Now that you have Nubian goats you need to be prepared for their eating habits. What feed should you have on-hand? Aren’t goats the same as any other animal? Sorry no goats are goats, and their diet can be very different, than another livestock animal. Please Note: this is written from the Nubian goat perspective as I have not dealt personally with the other breeds.
Let’s first look at some of the myths about goats:
Myth – Many believe “goats are grass grazers”. This is False/Myth. They will nibble on grass, but they are not grass grazers. Especially when the grass is short and cut. If the grass is longer that is different.
Myth – Many believe “goats will eat anything”. This is False/Myth. Goats can actually be quite picky eaters. Once they make up their mind that they do not like something it is hard to get them to change their minds.
Myth – Many believe hay on the ground they will eat. This is False/Myth. Most goats once they have taken hay and put in on the ground. Stepped on etc. they will ignore it. They will not choose to eat it. So you are much better to have hay up higher (chest level) so they will eat it.
Myth – Goats “eat the food above the ground”. This is True/Fact, depending on what it is. Goat love to eat the bark off trees, bushes, virtually any greenery that is safe for them at their body level. By “body level” I mean anything that they can physically reach. If there is a tree in front of them they will eat the bark (sadly killing the tree) and all the leaves and smaller branch twig material that they can get. They will stand on anything to be able to reach all they can of that tree or bush. Simply said goats are “browsers”.
So What Should I Feed?
So now that we know some things that are myths or facts, what do goats eat? Goats need a diet based on high-quality forage. That forage can be longer grass, good-quality hay (especially second-cut (especially for a milking goat), alfalfa), and the ability to be a browser for leaves, smaller branches, twigs. They always need to have access to fresh, clean water.
They should have access to a good mineral for goats, loose salt in warmer weather especially, and baking soda (don’t worry they will know when they need the baking soda!).
Does a Goat Need Grain?
There are feed mixes (grain) which you can purchase for goats. But do they need it, is the question? Grains are needed in small amounts for a growing goats (kids), a pregnant goat, or milking goats. You do not have to give a grain to a wether (casterated male) or buck. I feed a grain that is formulated as “dairy ration” because I am milking my goats.
Just try to remember a goat is a natural browser. They do prefer shrubs, weeds, leaves, good pasture etc. However, also remember they will destroy whatever is in their path. That is why so many people bring goats in to clear land on their homesteads. Their digestive system thrives on roughage!
When Is Roughage Not the Best?
A milking goat is where you want to watch the roughage your goat eats. Not because they can’t have it, but because it will change the taste of the milk. If your milking goat is eating cedar, for example, it will change the taste of the milk. I have my goats for milk on our homestead, so my milking goats are not put in a pasture to eat the roughage they want, instead the roughage they receive I give to them knowing how it will affect their milk. For example apple tree branches they love and it doesn’t affect their milk. Just make sure what you are feeding them is not sprayed with any harmful chemicals.
Treats Per Se for your Goats
What other food items do goats like? My goats love bananas, banana peels, apples, grapes, pumpkin (natural wormer with the seeds), squashes, carrots, green beans, sprouts, lettuce, black oiled sunflower seeds, and soaked beet pulp. There are probably other food items yours might like just search to make sure they are on the safe list for goats and let your goats enjoy the variety. They will thrive for you and look forward to the good healthy variety you provide for them.