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     Dwight & Kathy Currie New member Username: crookedtreefarm Post Number: 24 Registered: 08-2006 Posted From: 209.221.46.243 Rating: N/A |
Thanks Maggie. I got some more info, and thought I might pass it along in case some of the other members might make use of it. I got in touch with Dr. Will R. Getz, Professor and Extension Specialist, at the Georgia Small Ruminant Research & Extension Center, Fort Valley State University. He is a proponent of the use of various crop residues and byproducts for sheep and goat feeds and learning how best to make best use of them. He told me that the use of cotton seeds poses little danger to my goats as long as they don't amount to more than 25 t0 30% of the animal's total daily diet. He did offer one caution about feeding it to very young kids or lambs. It seems that until their rumens are fully developed they don't have the ability to detoxify the Gossypol in cottonseed derived products, and they risk Gossypol Poisoning. I have been told that the rumen is not fully developed until about 6 weeks of age. According to Dr. Getz, their digestive systems resemble those of chickens or pigs until the rumen fully developes. He also says that the oil the seeds contain has a high protein content, but the oil can also deactivate some of the other nutrients, and that is the reason that they should not be fed in extremely high levels. I only give my 25 goats between 25 and 35 pounds once a day, and with the browsing and free choice hay, and minerals, they are getting along just fine, but I'll keep a close eye on them for any signs of negative impact. | ||
| Maggie Leman Moderator Username: maggieleman Post Number: 1538 Registered: 07-2005 Posted From: 71.111.215.105  Rating: N/A |
I've heard of this but have no first hand experience. I know cottonseed is often an ingredient in goat feeds and certainly cattle feed. Maggie Leman Goat 911 Capri Medic | ||
| Dwight & Kathy Currie New member Username: crookedtreefarm Post Number: 22 Registered: 08-2006 Posted From: 209.221.50.59 Rating: N/A |
I started feeding cotton seed to my little bunch a few weeks ago in place of grain or pellets. After the first few days when they looked at me as if they thought I was trying to poison them, they started eating them just fine. I keep good quality grass hay for them 24/7 and plenty of fresh water, and free choice Golden Blend Goat mineral. This change was done for strictly financial reasons. Cottonseed costs me 6.5 cents a pound. Less than 1/3 of what I was paying for pellets. I first read about using cotton seed in Goat Rancher, and then checked with my local extension agent, who gave me no negatives. Being a novice in the goat biz. Is there something lurking out there that I don't know about? Some sort of negative, or harmful result from feeding the cotton seed? I introduced them gradually and have seen no bad effects. All 27 are fat and sassy so far. I'd appreciate some feedback. Thanks Dwight |