Feeding Guide

How to Feed Goats

Goats are browsers, not grazers — they prefer brush and forbs over grass pasture. Their baseline nutrition comes from forage (hay and browse), with grain supplemented based on production stage and body condition. Getting minerals right is as important as the grain you choose. This guide covers general industry guidelines — always verify with your specific feed bag label.

Note: Feeding rates are general guidelines based on University Extension recommendations and manufacturer guidance. Goats vary significantly by breed, body condition, and production level. Always confirm amounts with your feed bag label and consult a veterinarian for herd health concerns. Always read your specific feed bag label for manufacturer-recommended feeding rates.

Feeding by Life Stage

Stage	Age / Weight	Daily Amount	Protein Target	Notes
Newborn Kid	Birth – 2 weeks	Colostrum first 24–48 hrs; then 10–15% of body weight/day in milk	N/A (milk-fed)	Colostrum within 30 min of birth is critical for passive immunity. Dam-raised or bottle-fed both work.
Nursing Kid	2 weeks – 8 weeks	Free-choice starter grain + milk; 8 oz milk 3x/day bottle-fed	16–18% in starter grain	Introduce starter grain and good hay by week 2 to develop rumen. Offer fresh water even on milk.
Weaned Kid / Grower	8 weeks – 5–6 months	0.5–1 lb grain/day + free-choice hay	14–16%	Transition off milk at 8–12 weeks. Hay quality matters — aim for leafy, fine-stemmed forage.
Yearling / Developing Does	5 months – first breeding	0.5 lb grain/day + free-choice hay; adjust by body condition	12–14%	Avoid overconditioning before first freshening. Body condition score (BCS) of 2.5–3.5 at breeding.
Dry Doe (Maintenance)	Dry period / off-season	0–0.5 lb grain/day + free-choice hay	10–12%	Good-quality hay may be sufficient for maintenance. Avoid excess grain — prevents overconditioned does.
Late Gestation	Last 6 weeks of pregnancy	Gradually increase to 1.5 lb grain/day	14–16%	Flushing (increasing feed pre-breeding) improves kidding rates. Fetal growth is rapid in final weeks.
Lactating Dairy Doe	Freshening through peak milk	1 lb grain per 2–3 lbs milk produced (varies by breed)	16–18%	Dairy does have the highest energy demands of any goat. Feed twice daily at milking. Monitor BCS closely.
Bucks / Wethers	Mature males	0.5 lb grain + free-choice hay; more during rut	10–12% (maintenance), 14–16% during rut	Wethers are prone to urinary calculi — avoid high-phosphorus grain and ensure adequate water. Ammonium chloride helps prevent blockages.

* These are general industry guidelines based on extension service recommendations. Actual needs vary by breed, body condition, and environment. Always verify with your feed bag label.

When to Switch Feed Types

Goats should never have their feed changed abruptly — rumen bacteria need time to adapt to new feedstuffs. Any transition (new hay, new grain, new brand) should take at least 7–10 days. The most critical stage transitions: move kids to starter grain by 2 weeks, switch to grower at weaning, and ramp up grain gradually before freshening. Minerals are often the missing piece in goat nutrition — copper deficiency is extremely common and affects coat quality, immune function, and parasite resistance. Copper-adequate loose minerals should be offered free-choice year-round. The Shegogg Creek Goat Mineral we carry from Hillsboro is formulated specifically for this region.

Transitioning to Non-GMO Feed

Non-GMO grain transitions in goats should be gradual to avoid digestive upset and temporary milk production dips in dairy does. The rumen flora need time to adjust to any feed change.

7–10 Day Transition Schedule

1Days 1–3: Mix 75% current grain with 25% new Non-GMO grain
2Days 4–6: Equal 50/50 mix — watch for loose manure or feed refusal
3Days 7–9: 25% old grain with 75% new Non-GMO grain
4Day 10+: 100% new Non-GMO feed

What to Watch For

✓Loose manure or off-feed behavior usually resolves within 3–5 days
✓Dairy does may show a small temporary dip in production — expect recovery within 2 weeks
✓Coat condition improvement (especially with soy-free feeds) typically visible in 4–8 weeks
✓Mineral balance: if switching to a new grain formula, re-evaluate your mineral supplementation program

Recommended Products for Goats

Available at BooneTop Farms & Feed, 1460 Highway 100 West, Centerville, TN

Hillsboro Feed Company

Non-GMO 18% Dairy Goat Pelleted

Best for: Lactating does and breeding does

Usually In Stock

Hillsboro Feed Company

Shegogg Creek Goat Mineral

Best for: All goats — free-choice year-round

Usually In Stock

KOFFI

Goat Grain Mix 16%

Best for: Certified organic option for all classes

Usually In Stock

KOFFI

Organic Alfalfa Pellets

Best for: High-protein forage supplement, late gestation

Usually In Stock

Kalmbach Feeds

16% Goat Pellet (Non-GMO)

Best for: All classes of goats, maintenance

Usually In Stock

Kalmbach Feeds

Goat Granola® Goat Feed

Best for: Soy-free option for all classes

Usually In Stock

Browse All Products →

Seasonal Feeding Considerations

🌱 Spring

Kidding season for most herds. Ensure mineral supplementation is adequate pre-kidding. Lush spring pasture is low in dry matter — don't reduce hay suddenly when turnout increases.

☀️ Summer

Parasite pressure peaks in warm humid months. FAMACHA scoring and targeted deworming is recommended. Adequate copper (via mineral) supports natural parasite resistance.

🍂 Fall

Breeding season (October–November for most breeds). Flush does 2–3 weeks before the buck goes in — a small grain increase boosts ovulation rate and kidding percentage.

❄️ Winter

Late gestation for spring-kidding herds. Ramp up grain in the final 6 weeks. Ensure adequate shelter, dry bedding, and consistent access to unfrozen water.

Questions About Feeding Your Goats?

Text or call us — we're farmers too and happy to help you find the right feed.

Text 931-217-5556 Call (931) 217-5556

1460 Highway 100 West, Centerville, TN 37033 · Mon/Thu/Fri 10am–6pm · Sat 10am–3pm