplements. You may raise goats and never encounter the need to bottle feed a baby goat.

Your particular situation will determine if you need to supplement hay, pasture and forage feeding with grains, feed, and/or supplements.

South African Boer Goats – Average Weight By Age

Boer goats, renowned for their meat production qualities and adaptability, are a popular breed among livestock farmers and enthusiasts. Understanding the size and weight of Boer goats at different ages is essential for proper management and monitoring of their growth. In this article, we explore the typical size and weight of Boer goats at various stages of their development.

Birth to 3 Months

At birth, Boer goat kids usually weigh between 5 to 9 pounds (2.3 to 4.1 kilograms) on average. During the first three months, these kids experience rapid growth, fueled by their mother’s milk and early solid food consumption. By the end of this period, Boer goat kids can typically weigh anywhere from 20 to 40 pounds (9 to 18 kilograms).

3 Months to 6 Months

Between the ages of three to six months, Boer goats continue to grow steadily. During this stage, their diet transitions from primarily milk to a combination of milk, forage, and concentrated feed. The average weight of Boer goats at six months of age ranges from 45 to 80 pounds (20 to 36 kilograms), depending on various factors such as genetics, nutrition, and overall health.

6 Months to 12 Months

From six to twelve months of age, Boer goats undergo significant growth and development. This stage is crucial for achieving a robust body structure and preparing the goats for future breeding or meat production. Boer goats at one year old typically weigh between 70 to 120 pounds (32 to 54 kilograms), with some individuals potentially surpassing these ranges based on their genetics and management practices.

1 Year to 2 Years

As Boer goats transition from yearlings to adults, their growth rate slows down compared to their earlier months. During this period, their diet consists of a combination of forage, concentrated feed, and supplemental minerals. Boer goats at 1 to 2 years of age generally range in weight from 90 to 180 pounds (41 to 82 kilograms), depending on factors such as genetics, nutrition, and gender.

Adulthood

Boer goats reach their full size and weight once they reach adulthood, typically between 2 to 3 years of age. At this stage, the average weight of adult Boer goats ranges from 180 to 300 pounds (82 to 136 kilograms) for does (females) and 200 to 340 pounds (91 to 154 kilograms) for bucks (males). However, it’s important to note that individual variations can occur, and some goats may exceed these weight ranges based on genetics and management.

They typically start out at 5-6 kilos, and often gain a couple of hundred grams a month. Animals checked at 6 or 7 months weigh an average of 80 pounds.

Goat feed is quite important for meat breeds. Unlike dairy goats, these animals were developed to pack on muscle for the best quality of meat possible. Dairy goats may start out quite plump as kids, but typically grow leaner as time passes.

The right goat feed is essential to support and produce good quality meat. Boer goats primarily eat grazing and browsing plants. But they do need something extra to make sure they reach the right weight quickly and stay healthy.

FAQ’s

How long do you bottle feed a baby goat?

Baby goats should only be bottle-fed if they’re orphaned or if they’re not getting along with the rest of herd. If they need to be bottle-fed, start weaning them off it when they’re 12 weeks old.

What do you feed a baby goat?

Right after birth, baby goats will get their food from their mother. Aside from this, kids can eat small amounts of grain, hay, and pasture. As they get older, their main source of food will be hay.

If for some reason the mother is not available, you can bottle feed baby goats with whole cows milk from the grocery store. Adjusting for your baby goat’s appetite, your schedule, and how much solid food the baby is eating, the following guide is a good place to start for how much and when to bottle feed your baby goat:

How much milk do you feed a baby goat?

Week 1:

• Week 1: 4 oz. every 2-4 hours

Week 2-4:

• Week 2-4: 6 oz. every 4 hours

Week 4-5:

• Week 4-5: 8 oz. 4 times a day

Week 5-6:

• Week 5-6: 8 oz. 3 times a day

Week 7-10:

• Week 7-10: 10 oz. 2 time a day

Week 10-12:

• Week 10-12: 1 bottle a day

How much hay do you feed a goat?

