What We Feed Our Goats
Here is a simple list of what we feed our herd of dairy goats to give them a natural, healthy diet and support growth and milk production!
Bucks & Wethers:
24/7 access to fresh grass and alfalfa hay provided in a Hay Chix hay net. This is typically 50% Bermuda and 50% alfalfa (#2) but we will occasionally include Timothy hay as well.
Oil of Oregano: We use oregano for deworming. For young kids we give 1-2 drops Oil of Oregano with 1-2ccs of Olive Oil in a syringe 1-2x day for about 7 days or less depending on their condition. For adults the dose is 4 drops Oil of Oregano with 4ccs of Olive oil in a syringe or mixed in with a small amount of soaked beet pulp and sunflower or flax seeds.
Land Of Havilah: Also for deworming. Young kids get a pinch of LOH powder in the mouth and adults get 1-3 tsp (depending on condition) mixed in with soaked beet pulp or sunflower or flaxseeds.
Garlic: we offer whole garlic cloves to our entire herd regularly. They are allowed to eat as few or many cloves as they would like (although typically maxed at 3-4 cloves per goat).
Free choice Redmond Goat minerals
Free choice Thorvin Kelp (as needed)
Does (all):
24/7 access to Alfalfa hay (#2) provided in a Hay Chix hay net.
Oil of Oregano. Dosing is the same as for the bucks. We do not give oregano to pregnant does due to the risks, or to does in milk (unless absolutely necessary) as oregano can decrease milk production.
Land Of Havilah Regular Parasite Formula: Same as bucks.
Free choice Redmond Goat minerals
Free choice Thorvin Kelp
Does in milk (fed on milk stand):
about 2 cups Modesto Milling Dairy Goat feed (given at each milking. We feed more or less depending on the size of goat and where they are in lactation.)
about 2 cups shredded beet pulp (fed at each milking. We feed more or less depending on the size of goat and their body condition.)
2 tbs Apple Cider Vinegar. (Poured over feed 1x day)
approximately 1/4 cup flax seed or Black Oil Sunflower Seed. The two are often mixed together. (Only fed 1x day.)
We make sure to top off their feed with water to prevent bloat and to ensure proper hydration. (You really can’t add too much water. The goats will still eat it as a soup ;)
Occasionally we add about 2-4 tbsp of Diatomaceous Earth. This is great during warmer weather to help prevent flys around the goat yards and helps support healthy hoof growth.
If a goat needs help putting on extra weight they get a cup or two of Alfalfa pellets added to their feed.
Young doe Kids & Yearlings (after weaning):
All of the kids are fed together so we don’t measure out individual portions. Each kid gets about 1-2 cups of feed total per day along with free choice Alfalfa hay provided in a Hay Chix hay net.
Beet Pulp shreds
Oil Of Oregano (1-2 drops per kid)
Modesto Milling Organic Dairy Goat feed
Mix of Flax seed and Black Oil Sunflower Seeds
1-2 tbs of Diatomaceous Earth (per kid)
about 1-2 tsp of Apple Cider Vinegar per kid
All feed items are mixed together and soaked down with water before feeding.
Extras (for all goats)
California Pepper Tree branches (whenever we trim our trees)
Pine branches (given to all but pregnant goats)
Weeds from around the ranch/ the goat yards.
Carrots for everyone as treats.