I need some advice for what to feed to my show goats to keep their weight up! I have a Nubian that will be going to Great Falls this coming summer for a show and I have always had problems keeping her weight up. Iv wormed her with ivermectin paste and had her on some beet pulp and some other dairy goat feeds and her weight went up some but Im hoping to see more weight on her this summer! What should I feed my show goats?
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That's correct. Having feed available all the time is best for goats, which is why milkers and does in late pregnancy have hay available for them all the time. Unfortunately at this time it's not possible for all the goats. There is normally nothing for them to eat outside in the middle of an Illinois winter, but this year our hay supply was limited by the drought.
Laura Collins said:
Hey guys, I gotta tell ya that if you will go to that second link that Delinda posted above for the benefits of chaffhaye and scroll to the bottom of the page, there is a piece there written by Crystal White of Noodleville Dairy Goats that is very nicely written, enjoyable reading! Thought you all would enjoy the good read. Sounds like something that should be in a book for lots of people to read Deborah! I wish everyone I know that are not goat people could read it! If only it where on fb!
So they get fed twice a day rather than free choice? I'm going to try to actually have as much good browse as possible so I hope it reduces the amount of hay needed.
Deborah Niemann-Boehle said:
We have been using Chaffhaye as a hay replacement because of the drought. We were only able to buy about 1/3 as much hay as normal. Pregnant goats and milkers get a combination of Chaffhaye and regular hay. Our dry does are on 100% Chaffhaye. We weigh out the amount that they're supposed to have and feed it twice a day.
I didn't think you meant as a hay replacement, but I just wanted to be sure. I haven't gotten my first goat yet, as we haven't gotten settled in good ourselves yet and may move again in a couple of years. But I like being over prepared, LOL. Thanks!
Now that I think of it, I believe that Deborah mentioned last winter that she started using this product as well. Lots of folks had to because of the drought and hay shortages. Maybe she'll see this thread and chime in! :)
Delinda LaRue said:
I would not recommend putting it out free choice. The goats are convinced it's goat crack and would likely make themselves sick eating as much as they could if it was free choice. They absolutely love the stuff (which is good because waste is non-existent). I feed in replacement of grain, with full access to hay. Their website touts it as a hay replacer, but I personally wouldn't let my goaties go without hay. This is just what I do, I'm sure other folks do it differently. Hopefully others who have tried this will chime in with their opinions as well.
Delinda,
Are you using the Chaffhaye to only replace the grain or are you putting it out as free choice like hay?
Woops! I should have posted a link with all of this info!!
Here's a dealer locator:
http://www.chaffhaye.com/dealer-locator/
They are adding new dealers all the time, contact them and ask them about it if you don't see anyone close. I did just that exact thing and they sent us info for a feed store that had JUST picked it up.
Also, here's a link with more information on the benefits of Chaffhaye:
http://www.chaffhaye.com/the-chaffhaye-advantage/
Delinda, where do you buy it? I have heard mention of it but didn't know exactly what it was and I NEED SOME!
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