What should I feed my dairy goat?

This video is our "dummie's guide" to feeding your dairy goat--but you are not a dummy, there is just a lot to learn! What's the difference between grass hay, alfalfa and straw anyway? I didn't know when I bought my first goats. This video covers how to feed everything from a wether, to a breeding buck, pregnant doe, doe in milk to a junior doeling and prepares you for your first trip to the feed store. Feel free to ask questions in the comments! This is a big topic. Share this video with those you think would benefit and subscribe to our channel for more goat tutorials.
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[@Malori406]

This video was actually very helpful thank you ❤

[@twinpeartutorials8840]

@@Malori406 I’m so glad it was helpful. 😊

[@kimberlyneudorf2276]

This is great! Our milk production just went down so probably not enough alfalfa and we're going to add those black sunflower seeds for sure and I should also get on that sprouted barley!

[@twinpeartutorials8840]

So glad it was helpful! Taking away calcium (in the form of alfalfa or alfalfa pellets) is actually a way we use to dry off our does. Calcium in is needed for calcium out.

[@grishmadarai1732]

thank you for your info, really helps! love from Nepal 😍

[@twinpeartutorials8840]

So happy to help you from Oregon in the USA!

[@SabbathAcresRanch]

Great info! We feed 2nd cutting alfalfa to all our goats, and they always have access to high quality loose minerals. We mix our own feed for lactating does (barley, oats, alfalfa and beet pellets, BOSS, calf manna/magic, and some sweet feed -( because they love it)) Our juniors get some grain (barley, sweet feed + alfalfa pellets) once a day. And of course, all have clean fresh water. That is what works for us. We also use the Land of Havilah weekly herbal dewormer (we love it!) it is super easy to just add to their food one day of the week. I have been interested in switching out some of the other grains for chaffhay but i can't find it anywhere. 🤷‍♀

[@twinpeartutorials8840]

Nice, I love mixing my own too. It's best to do whatever is working for your herd (what works for you might not work for someone else and vice versa). The Chaffhaye could be swapped out for the alfalfa pellets. There is a product called Alfahay which is similar that you might be able to find. They a "Dealer Locator" map on their website. It has less spoilage but my goats don't like it quite as much as the Chaffhaye.

[@ndlovuthubelihle2022]

Great video,really helps!

[@thepinch1839]

Thank you so much!!

[@twinpeartutorials8840]

You're very welcome!

[@joyhomestead]

Thank you for this info! I needed a refresher before getting our goats this summer. I grew up raising them but that was years ago. :)

[@twinpeartutorials8840]

I'm so glad it was helpful. :)

[@infosgd8020]

good information thanks

[@twinpeartutorials8840]

You're welcome!

[@infosgd8020]

@@twinpeartutorials8840 can shear your whatsapp no please

[@homestatzfarmher8919]

Great vid! Thanks for the info!!

[@SydneyMcWhorter-zg2ph]

Hey, as a new goat owner I love the video! Just wondering what mineral you feed? I’m trying to find one that’s not just the blocks. Thanks

[@twinpeartutorials8840]

Great question! The best loose mixed minerals currently on the market are SweetLix Meat Maker (or SweetLix Magnum Milker) and Purina Goat Mineral. They're extensively researched and the highest PPM copper and selenium on the market. My goats find the SweetLix Meat Maker more palatable than the Purina minerals.

[@lorimiller5574]

Just an observation, I see my goats use the baking soda as much as the mineral.

[@twinpeartutorials8840]

I think it's very relevant to what you feed your goats and what kind of fresh browse they have available. When I first got goats I was under the impression they would bloat and die immediately if I didn't offer sodium bicarb 24/7. This turned out not to be the case. That said, what's working for your herd is working for your herd! Never let anyone tell you different if you've found a feeding regimen that is working well for your animals. :)

[@elisemogler4949]

How long does it take to mil your goats

[@twinpeartutorials8840]

If you include setup and clean up, udder wash, stripping, milking and post-dip, I would plan for 15 minutes per goat. You can expedite that with various measures, but that's a good estimate.