I band at 6-7 weeks, have always fed my boys grain until they turn a year old for growth as well as during rut/winter for my bucks as they tend to be more interested in breeding than they are with eating... by grain I mean a specific goat feed that contains pellets, I provide a loose mineral with added ammonium chloride.
UC goes hand in hand with genetics and feed management, my boys get a grain ration with alfalfa pellets and a clover/mixed grass hay, they always have fresh clean water which entices them to drink more.
The "grain" I feed is Caprine Challenger made by Blue Seal feeds, it is a sweet feed consisting mainly of pellets with a little crimped corn and oats. For kids here, they start sampling from their mama's pan at 2-3 weeks, by the time they are 5-6 weeks old they are getting their own ration 2x a day, with my Nigerian kids I give 1/4 cup each 2x a day until they start finishing it quickly then I increase a little each feeding until they are finishing a cupful , by the time they are weaned and ready to go to new homes they are established with eating solids and are at good weights and size to have a good start in a new home.... I don't wean before 8 weeks and no kid leaves until they are ready
UC goes hand in hand with genetics and feed management, my boys get a grain ration with alfalfa pellets and a clover/mixed grass hay, they always have fresh clean water which entices them to drink more.
The "grain" I feed is Caprine Challenger made by Blue Seal feeds, it is a sweet feed consisting mainly of pellets with a little crimped corn and oats. For kids here, they start sampling from their mama's pan at 2-3 weeks, by the time they are 5-6 weeks old they are getting their own ration 2x a day, with my Nigerian kids I give 1/4 cup each 2x a day until they start finishing it quickly then I increase a little each feeding until they are finishing a cupful , by the time they are weaned and ready to go to new homes they are established with eating solids and are at good weights and size to have a good start in a new home.... I don't wean before 8 weeks and no kid leaves until they are ready
