A Complete Guide to Goat Dietary Requirements for New Owners

Goats are curious, social animals that require a carefully balanced diet to stay healthy and productive. Whether you’re raising goats for milk, meat, fibre, or simply as pets, understanding their dietary needs is essential to ensure their well-being. This guide covers everything new goat owners need to know, from essential nutritional requirements to special feeding considerations.

Understanding Goat Nutrition

Goats are ruminants, which means they have a four-chambered stomach designed to digest fibrous plant material. Their diet should primarily consist of forage, but they also require access to specific minerals, water, and occasional supplements.

The key components of a goat’s diet include:

Forage (Hay, Grass, and Browse)

Forage is the foundation of a goat's diet and provides the fibre they need to maintain a healthy digestive system.

• Grass: Goats love to graze on pasture grass. However, unlike sheep or cows, goats are browsers, meaning they prefer to eat shrubs, leaves, twigs, and weeds rather than just grass.
• Hay: In winter or when fresh forage is limited, good-quality hay is essential. Alfalfa hay is particularly nutrient-rich and is a good choice for lactating goats.
• Browse: Goats naturally browse on hedgerows, trees, and bushes. Providing access to safe shrubs and branches can keep goats entertained while meeting their dietary needs.

Tip: Avoid toxic plants like yew, rhododendron, oleander, and azalea, which can be fatal to goats.

Water

Goats need constant access to fresh, clean water. An adult goat can drink 4-8 litres of water per day, and lactating goats may drink even more.

Check water troughs regularly to ensure they are clean and free from debris. In winter, ensure the water doesn’t freeze over.

Grains and Concentrates

Grain and commercial concentrates can provide extra energy and protein when needed, particularly for:

• Pregnant and lactating does
• Growing kids
• Goats in cold weather or working goats

Common grains fed to goats include:

• Barley
• Oats
• Maize
• Wheat

However, grains should be fed sparingly and introduced gradually, as goats can develop digestive issues like bloat and acidosis if overfed on grain.

Important: Never feed more than 500g of grain per goat per day. Too much grain can be dangerous.

Vitamins and Minerals

Goats need a range of minerals and vitamins to stay healthy. The most important ones include:

• Calcium and Phosphorus: Essential for healthy bones.
• Copper: Goats require more copper than sheep, but copper deficiency can lead to health problems like poor coat condition and infertility. However, be cautious not to over-supplement, as excess copper can be toxic.
• Selenium: Important for reproduction and preventing muscular issues.
• Salt: Goats need salt to help regulate their metabolism.

Provide a free-choice mineral block or loose minerals specifically formulated for goats. Never use sheep minerals, as these are too low in copper for goats.

Fresh Vegetables and Fruits

Goats enjoy eating fresh fruits and vegetables as a treat. Some good options include:

• Apples (without seeds)
• Carrots
• Cabbage
• Pumpkins
• Squash
• Pears

Avoid toxic foods such as avocado, potato peels, tomato plants, and chocolate.

Feeding Requirements for Different Life Stages

Goats have different dietary needs depending on their age, size, and purpose. Here’s what you need to know about feeding goats at different life stages:

Kids (Young Goats)

Newborn kids should receive colostrum from their mothers within the first few hours of life. Colostrum provides essential antibodies and nutrients to support their immune system.

After a few days, kids can start eating milk or a milk replacer. As they grow, introduce forage and grain-based creep feed to support their development. Gradually reduce milk feeding as kids transition to solid food by around 8-12 weeks of age.

Ensure kids have access to clean water and a mineral block from an early age.

Adult Goats

Adult goats should primarily eat forage, such as grass, hay, and browse. They can also be given small amounts of grains or concentrates as needed, but forage should always make up the majority of their diet to keep their digestive system healthy.

Monitor their body condition regularly to ensure they are not underfed or overfed. Adjust their diet based on their activity level, weather conditions, and life stage.

Pregnant and Lactating Does

Pregnant does require additional energy and protein, especially in the last few weeks of pregnancy. Feeding alfalfa hay or grain supplements can help meet their nutritional needs.

Lactating does (female goats that are nursing kids) have higher energy and water requirements to support milk production. Provide them with a high-quality forage-based diet, along with extra concentrates and ensure they have constant access to water.

Tip: If feeding grain, divide it into two smaller meals per day to reduce the risk of bloat or acidosis.

Bucks (Male Goats)

Bucks typically need less grain than does, as they are not used for milk production. However, during breeding season, bucks may require more energy to maintain their body condition.

Ensure bucks receive adequate minerals, particularly zinc and selenium, as deficiencies can impact fertility.

Warning: Male goats are prone to urinary calculi (kidney stones) if their diet is too high in phosphorus. To prevent this, ensure their diet has the correct calcium-to-phosphorus ratio and limit grain intake.

Seasonal Feeding Considerations

The availability of forage changes throughout the year, so it’s important to adjust your goats’ diet based on the seasons.

• Spring and Summer: Goats can graze on fresh pasture and browse shrubs. Be cautious with lush grass, as it can cause bloat.
• Autumn: As grass quality declines, introduce hay to maintain their nutritional intake.
• Winter: Forage is limited during winter, so provide plenty of hay or silage. Consider adding grain supplements to keep goats warm and maintain body condition during cold weather.

Common Feeding Mistakes to Avoid

1. Overfeeding Grain: Too much grain can cause bloat, acidosis, and urinary calculi. Always feed grain in moderation.
2. Feeding Sheep Minerals: Goats need more copper than sheep. Using sheep minerals can result in a copper deficiency, which can lead to health issues.
3. Sudden Dietary Changes: Introduce new feeds gradually to avoid upsetting the goat’s digestive system.
4. Inadequate Water Supply: Ensure goats always have access to clean, fresh water. Dehydration can lead to serious health issues.

Toxic Plants and Foods to Avoid

Some plants and foods are toxic to goats and should be avoided. Common toxic plants include:

• Yew
• Rhododendron
• Oleander
• Azalea
• Foxglove
• Buttercups (toxic when fresh)
• Acorns (in large amounts)

Foods to avoid:

• Avocado
• Potato peels
• Tomato plants
• Chocolate
• Caffeinated drinks
• Mouldy or spoiled food

Monitoring Goat Health Through Diet

A healthy goat will:

• Have a shiny coat and bright eyes.
• Maintain a healthy weight (not too thin or overweight).
• Chew cud regularly, which indicates a healthy digestive system.
• Be active and alert.

Regularly check your goats’ body condition score (BCS) and adjust their diet as needed. If you notice any signs of poor health, such as weight loss, dull coat, or changes in behaviour, consult a vet to rule out dietary issues.

Final Thoughts

Feeding goats may seem straightforward, but it requires attention to detail and careful planning to ensure they receive all the nutrients they need. A balanced diet of forage, clean water, minerals, and occasional grain supplements will keep your goats healthy and happy.

By understanding their dietary requirements and adjusting their feed according to their life stage and the seasons, you’ll be well on your way to raising a thriving, contented herd.