I am very interested to hear what other people have to say as well!! I have really considered getting a protein block, but never have yet.

 

I am very interested to hear what other people have to say as well!! I have really considered getting a protein block, but never have yet.

Same here... I see a pail as well that's 18# for $20 but the block is more cost effective at 33# for $16

 

True. But, you do get a "free" bucket once they are done with the protein pail! 😉😂

 

Lol yeah that's true... never enough buckets

 

Personally I don't like the protien pails. They are mostly molasses which can cause scours. If goats need a little extra..try a handful of calf manna. You don't get a useful bucket though lol. I know some use the protien buckets especially in winter to help when things are sparce but in a normal day to day..I would not.

 

I use the tubs. I leave them out all year long for mine in place of grain. I like them, usually they don’t pig out on them unless they need the extra protein. A lot of people dislike them because their goats never touch them but that just means they didn’t need it.
Happybleats is correct and if you get them and they totally pig out on it you will want to limit their time they are allowed access to it to start with. Start out small and give them a little longer every day.
But there are a few people that do offer tubs (same as the block just more in a tub) at certain times of the year, I just like it year round since their quality of feed changes a lot threw the year and it’s a pain to limit my larger herd and keep introducing.

 

The block I was looking at is 33# vs. 18# pail

 

The pail lasts a lot longer here. Some of my does just attack the blocks and gnaw them to lumps.
Both are vulnerable to chicken attacks, also.
I use both of them after the first freeze until things green up, alternating between pails, goat blocks, horse blocks and deer blocks.
The horse block crumbles the quickest, the deer blocks are the favorite, the pails require the most maintenance: rainwater, ants & poop..
The wide blue pails are good for watering in pens but not very stable to tote around.
If I were able to segregate and feed individually I would not use blocks or pails but having one out allows the back-of-the-pack
goat a way to supplement. I have a doe that you only see at the block or pail in the middle of the night when the rest are sacked out.

 

I have always been a calf manna person. Never tried a protein block or tub. Always heard bad things about tubs, but have no experience with it. Goats love calf manna. It's like a goat crack.

 

I have always been a calf manna person. Never tried a protein block or tub. Always heard bad things about tubs, but have no experience with it. Goats love calf manna. It's like a goat crack.

How much do you add to their feed?

 

Where do I get calf manna

 

Tractor supply has it and most feed stores around here. Probably even the co-op too. Tractor supply has like 3 different sizes here.

 

Lol I just Googled it and was going to say nevermind! Thanks

 

No worries. I am a huge fan of the calf manna. Used it from horses to goats. If your not careful the LGD's will try to pretend to be goats to even get some. It's like they all get manna radar. Nothing like a livestock dog walking up to the goat feeders and looking at you for a spare pan!

 

Oh ok

 

I would do a premix, like half and half or so?

 

Lol sacked out the sneaker... yeah that would be good for the bottom of the herd

 

So who else does calf manna? I looked it up and now am interested in adding it to my grain

 

I use it for any animals that need a little extra weight. It’s really good stuff and really the only con to it is it’s expensive. But if you look at your tractor supply they might have the knock off brand, still expensive but is $10 cheaper

 

Know the names of these by chance?

 

It always amazes me, the double standard. Calf Manna is like some magic word that makes it alright to feed your goats GMO corn and soybeans.
Now if I just said that I was going to start sourcing roundup ready corn for my goats? People would freak.
Such is the power of brand names in this country.

 

You are so right!
But Calf Manna's been around forever.
Well, I don't remember Calf Manna NOT being around.
I usually have a bag here, use it in my creep feed.
But I also have cheap, whole corn around, too!
I am such a goat-owning poison-feeding failure! .
Just Kidding
I got vaccinated, too...
But you really are right, goathiker.
And glad you pointed it out!

 

Lol that’s ok I’m a failure too

 

Well I'm sure most pre packaged feeds are gmo
Can you suggest an alternative

 

I miss using calf manna. We went non gmo several years ago. It was part of my favorite seed blend. But yes..its gmo. I recommend often because not everyone does non gmo. It's a good product otherwise.

 

All name brand packaged feed is GMO.
I was just pointing out the hypocrisy. It took me awhile to learn to laugh off things like "don't feed cracked corn, feed purina goat chow".

Anyway, I use LMF super supplement if absolutely necessary. It isn't cheaper, it has a little better ingredients and much better mineral packs. It's a horse supplement that is comparable and works very well for me.

 

I'm sorry what does LMF stand for?

 

Nevermind lol I found it.. I don't think it's sold in Minnesota

 

Any other alternative to calf manna?

 

Do you have your own chickens?

 

A lot of people use Dyne liquid but I think that is for fat, not protein.

 

Yes I do

 

Notes:
Phosphorus content split peas 97mg per 1/2 cup
Oats 180mg per cup

Do you have a big box store where you can get raw pumpkin seeds?