goats

goats and dwarf goats

In their natural environment goats free-range, browsing about the countryside, eating grasses, herbs, tree bark and shrubbery. (Re)chewing forms an essential part of their digestion. When chewing, saliva is produced. Together with the roughage, the saliva determines the function of the rumen and, therefore, the absorption of nutrients. Goats differ from cattle; they’re more efficient with their food, since it goes more quickly through their alimentary canal. And besides that, a goat prefers to eat the most tasty tidbits first. There are also differences among goats themselves: dwarf goats use up more energy in order to keep warm than do other goats. Productive milk goats have different feeding needs from (dwarf)goats and kids, which live near the house or in a park, and from breeding and show goats. For the latter group Garvo has the perfect feed for a long and healthy goat life: 1020 alfamix goat. This is a tasty, supplementary muesli, which extra activates the rumen function. It should be given along with roughage, such as hay or grass and straw as a source of fibre. The combination of roughage and alfamix goat completes the menu for (dwarf)goats and kids. This menu ensures healthy animals with maximum resistance, lean muscles and hard hooves. The animals develop perfect hormone housekeeping, which results in good fertility, uncomplicated gestation, easy birth and effortless lactation. For those who only have dwarf goats, 5085 dwarf goats pellet is very suitable. This feed is a bit more rich in energy so that their need for warmth is more easily met. Thanks to the small pellet, young and older dwarf goats can assimilate the feed well. Last, but not least, 5083 goat pellet is a tasty complement to grass, hay or straw.

feeding advice for (dwarf)goats

• the guidline listed below for 1020 alfamix goat also applies to 5085 dwarf goats pellet and 5083 goat pellet
• don’t give goats any feed for sheep: goats have other nutritional needs concerning vitamins and copper
• pregnant (dwarf)goats need more feed at the end of gestation
• kids definitely need colostrum milk. Let them suckle the mother at least 8 weeks
• after about 14 days let the kids eat along with 1020 alfamix goat and hay. In that way their ruman/stomach develops correctly early on
• from 8 weeks on, feed kids daily about 1.5 procent of their bodyweight with 1020 alfamix goat
• make sure there are enough feeding spots. Goats have a strong hierarchy, and otherwise the lowest on the ladder could get too little and therefore lose in weight
• make sure that the goats have a continuous supply of roughage in the form of hay or grass and straw
• give little or no maize. Maize is rich in energy, which could make the goats too fat
• don’t give any extra minerals or vitamins, 1020 alfamix goat is just right
• make sure there’s always enough fresh drinking water
• the nutritional guidelines below are only an indication. The amount of feed is partly dependent on the condition of the animals Daily recommended amount of 1020 alfamix goat summer when less than 5º C and/or low roughage supply end of gestation and lactation dwarf goat (8 - 10 kg) 80 gram 170 gram 220 gram goat (18 – 25 kg) 150 gram 300 gram 400 gram