Feeding the Doe
Does should be fed at a maintenance level when they are dry and during the first two thirds of their pregnancy. As the doe goes through pregnancy her requirements will begin to increase during the last third of her pregnancy. It is critical to provide adequate nutrition to the doe to produce healthy and vigorous kids and to allow her to produce milk to raise those kids. Grain or high quality pasture can be used to flush the nannies during the breeding season.
During early pregnancy does can be fed to maintain their body condition unless they are thin and need to improve their body condition.
During the last third of pregnancy, the does need to be monitored more closely.
Water is one of the most important nutrients that is needed when raising and feeding any animal.
Goats need many minerals for basic body function and to achieve high production.
Pasture is an excellent source of nutrients for the goat herd as well as one of the cheapest sources of feed.
Most goat producers feed their goats dry hay. Any type of hay can be fed, however, billies have an increased chance of developing urinary calculi when fed alfalfa hay because of the high levels of calcium.
Feeding grain is a decision a producer must make relative to his operation.