Kelp - Forum - Nigerian Dwarf Dairy Goats

I started using kelp because the grassfed beef producers absolutely swear by it. It is high in iodine and has a lot of other micronutrients in small quantities. The grassfed beef people say that babies are less likely to get coccidia and that adults are generally healthier. I used to only offer kelp now and then because it seems expensive (about $50 for 50#), and the goats seemed to eat it like candy. But two years ago, I started offering it free choice all the time. It was a challenge to keep the feeder full for the first month or so, but after that, they slowed down. (Keep in mind that I also have about 15-20 adult does plus 4-5 doelings at any given time). Since starting this, I have noticed that I almost never have coccidia in kids here, and my does' milk production is higher than ever. In fact, we're getting more milk than I ever dreamed possible. Of course, it is hard to single out one thing and give credit to that. Keeping a clean barn is really important for coccidia prevention, and perhaps all of my selective breeding is finally paying off with the does, but I'm not going to stop giving kelp free choice.

Replies

Carissa Gillis August 16, 2012 at 11:28pm

i was wondering this also, i worked at a feed store for years and never knew why people bought it for goats! i feed kelp meal to horses to treat and prevent ulcers...it turns into a "slime" that coats their insides and allows ulcers to get a break from stomach acid and heal, but we feed a tablespoon a day regardless the size of the horse, not sure if they would eat it if we offered it free choice...?
Margaret Langley July 25, 2012 at 7:16pm

Way to go Deborah, as the saying goes, "If it ain't broke, don't fix it", Huh? If it's working, don't change it!
Deborah Niemann-Boehle July 25, 2012 at 10:35am

I started using kelp because the grassfed beef producers absolutely swear by it. It is high in iodine and has a lot of other micronutrients in small quantities. The grassfed beef people say that babies are less likely to get coccidia and that adults are generally healthier. I used to only offer kelp now and then because it seems expensive (about $50 for 50#), and the goats seemed to eat it like candy. But two years ago, I started offering it free choice all the time. It was a challenge to keep the feeder full for the first month or so, but after that, they slowed down. (Keep in mind that I also have about 15-20 adult does plus 4-5 doelings at any given time). Since starting this, I have noticed that I almost never have coccidia in kids here, and my does' milk production is higher than ever. In fact, we're getting more milk than I ever dreamed possible. Of course, it is hard to single out one thing and give credit to that. Keeping a clean barn is really important for coccidia prevention, and perhaps all of my selective breeding is finally paying off with the does, but I'm not going to stop giving kelp free choice.

This reply was deleted.