Agriculture Reference
In-Depth Information
Feeding shelves
The best solution is a feeding shelf protected by a feeding gate through which the goats stick
their heads to eat. A feeding station that keeps goats separated while they eat prevents the big-
ger animals and dominant does from depriving the smaller goats of the grain and high protein
feed they need to produce milk.
The feeding shelf should be at least 19 ½ inches wide and long enough to accommodate all
the goats. For large, fully grown goats, the shelf should be mounted at a height of 15 ½ to 19
½ inches above the floor. Kids and smaller goats can be accommodated by building the shelf
so its height can be adjusted as they grow or by placing a narrow step or shelf in front of the
feeding gate about 10 inches above the floor, on which they can place their front feet while
feeding. Nail a raised edge or board along the front of the feeding shelf to keep the food from
sliding off.
A feeding gate in front of the feeding shelf acts as a barrier that prevents goats from jumping
onto the shelf. Goats thrust their heads through openings in the feeding gate and sort through
the food on the shelf, picking out what they want to eat. The feeding gate forces the goats to
spread out while feeding and ensures each goat has equal access to the feeding shelf. In addi-
tion to the feeding shelf, you can place a hayrack on the wall in the resting area and fill it with
inferior hay. Anytime they want, the goats can eat hay from the rack, and whatever falls on
the floor becomes part of their bedding. Also, you could suspend a hook from the ceiling to
hold bunches of fresh forage. Mount mineral licks on a wall or a stand up off the floor to keep
them from being stepped on and soiled.
Plans for building goat feeding stations are widely available online or from county agricultur-
al extension offices. Many goat farmers build their own, and some are willing to build them
for other goat owners. Dairy suppliers and goat supply catalogs sell ready-made feeding sta-
tions. Regardless of which types of feeders you choose, always have safety in mind. Try to
imagine all the ways that a goat can be injured before you invest in any feeder.
Watering
Goats always need a supply of fresh, clean drinking water, especially when they are lactating.
For a small herd of a few goats, you can supply water in buckets or tubs. Several small con-
tainers are preferable to a single large one because they are easier to clean, and if one is soiled
or spilled, there is still clean water in another container. Because goats tend to knock these
