Pygmy Goat Homepage

Question: I have 2 pygmy goats- ive had them for about a month.?

(Posted by: Nathan on 2009-08-26 09:01:43)

During the first few days they were happily eating the grass in their pen, but since then i have seen them eat any - we might even need a lawnmover in there soon!!! Ive reed online that most goats eat the grass in their pen to the dirt. So are they sick??

Posted by: Justme on 2009-08-26, 09:49:00

Feeding pygmy goats is relatively easy. They require good quality alfalfa fed twice a day usually supplemented with grain for bucks and does. . Wethers should not be fed grain after they are weaned due to the high possibility they will develop urinary calculi (stones). Fresh clean water is of course a must. A bucket can be used but should be elevated off the ground for cleanliness.. exercise caution with buckets around kids as they can fall in and can't get out. Automatic waters are more expensive but save a lot of time. They should be checked every day for cleanliness and to make sure they work. The hay should be kept off the ground as well, hung on the fence or in a shelter in a metal rack. The grain mix we use consists of : 6 parts rolled barley, 4.5 parts rolled oats, 2.5 parts rolled corn, 1.5 parts soybean pellets. This is marketed as BYU mix, but stores often have their own packaged locally and sell it as a generic dry goat grain.. If you can't find it or order it, consider buying the individual ingredients and mixing it yourself.

Posted by: pissy_old_lady on 2009-08-26, 09:24:14

Goats are grazers...if you want somethng to eat your grass to the dirt and almost kill it then you need sheep..goats are more like horses in the manner that they will always travel thinking something farther away must taste better. My goats I had would stay with my horses much of the time, but they enjoyed the grass under my kids' swing set..no matter where I moved it...and my favourite flowers..oh, and one enjoyed rubbing and chewing the wheel well of a brand new transport (that went over well)..so, they will get out, travel around..they need pasture and grain to ensure their health. Watch them to see if they are getting out and treating themselves to another section of your farm.