Raising a baby goat can be expensive as it requires a conducive pen which might cost a fortune. Baby goat feeds, feeding equipment, and other materials that will enhance growth and better living aren’t the cheapest commodities in the market.
Though it’s hard to give a specific figure, this article estimates how much it costs to feed a baby goat. It also covers the best feed for baby goats and how much milk is enough for a baby goat a day.
Contents
How much do you feed a goat per day?
Mature and healthy goats eat regularly. They are known for their eating prowess. Goats eat almost everything as long as it’s not toxic and dangerous to their health.
However, it doesn’t mean you should feed them all day because overfeeding could damage their glut and other sensitive organs.
How much feed is sufficient for goats per day? It depends on many factors, including age, breed, types of food, amount of nutrients in their feed, size, and functions.
Milk-producing goats don’t consume the same quantity of food as meat-producing goats.
Nonetheless, average mature goats need at least 4 pounds of roughage (hay) and a maximum of 1½ pounds of grain daily.
Can you overfeed a baby goat?
No, overfeeding baby goats is dangerous for their health and growth. The baby goats will wag their tail to signify their satisfaction.
Therefore, we advise you to keep close tabs on that part of their body when feeding them. Don’t force the milk or other feeds on them if they stop responding to your advances. It could mean they are satisfied.
Another way to know if your baby goat has eaten enough feed includes checking their stomach. A satisfied baby goat will have a big belly.
How many ounces of milk should a baby goat drink?
Give the baby goat colostrum within the first 24 hours of birth. The amount of colostrum must be 10% of the kid’s weight.
According to petkeen, baby goats between 1-3 days should take between 300ml (10 Oz) of milk thrice a day.
Continue the feeding measurement throughout the first and second weeks. Meanwhile, reduce the milk quantity in the third week by adding other feed to the diet.
Can baby goats eat pellets?
Yes, baby goats can eat a considerable amount of pellets. We recommend you give them alfalfa pellets because it enhances their development. Don’t give them too many pellets; it could cause unwanted health challenges.
Meanwhile, don’t give pellets to a two-week-old baby goat. Wait till the third or fourth week before introducing the kids to a new diet. Don’t change the whole diet at a go. Weaning the goats is a gradual process that takes several weeks.
How many pellets should a baby goat eat?
1 to 1½ pounds of pellets daily is sufficient for a baby goat. Add ½ or one cup of grain to the daily diet to increase the nutrient and diversity.
How long does a baby goat need milk?
Baby goats need milk for three or four weeks (at most). The first 24 are strictly for colostrum from the mother and fresh water.
Though weaning can begin in the third week, ensure you give them milk until the fourth and, maybe, the fifth week.
It all depends on how well the goats react to the weaning process. The baby goat will reject milk once they are comfortable with other feeds.
How often should you feed a baby goat?
Give baby goats colostrum the first 24 hours to boost their immune system. Give them milk four times per day in the first week. It could be natural milk from their mother or pasteurized dairy products from the store.
You can reduce the feeding time to three times per day in the third week, although you will add nutritious concentrate mixtures to the diet.
Do baby goats eat at night?
Yes. Baby goats can’t stay too long without food. They require a lot of energy and nutrients to survive.
Their mothers sometimes breastfeed them at night to ensure they retain energy and good health throughout the night.
Ensure you feed them before bed if you’ve weaned them already. Feed the baby goats with any of the feeds discussed below.
What to feed a baby goat?
As mentioned earlier, milk is compulsory. Hay is good for weaned baby goats. Feeds rich in vitamins and minerals are compatible with their digestive system.
Chewable and soft grains are good for them due to their nutritional benefits. Water is non-negotiable. Ensure constant clean and safe water supply.
It’s not enough to give them all these treats, don’t ignore accurate ratio or quantity. Insufficient quantity will decrease their growth, while excess feed might cause health problems that might kill them eventually.
Baby goat feeding chart
Below is a comprehensive baby goat feeding chart. We can guarantee impressive growth if you follow this chart.
How Much does it cost to feed a baby goat?
Goat supplements aren’t the cheapest livestock feed in the market. However, you won’t have to break the bank to feed a baby goat.
You need between $10- $15 to feed a baby goat for 30 days. That’s pretty affordable when compared to other animals.
Importance Things To Know about baby goats and their feeds
- Know the kid’s weight to determine the quantity of colostrum you need.
- Get a feeding plate for your goat to avoid contamination.
- Prevent hay, grains, or other feed from being damp and coagulation
- Go for high-quality hays and other feed
- It is unhealthy to wean your baby goat before the third week. It’s best to wean your baby goats after a month or two.
Best feeds for baby goats
Pastures containing millet, Sudan grasses, Bahia grasses, grain and grass mixture, clover, and sorghum are good for three months baby goats. These feeds will supply the protein and energy they need to survive.
Feeds rich in vitamins and minerals are also suitable for goats regardless of age and size. They prevent different diseases.
Adding grains like Rye, oats, moil, corn, and barley to their diets is good because they supply carbon, energy, and protein.
Conclusion
We believe you now know how much feed your baby goats need for rapid growth and development.
Meanwhile, you must consult your vet as soon as you notice any strange behaviour from the goats. Don’t administer medicine without the vet’s direction unless you have a concrete understanding of the problem.
Sources
https://www.purinamills.com/goat-feed/education/detail/getting-your-kid-off-to-a-healthy-start
https://www.agrifarming.in/goat-feed-chart-and-goat-weight-chart-a-full-guide
https://newheritagefeedco.com/blogs/goats/feed-a-goat