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Feeding Your Goat
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Common Sense
Meat Goat-Nutrition
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Nutrient Requirements
for Goats
• Water
• Energy
• Protein
• Fats
• Minerals
• Vitamins
Water
• Though the cheapest of the nutrients it is
commonly the most overlooked.
– Intake (need) varies by . . .
• Moisture in feed
• Goats should be given free choice to clean
fresh water at all times.
• A mature goat will consume between ¾ to 1
½ gallons per day.
• As temperatures increase over 70 degrees
water intake will climb substantially
• If water intake is decreased feed intake will
also be decreased.
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Requirements: Mature Doe
Maintenance 110 vs 132
Body
Weight (lb) DMI (lb) TDN (lb) CP (lb) TDN (%) CP (%)
110 2.18 1.17 0.15 53.6 6.9
132 2.51 1.32 0.17 52.6 6.8
Important Points
The highest energy requirement time
for the Doe is late pregnancy
This is different than with the ewe and
cow.
Watch feed intake carefully with
pregnant does
Don’t let Does get too fat.
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Practical Dietary Recommendations for Feeding Goats.
Class of Goat % Protein %TDN
Growing kids, dry does, and bucks 9-10 54-58
Pregnant goats 10-11 56-60
Lactating goats 12-13 62-68
Source: Pinkerton and Pinkerton, 2000
Acidosis occurs when goats eat too much feed with high
levels of starch or sugar. This includes grains, grain by-
products and vegetable parts. This makes the rumen more
acidic and gives the goat a stomach ache.
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Enterotoxemia is caused by an organism that is normally present in the intestine of
goats. When a goats feeding schedule is changed suddenly or large amounts of grain
are consumed the organism will grow rapidly and produce a toxin that causes death in a
few hours.
Urinary Calculi is found only in male animals. Similar to kidney stones in humans, this
disease is the formation of stones in the urinary tract. Calculi results from high
phosphorus levels and an imbalance of phosphorus and calcium levels in the feed
ration. Make sure that feed rations have a 2:1 calcium:phosphorus ratio, and 10 to 15
pounds of ammonium chloride per ton of feed. This, along with plenty of fresh drinking
water will help to prevent calculi from forming.
Coccidiosis is caused by a tiny parasite which lives in the cells of the goat’s intestine.
The severity of the disease depends on the number of parasites living in the intestines.
If the diseased goat becomes stressed the symptoms become worse and other
diseases may be contracted.
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Soremouth is a viral disease found in sheep and goats. The virus can live for long
periods of time in the soil and equipment in a barn or corral. The symptoms are thick,
scabby sores that can be found on the lips and gums of an animal. In severe cases the
sores can be found on the udders of does. These sores are painful and make nursing
impossible. Adult goats will develop immunity to a disease if they are continually
exposed to the virus. A vaccine can be given to kid goats within a month of age. Once
an animal has developed the disease, treatment is of little help. Softening ointment on
the sores may be helpful. Most importantly make sure that the animal is still eating and
drinking water.
Caseous lymphadenitis (CL) can be contracted when goats eat contaminated feeds or
through breaks in the skin. There is even some proof that the bacteria can enter
unbroken skin. The disease is caused by a fairly common bacteria found in the soil.
Aging Goats
Teeth
By
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