The Accidental Smallholder Forum

Livestock => Goats => Topic started by: Penninehillbilly on November 26, 2015, 11:36:10 am

Title: Boers & minerals (&feed?)
Post by: Penninehillbilly on November 26, 2015, 11:36:10 am
Hi
I keep both dairy and boer goats, they all get Caprivite.
Just wondering if other boer keepers feed supplements or if I could be overdoing it with say, calcium while dams are not in kid or suckling?
While I'm at it, what do others feed boers between weaning/kidding?  I tend to feed about half pound a day coarse mix because that's what the big girls get, but do they need that ? Following discussions with a friend would they be better on beef nuts?

Title: Re: Boers & minerals (&feed?)
Post by: cuckoo on November 26, 2015, 03:07:39 pm
Hi - I am in East Yorkshire. I keep Boers and Golden Guernseys.  The boer goats I have fed beef nuts then moved to dairy nuts then onto a specific goat grower and finisher pellet.  The beef nuts seemed fine but are big for kids so had to get calf or lamb pellets too. I have got best results with the goat grower and finisher (GLW 18% CP £265 tonne delivered on a pallet in 25kg bags) and not so good with the dairy nuts.  The goat feed from GLW is pellet so I feed from start to finish and then also can feed all the stock one product.  The GG doe I had this year kidded and naturally raised twins on this feed but as I want to milk her next year I plan to speak to the nutritionist at GLW to see if their goat grower and finisher is suitable for her. Goats need cattle level of vitamin pre-mix not sheep.  I do know someone who feeds a sheep feed with a cattle premix in it.  I have used Caprivite and whelst I am sure it is a good product - with the number of goats I have it is not practicable to top dress their feed individually.  A balanced compound product is much better I feel.  I also give my goats access to red rockies and a mineral bucket (cattle supalyx GP one) and this year on the goat grower finisher they have not touched them.  BATA at amotherby also do a goat grower finisher pellet 16% but 2 tonne min order not as practical as the GLW. Hope this helps.
PS this summer I have fed all stock throughout the summer about 1/3lb each - they have never looked better!
Title: Re: Boers & minerals (&feed?)
Post by: Penninehillbilly on November 26, 2015, 07:19:19 pm
Thanks cuckoo, very useful
BTW for 'big girls' I should have put Toggenburg,  not meaning adults.