Alfalfa hay is the most common hay used to keep goats fed. It has all the protein your goats need to stay healthy. Goats should eat about 2-3 pounds of hay twice a day.

How often do you feed a baby goat?

Goats will roam around and graze pastures all day long. You should only feed them twice a day. Additionally, goats should have access to fresh, clean water daily.

How much is goat feed?

Goat feed can cost anywhere between $9 – $12 for a 50-pound bag.

How much grain should you feed a goat per day?

Grains should make up about 20% of a goat’s diet at most. They don’t necessarily need grains and can survive without them.

What do you feed a pregnant goat?

Pregnant does need a surplus of nutrients and water when they’re expecting. Adding alfalfa to the diet of a pregnant goat is a great way to increase her protein intake. Grains may be added or increased to help with the added energy requirements of a pregnant goat. However, make sure to avoid overeating to prevent pregnancy complications.

Where do you buy goat feed?

Goat feed can be bought online and at your local supermarket. You can also find the feed at your nearest pet store. You can also save a bit of money and feed your goats cattle feed instead.

What should you feed a goat to help them gain weight?

Grains are full of carbohydrates that will quickly fatten up your goat. However, they’re not the healthiest food for them. To balance it out, also increase the amount of protein, vitamins, and grass that your goat eats.

What do I feed goat does before breeding?

2 months before breeding, you should increase the amount of food that your bucks and does are eating. Increasing the number of grains your doe gets will help improve her ovulation rates.

What should you give a goat before breeding?

Honestly, it’s not like goats need anything special to breed. On the other hand, making sure that they’re getting plenty of nutrients and supplements (optional) will help make the breeding process easier and more efficient.

What is the Best Goat Feed for Meat Goats:

Meat goats are easily sustained with plenty of nutritious and pesticide-free pastures. Goat feed should only be used during times when the pastures are having difficulty growing, like during the winter.

• When you’re looking for the best feed to give you goat, keep these things in mind:
• Goat feed, over time, can be expensive. Cattle feed is just as good as goat feed, and it’s cheaper.
• The feed you choose should have at least 18% fiber. This will reduce the risk of digestive problems.
• Meat goats need feed that contains lots of minerals. These minerals will help them gain weight and stay healthy.
• Acorns are a great source of nutrition for your meat goat. They contain an organic substance, known as Tannin, which helps fight off parasites. Acorns will ensure that your goat is gaining a healthy amount of weight.

What is the Best Goat Feed for Dairy goats

Dairy goats need to eat about 5% of their body weight each day. The feed that they eat needs to be high in protein, energy, and minerals. Also, plenty of clean water is essential to the health and development of your dairy goat.

If your goat is milking, incorporating alfalfa pellets in their diet will ensure that your goat is getting enough calcium. Additionally, oats will help them maintain their weight during the milking season.

Now, if you want to be absolutely sure about what your diary goat is eating, then you can make your own goat feed mix. Some general ingredients that you can include in your own mixture include:

• Wet Molasses
• Oats
• Corn
• Goat mineral mix
• Beet pulp
• Soybean meal

Giving your dairy goat the proper nutrients will not only guarantee their health but will also boost the quality of the milk that they produce.

Show goats

Before you buy any feed for your show goat, you need to determine what it is that you want to improve in your goat. Do you want them to have better muscle mass? Do you want your goats to have higher fat levels? Answering questions such as these will help you narrow down your choices, and pick the perfect feed for your show goat.

Every goat is different, and every goat farmer has their own opinion about which feed is the best. Picking the right feed for your goat all depends on what your show goats need. Here are a few tips to help you get an idea of what you should look for when choosing your feed.

• Find a feed that’s high in protein. Protein will help strengthen the muscles and improve your goat’s muscle tone.
• Make sure the feed you choose has plenty of minerals, vitamins, and fiber.
• Do your research on the brand you’re looking at to ensure that they’re using organic ingredients in their products.

As it was mentioned before, make sure that your goat is getting a good amount of fresh, clean water daily. Water is the best thing you can give your goats to keep them healthy and show ready.