Goats come in all shapes and sizes. But how do they get to be all those different sizes? Goats require nutrients to grow; as a goat owner, you want to give them the best nutrition possible. But what can goats eat?
Goats can and will eat almost anything. However, they require certain nutrients to thrive and survive. So, let’s explore what goats should eat. Goats require energy, protein, vitamins, minerals, fiber and water.
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So, What Can Goats Eat?
Goats need the same basic nutrients as most living beings: protein, energy, fiber, vitamins, minerals and water. Let’s examine the key ingredients in a goat’s diet more closely to better understand how to care for them.
So, what can goats eat?
Water
In this case, it’s a matter of what do goats drink. Water is the most essential nutrient for every living being. Many biological functions, including growth, development, and reproduction, depend on adequate water in the goat diet. While water needs vary depending on the production phase your herd is in, one thing remains constant. Goats need a constant source of fresh, clean water.
Typically, a 110-pound goat will drink 1 to 3 gallons of water daily, depending on diet, intake, and weather. A lactating doe requires an additional 1 quart of water for every 1 pint of milk she produces. If a goat is producing 5 pints of milk at peak lactation while raising twins, 2.5 gallons of water are necessary each day
Forage & Fiber
Goats are ruminants, just like cattle. Ruminants have four-compartment stomachs that, unlike many animals, can digest roughage like grass, hay and silage. Forage adds bulk to the diet and keeps the rumen functioning properly by increasing rumination and salivation.
Most nutritionists agree that goats and sheep should always have roughage in their diets, at least one pound per head per day. Goats are very active foragers that exhibit a high degree of selectivity. They can cover a wide area in search of scarce plant materials.
Their small mouths and split upper lips enable them to pick small leaves, flowers, fruits and other plant parts, choosing only the most nutritious available feed.
If you want to improve the results of your goats’ grazing, here’s what some studies show about goat grazing habits:
- Select grass over clover.
- Prefer browsing over grazing.
- Prefer foraging on rough and steep land over flat, smooth land.
- Graze along fence lines before grazing the center of a pasture.
- Graze the top of the pasture canopy fairly uniformly before grazing close to the soil level.
Protein Sources
Forage
- Legumes: Alfalfa, clover and other legume hays are rich in protein. Alfalfa hay, in particular, is a high-protein forage commonly fed to goats.
- Pasture: Fresh pasture grasses, especially those mixed with legumes, provide a useful source of protein.
- Commercial Goat Feed: Specially formulated feeds often contain balanced protein levels tailored for goats.
- Soybean Meal: This is a common protein supplement in goat feeds due to its high protein content.
- Cottonseed Meal: Another high-protein supplement that you can include in their diet.
By-products
- Brewers’ Grains: These are a by-product of the brewing industry and can be a high-protein supplement for goats.
- Distillers’ Grains: Similar to brewers’ grains, these are a by-product of the distilling industry and are high in protein.
Energy Sources
Forage
- Grasses: Fresh pasture grasses provide valuable sources of energy through carbohydrates.
- Hay: Good-quality grass hay is a significant energy source, especially in the winter when fresh pasture is unavailable.
Grains & Concentrates
- Corn: A high-energy grain that is commonly fed to goats.
- Oats: Another energy-rich grain that is easily digestible.
- Barley: Is also a good source of energy, though it is slightly less digestible than corn.
By-products
- Molasses: Often added to commercial feeds, molasses provides a quick energy source and makes the feed more palatable.
- Beet Pulp: A by-product of sugar beet processing, it is high in energy and fiber, and you can feed it dry or soaked.
Vitamins & Minerals
To provide your herd with a balanced diet, round out your nutritional program with a complete vitamin and mineral package like that offered by DuraFerm.
DuraFerm is a line of nutritional supplements for sheep and goats that supports optimal digestion and nutrition for maximized performance at every stage of production.
With two different formulas made specifically for goats, DuraFerm mineral is ideal for any operation’s management goals. It contains AO-Biotics® Amaferm®, a prebiotic research-proven to enhance digestibility and high levels of vitamin E for reproductive tract repair. Additionally, it supports embryo production and conception using organic trace minerals.
DuraFerm® Goat Concept•Aid®
Are you looking for a loose mineral best for your herd’s year-round nutrition needs? DuraFerm Goat Concept•Aid is a free-choice vitamin and mineral supplement for goats that supports reproductive success.
DuraFerm® Goat Concept•Aid® Protein Tub
Another product that can help with setting up does for flushing: the DuraFerm Goat Concept•Aid Protein Tub. This protein tub with vitamins and minerals for goats isupport reproductive success.
The 50-pound tub contains the Concept•Aid goat mineral package in a 20% natural protein tub. It supports embryo production and conception using organic trace minerals and elevated levels of vitamin E. Like all DuraFerm products, it contains Amaferm to enhance digestibility.
“DuraFerm is formulated at 2.5 times the NRC requirements to ensure that your herd is getting the best nutritional supplement possible. Add that in with the Amaferm, Vitamin E and organic trace minerals, you are sure to have some of the healthiest, most reproductively sound females,” said Sam Silvers, Director of National Specialty Livestock.
What Can Goats Eat? DuraFerm!
Hopefully you have answered the question you originally asked, what can goats eat? And now you know in addition to protein, energy, water and forages, your goats need a quality vitamin and mineral program like DuraFerm. Adding DuraFerm to your operation is easy.
Find a dealer closest to you by using our dealer locator.
Perhaps you want to buy it online. You certainly can!
Want more information about DuraFerm or to use our goat gestation calculators? Visit us online.
