Posted by Nat on May 02, 2001 at 20:46:07:
In Reply to: Re: Keeping weight on a heavy milker - how? posted by Perry on May 02, 2001 at 18:52:34:
I've been slowly upping her grain- I'm just afraid of overloading her and foundering her. I'v seen quite a few animals founder from grain overload (beef cattle, sheep, and horses). Even right now, she's a eating machine, and talk about alot of poop for a short stocky togg!!!! Soon she's going to be giving my horse a run for the money on stall mucking!
I know the alfalfa is high in protein, and then the grain I assume (Goat chow) has to be like a 16%? I'll have to look at a feed bag tommorow am. I remember in my feeding and nutrition class, you have to balance the ration including the grain, and hay, as this will equal the total protein, ect. I just hate loading her up on grain, versus roughage - but if I keep increasing it slowly... I want to try to keep her shining for Nationals in June.. cross fingers for no disasters before then.... Ah, the suspence!
There is no easy solution to feeding goats is there? Every time I think I figure it out.. whoops.. lol.. guess having it easy would take all the fun out of it! :-)always an exception or two, or three to the rule!!!
Thanks again guys! I'm sure Dalila will appreciate an extra handful of sweet feed on the milkstand tommorow morning.
-Nat's Little Bit Farm
Where New England went from 20's and 3' of snow to 90's and no rain.... in only 2 weeks!!