I am raising goats for my own consumption. Have raised two wethers over a summer a few years ago, and though they were young-ish, 8-9 mos old, ~75# each, I had about a 50% return in meat from the live weight when I took them in. They were supposedly “dairy X Boer” but, yeah, well, not so sure about that. They had not had any grain or supplements aside from loose mineral and goat blocks, just healthy grass pasture in a clean pen.
Now I have a few more goats, better but still mixed meat breed stock (Savanna, Kiko, Boer crossed w a touch of Saanen & Nubian), and I’d like to get opinions on when people generally feel is the best time to process: total weight, time of year (bucks in rut, no, rt.?), age and any other factors you generally take into consideration for a good % return as well as tasty, tender meat.
I am trying to raise my meat with the least amount of grain (corn, soy) input, least meds/chemicals, while still growing strong, healthy, tasty goats. What do folks use as good feeds to put weight on besides good quality alfalfa mix hay or pasture?
Thanks for any suggestions!
Now I have a few more goats, better but still mixed meat breed stock (Savanna, Kiko, Boer crossed w a touch of Saanen & Nubian), and I’d like to get opinions on when people generally feel is the best time to process: total weight, time of year (bucks in rut, no, rt.?), age and any other factors you generally take into consideration for a good % return as well as tasty, tender meat.
I am trying to raise my meat with the least amount of grain (corn, soy) input, least meds/chemicals, while still growing strong, healthy, tasty goats. What do folks use as good feeds to put weight on besides good quality alfalfa mix hay or pasture?
Thanks for any suggestions!