[Udder Folks]

OK, I have been re-reading Goathiker's grain recipe from the July 2013 post, and have found her comments on how to feed a buck from June of 2011. (Just want to all to know that I've been TRYING to help myself...)

I have two main questions, I think.

1- How much of that grain do I feed my does and doelings? I haven't actually mixed the grain yet - they are getting a multi-livestock kind of mix right now - but I think my little boer girls (3 months) are starting to look kinda hefty for being babies. I've had them in their own stall at night for the last few days, and do get to see now that they leave grain in their dishes. Previously, moms were inhaling it all, so I had no idea. Anyway, I'm wondering if I'm overfeeding them. One of my nursing moms is thin - I'm wondering if she should have more. Her poops are normal, and eyelids are bright pink, so I think we're ok on health.

2- Goathiker, you mentioned in the "What should I be feeding my buck?" thread that you feed a medicated feed to your bucklings.
"Tiny boys get as much 16% show goat or meat goat feed as they will eat in 15 minutes 4 times a day. Littles that are eating well are worked up to 1 lb. per 50 lbs. of body weight. This is the amount that is neccesary for the cocci preventative in the feed to work."

In the grain thread, you mentioned the decox preventative that you do, and said, " Usually by the time they are eating enough of the Decox food, the damage has already been done to their growth rate."

I'm confused (I'm easily confused ), anyway ... looking for some help. I keep telling my husband, "I just learned I'm doing it all the wrong way." And he has to say, "You said that last time." What is damaging to their growth rate??? Decox food? Or cocci? Does the food not take care of it? Please clarify for my newbie brain.

Should I be feeding decox food to my 3 month old girls? What about the 3 month old wether? The 5 month old bucklings? The mommas?

I know everyone does things their own way, but I REALLY just want to make sure I'm getting my goats the proper food, in the proper amounts. I've got the free-choice, Eastern-Oregon orchard grass/alfalfa hay coming this week. Got the free choice alfalfa pellets going on. That's all that I know I've got right at this point.

Thank you, thank you! And my goats thank you!

 

[Udder Folks]

Hi Goathiker,
Please give me an idea, though, on where to start with the grain. I understand that it is a judgement call goat-by-goat, but for your average healthy full-sized doe, how much grain does she get in a day (with free choice hay and alfalfa pellets on the side)?

And yes, I would definitely like to know what you are doing with your buck. Thanks for offering to share!

 

[Udder Folks]

Thank you! Will you please tell me about the generic Calf Manna? I just bought a bag of the real stuff. Couldn't believe the price!

Also, would love the info on how you're feeding your buck this year.

Thanks!

 

[Udder Folks]

I do preventive cocci meds at 3 weeks and at 6 weeks if they are not eating that pound per 50 pounds. The cocci is damaging to their growth and their digestive system. The cycle is 19 days. If they pick it up at birth or within a few days of birth by 3 weeks old they already have a full blown case whether they show symptoms or not. They immediately pick it up again and start another 19 day round. Even if they are eating the right amount of medicated grain it doesn't hurt anything to do that 6 week old treatment to clean them out so that the grain can take over. The food is a preventative not a cure.
Leaving some in the dish is what I want to see with little ones. The protein in the grain builds that nice big rumen with many little fingers inside to digest food. Cocci destroys those little fingers. Fat goats have handfuls of fat right behind the front leg/shoulder area.

Now on the bigger ones. That's a judgment call. I like to see a shiny healthy goat that is slowly gaining weight when thin. I do feed my grains and alfalfa pellets separately.
If you want to make a little less of the mix at a time. I'm mixing 1 bag dry COB, 1 bag barley, 1 bag oats, and 1 bag generic calf manna for the winter. That little bit of corn benefits them during the cold rainy times. I add oil as I feed.
This year I'm trying something new with my buck. I'll tell you about it if it helps. He's one that melts weight off during rut.

Hope that helps some.

Hi Goathiker,
I know you are busy tending your goats and solving my (and everyone's) goat-related problems ... but I'd still love to hear what it is that you're doing differently with your buck's feed this year.
Thank you!

 

[Udder Folks]

Oh, and I started my 4-month old girls, 4-month old wether, and my bucklings (5 and 6 months old) on medicated Noble goat after I saw your post. I did Baycox treatments on them just prior. How long do you continue to feed your young ones a medicated feed?