A Guide to Rearing & Feeding Goats

Key Nutritional Needs

• Forage: Good-quality hay, browse, and pasture should form the bulk of a goat’s diet.
• Protein: Needed for growth, milk production, and muscle development. Dairy goats, in particular, require higher protein.
• Energy: Provided by forage and, when needed, supplementary hard feed (mixes or pellets).
• Fibre: Essential for healthy digestion and rumen function.
• Vitamins & Minerals: Especially calcium, phosphorus, copper, selenium, and vitamin E for bone, muscle, and immune health. Goats need more copper than sheep but can be sensitive to excess.

Types of Feed by Life Stage

• High-protein (16–20%) pellets or coarse mix to supplement milk and encourage early growth.
• Palatable and easy to digest.

• Moderate protein (14–18%), balanced with energy for efficient weight gain and development.

• Higher protein and energy to support milk production.
• Extra minerals (especially calcium and phosphorus) for lactating does.

• Balanced protein and energy, with added vitamins and minerals for fertility and condition.

• Good-quality hay, browse (shrubs, trees), and pasture should be available at all times.
• Supplement with hard feed when forage is limited or when goats have higher nutritional demands.

• Provide free-access mineral licks or buckets formulated for goats to ensure essential trace elements and vitamins.

How to Feed

• Frequency:
  • Kids: Little and often, especially with creep feed.
  • Adults: Once or twice daily if feeding hard feed; forage available ad-lib.
• Quantity:
  • Follow manufacturer guidelines and adjust for breed, age, and production stage.
• Water:
  • Fresh, clean water must always be available—goats drink more than you might expect, especially when lactating or eating dry feed.

Housing & General Care

• Shelter:
  • Provide dry, draught-free housing with bedding (straw or shavings).
• Space:
  • Goats need room to roam, climb, and explore—secure fencing is essential.
• Pasture Management:
  • Rotate grazing to prevent overgrazing and parasite build-up.

Health & Biosecurity

• Cleanliness:
  • Clean feeders and water troughs regularly.
• Worming & Parasites:
  • Regular worming, foot trimming, and health checks are essential.
• Biosecurity:
  • Quarantine new goats and limit contact with neighbouring herds to prevent disease spread.

Common Feeding Mistakes & FAQs

• Mistake: Underfeeding dairy goats—can reduce milk yield and body condition.
• Mistake: Not providing mineral licks—can cause deficiencies (e.g., copper, selenium).
• Mistake: Overfeeding cereals—can cause digestive upsets or obesity.

• Can goats eat sheep or cattle feed?
  Not ideal—goats have specific mineral needs (especially copper).
• Do goats always need hard feed?
  No—good-quality forage is usually enough, but hard feed is useful in winter, for kids, or high-production animals.
• How do I know if my goats need supplements?
  If grazing is poor, or goats are growing, pregnant, or lactating, supplements or licks are beneficial.

Product Recommendations