What Supplements do my goats need?

Just like humans different goats have varying needs. The question posted here can have a very different answers depending on your herd and your set up.

If you think about the different phases of life and the different hormonal changes going on with your goats, then it only makes sense that you need to change your supplement strategy pretty regularly!

An eight week old kid is going to require different things than a wether, a buck in rut, a doe, a dam, a one-year-old first freshener, a nine-year-old fifth freshener… never mind their individual physiology as they go through their stages in life.

I remember when I went to my first show, and I discovered that there was not a single pen that did not offer alfalfa. I was shocked because I had never offered it before so I went home and bought alfalfa and put it out for my goats and half of them got fat. What works for one stage does not work for other stages in their life cycle. Just as what works for one goat may not fit another.

Below is a list of the minerals and supplements that are the most recommended for your dairy goats and a brief explanation of the when and why.

• Goat treats (ours love licorice flavor)

• Goat Minerals (blocks and loose)

• Salt Lick

• Alfalfa Hay or pellets for nursing or milking does

• Black Sunflower Seeds for nursing or milking does

• Baking soda

Goat treats

Everybody loves a cookie! We can have them from time to time, but we shouldn’t have them every day. Same goes for goat treats. They work great for bribes, but you shouldn’t have to bribe your goat to get it to do everything.

You can buy these at your local feed store, or you can give them things out of your refrigerator or you can make your own! Animal crackers are a low cost way to make friends with a shy goat. They love bananas, some enjoy pears or watermelon. Pumpkin, squash, and plain oats are always welcome. All in moderation…

Minerals

This is an exhaustive subject. Most often your local feed store will have a good blend of goat minerals for your area. There are schools on giving them a full buffet of various minerals versus just giving them a one stop shop. Goats are messy. IMHO they are not refined enough for a buffet. They will just make a giant mess of it and you will be running after your tail trying to keep it orderly. Free choice access to a small variety of minerals should be sufficient for 90% of your needs.

We offer Billie blocks, and we alternate between Sweet Lix Meat Maker and Zinpro loose minerals.

Remember that sheep and goats absolutely cannot share minerals. Goats need copper and sheep will die from it.

Salt Lick

Salt (sodium and chloride) is vital for maintaining fluid balance, nerve and muscle function, and overall health.

Most mineral options contain salt so you may not need this.

Licking salt and mineral blocks can be a satisfying and natural activity for goats. They are inexpensive and they don’t really go bad, so I keep a salt lick in each pen.

Alfalfa

Alfalfa is beneficial for pregnant does, nursing dams and milkers as well as young, growing kids because it has high levels of protein and calcium. It supplies Vitamin A and E, and can increase overall milk production. However, alfalfa's high calcium content means the diet must be carefully balanced with phosphorus, and excess consumption can be detrimental, especially for dry does and males.

Black Sunflower Seeds (BOSS)

BOSS can benefit milking does by improving milk production and butterfat content. They benefit the rest of your does when given as a supplement by improving overall coat and skin health - they have high oil and nutrient content. Do not give them to your boys -high phosphorus content can cause urinary stones.

Baking Soda

Read the full explanation of baking soda here. It helps neutralize excess acid in a goat's stomach, which can prevent or treat indigestion and prevent bloat. It is important to give them free choice access to this - especially if they have any possible access to large amounts of grain or could accidentally get to other animal feeds.

Goats are relatively low maintenance and easy keepers when given the proper balance of diet and minerals! They are hardy and tolerant and so much fun to have.