Choosey Eaters Choose G.I.F. (Grain, Integrated supplements, and Forages)
Contrary to the classic joking stereotype, goats will not eat everything - especially not tin cans! Actually they are fairly picky eaters and will resist eating soiled food unless starved. Dietary needs of your goat can be easily met through a balanced combination of forages (hay and browse), feed based on grain and grain by-products (corn, wheat, sorghum and even sunflower and cotton seed), and the integrated use of nutritional supplements (minerals, salt) in the feeding program. Feeders should allow easy access for all goats within their pen or yard, and need to be kept clean and free from sharp edges or exposed nails that might inadvertently cause injury to the goat.
Goats, like other animals, are sensitive to abrupt diet changes - whether in feed amounts given, feed types, and even time of feedings. Introduce any desired changes gradually over a couple weeks' time and monitor the goat's behavior for potential problems. And a goat that exhibits behavioral changes in its own usual feeding or drinking routine should immediately alert you that there is a problem, possibly medical, with the animal that you will need to quickly assess and address.
Grain: A good rule of thumb is to use a quality balanced, non-medicated feed (dairy ration, goat or sheep/goat mix) with 16%-18% protein for lactating does and kids; 12%-14% protein balanced, non-medicated feed (goat or sheep/goat mix) for non-milking does and bucks; and to consider using a feed with a coccidiostat added for kids during the first few months. Bags of feed have nutritional labels that describe the nutrient values and mineral percentages so make sure you read them thoroughly. If using a sheep/goat mix, you will need to supplement for copper as goats require it and it is often not at high enough levels in feed meant for sheep. Feed in unopened bags should be stored off the floor if possible on pallets or shelves. Once opened, the feed needs to be stored in rodent-proof containers. Good choices can be found among in heavy plastic garbage bins with locking lids, metal garbage cans with tight fitting lids, or even in clean metal drums that are often for sale at farm suppliers. In both cases, make certain the feed is kept protected from the goat's independent access - some goats will overeat grain if given the chance, and that can kill it through bloat, acidosis or toxemia reactions to grain excess. Lastly never, NEVER store toxic compounds such as pour-on insecticides, paint, gasoline or antifreeze, in feed storage areas - accidents can happen and you would not want to accidentally poison your goat.
Integrated supplements: salt, minerals, bicarbonate of soda (baking soda) Goats should have free-choice access to mineral, salt and bicarbonate of soda supplements at all times. Minerals should be offered in loose form rather than in a block. Mineral feeders can help keep the minerals clean and dry. Use a goat specific or dairy specific mineral formula - sheep minerals do not contain enough copper for goats. To determine the best mineral for your goat's use, consult your feed's nutrient labeling first to see possible suggestions for additional supplementation. Additional nutrients to consider are brewer's yeast and kelp meal - both which can provide benefits when used in conjunction with a balanced base feed.
Forages: hay and browse Goats are by nature browsers not grazers - this means that they prefer eating leafy plants, weeds, and woody plants. Pasture grasses and hay choices should reflect this. Goats do not easily eat Bermuda hay since it is a fine grass forage more suitable for horses. Rather, a hay that offers a wide blade, such as Sudan, will be readily consumed. Oat hay is a good choice when available. Legume hays such as alfalfa, clover, or peanut work will be readily consumed, but goats can bloat if fed too much at one time. Mixed-grass or mixed-grass-and-legume hays often provide a ready variety more to the like of the goat palette. NEVER feed moldy hay and avoid feeding hays that are from pastures that use lots of pesticides and herbicides, especially with dairy goats. Hay should be provided in a manger or hayrack that keeps the hay off the ground and prevents the goats from climbing into it to eat and soiling it. Unless using large round bales for feeding, hay needs to be stored in dry areas where the bales are not in direct contact with the ground to help keep it from getting moldy. Hay barns offering wooden flooring, or sheds using wooden pallets, treated lumber garden slats, or even plastic tarp that is free from holes can be used to keep hay from direct contact with the earth.