Basic Nutritional Needs

All breeds, sexes and ages of goats require the same basic nutrients: protein, energy, minerals, vitamins and water.

The diet must contain adequate protein, as no other nutrient can substitute for it.

Energy needs may be derived from dietary carbohydrates (starches and/or fiber), or fats, or even from excessive protein. (Energy sources: 

Goats require nutrients for maintenance, growth, gestation, lactation, and weight gain.

Maintenance requirements are used to maintain body temperature, to support vital functions, and to enable the goat to move around.

Maintenance requirements may range from 50 to 100% of total daily nutrient requirements, depending on whether the animal is also growing, lactating, pregnant, or gaining weight. (Frank Pinkerton, Feeding Programs for Meat Goats)

In the winter, goats need extra energy for keeping themselves warm.  If you don't provide it, it will cut into the energy they need to produce milk and keep their bodies healthy. 

 A general rule of thumb is to increase the amount fed by 1% for each degree of coldness below 32 degrees F.   If there is a wind chill, subtract that from the outside temperature before figuring the increase.  

(Adapted from Barkley, Melanie, Basic Ration Balancing, at http://bedford.extension.psu.edu/agriculture/goat/Goat%20Ration%20Balancing.htm)

Example 1: The temperature is 20 degrees above zero (Fahrenheit) and the wind chill is 15 mph. 

 

Step 1: Figure the "actual" temperature.

 

Actual temperature = (outside temperature on thermometer) - wind chill).    (Example: 20-15=5).

Step 2: Figure how many degrees difference you have from 32 degrees F.

 

32 degrees - actual temperature.        (Example: 32-5=27)

Step 3: Figure the amount you need to increase the feed.

 

1% x number of degrees below 32 degrees F   (Example: 1% x 27 degrees)

Example 2: (negative temperatures.)  

It's twenty degrees below zero (Fahrenheit), and there is a twenty mile an hour wind chill.

Step 1: Actual temperature is (negative 20 degrees outside temperature - positive 20 degrees wind chill)= -20 + -20= -40 degrees

Step 2: Positive 32 degrees- negative 40 degrees=72 degrees difference

Step 3: 1% x 72= 72% 

You need to increase the feed by 72% when it is 20 below zero, and wind chill is 20 mph.

Monitoring Nutritional Status  

Body Condition Scoring

The best way to tell whether your nutrition program is effective, is to body condition (BCS) score your animals on a regular basis.  See Body condition scoring  in the medical section of this website.

Form for tracking body condition scores, FAMACHA scores and weight

MUN Testing

Another way to monitor your feeding program is to run MUN tests on a regular basis.  Some cheese plants will do these occasionally without charging you.  See MUN testing.

The goat’s adaptive advantages for feeding

-an innate ability to select the most nutritional plants, and the most nutritional parts of those plants

-the ability to grasp and tear, enabling them to eat a multitude of plants other animals cannot eat.

-a tolerance of bitter taste enabling them to eat plants other animals will not eat.  (For example, tannin-producing plants which have natural deworming properties.)

-a preference for eating forage higher than their knee level.  (above parasite level)

-the ability to store water in the rumen, allowing some goats to survive without water for up to 4 days.

-fat storage in the abdomen which allows some goats to survive without food for up to 4 days.

(Smith)

The Goat’s Natural Diet