A Beginner's Guide to Goat Nutrition
There are plenty of excellent reasons to select goats – and not simply because they look cute. They are also smart, curious creatures, perfect for the showing circuit, and there is plenty of cash to be made in ribbons. Winter farming in particular can be tough, but plenty of rewards make it well worth the challenge.
No matter your motivation for keeping and raising goats, a solid understanding of goats nutritional requirements is critical.
During the lean months, ensuring that your goat has access to the nutrient requirements they need is essential. Still lost? Read on for our top tips, and discover the secrets your goats need to thrive.
New Heritage Feed Co. supplies goat owners with all the supplementation their animals need, even during the harsh winter months. Visit our website for a complete list of our products and ingredients.
To stay healthy, goats require adequate amounts of five essential nutrients. These are water, protein, energy (composed of fat and carbohydrates), vitamins, and minerals.
If your goat is deficient in any of these, they may become sick or fail to grow and thrive. Milk production could decrease, and in some cases, death may occur.
Helping your goat to remain healthy is especially important during winter farming. During this season, natural resources are more scarce, so owners need to make up the shortfall.
Several staples should complement your goat’s diet during winter farming. These additions will help compensate for any losses incurred as a result of the weather.
Whole grains are perhaps the most common option and consist of regular, unprocessed whole grains. It comes in a whole seed, which can be great for encouraging your goats to chew properly.
Chewing offers benefits to teeth as well as reducing the risk of wind and bloating. Whole grains can also help boost growth rate and increase feed efficiency.
Rolled grains such as oats are another popular option. These are almost similar to their whole-grain relatives in terms of nutritional benefits. The key difference is that they have been rolled, rather than coming in rounded pieces or small pellets.
For adding extra nutrients or ingredients, texturized grain can be a great option. These are similar to rolled grains but will be mixed with other dry matter to boost nutrition. Texturized grain is a great option if you need to add an extra feed ingredient or disguise medication. Pelleted grains offer similar benefits and are produced by binding grain by-products.
Soybean grains are a great choice if your goats lack protein. Soybean meal offers a range of amino acids and super high protein levels. Soybeans serve as a supplement alongside other grains and types of feed.
Some of the signs that you’ve achieved the perfect balance include:
At New Heritage Feed Company, we want to help you meet your animals’ nutritional needs in the most natural way. We specially formulate our product to supply goats with everything they need to stay healthy – even during lean winter months.
Head over to the site for more information about the range. Select from our very best products for a top-quality essential feed option to keep your herd in great condition.
WHAT ARE THE NUTRITIONAL REQUIREMENTS OF GOATS?

WHAT SHOULD I FEED MY GOAT DURING WINTER FARMING?

- Pasture
- Hay
- Chaffhaye
- Grains
WHAT ARE THE BEST TYPES OF GRAIN?

HOW DO I KNOW MY GOATS ARE HEALTHY?

- Rapid growth of the animal
- Normal amount and quality of manure
- Alert, responsive behavior
- Good overall condition
- High levels of milk production
- High levels of success in reproduction
HOW CAN WE HELP?
