Hi..We bought a goat mineral block today. We have three does and a buck. Do they just eat their fill and then maintain with these blocks? Do we just leave it in there? The cows always used to eat it pretty hard and heavy and then just seemed to maintain .. just wondering if this was the same with goats. Thank you very much.

-- Sher (riverdobbers@webtv.net), April 07, 2002

Answers

We use both mineral blocks and loose minerals. We have found that loose minerals seem to work better. Either way, yes, goats just take or lick what they need. Blocks can be a little hard on their teeth.

-- Bernice (geminigoats@yahoo.com), April 07, 2002.

Thank you so much Bernice..I appreciate your answers to questions and even though I do not post much on this site...I find myself spending alot of time reading on here (LOL waaaaaay too much time probably!) If you have time..I was worrying about my goats being too fat. The billy is even getting fat. They are on no grain (the only time I have grained them is when they are about to kid and while I am milking them) just hay and water. Should I be doing something different? Thanks so much...have a good night..

-- Sher (riverdobbers@webtv.net), April 08, 2002.

Hi Sher, what kind of goats? I have a piece of a 50 pound mineral block from years ago, we use loose mineral because the goats can eat more of it when they want to, takes an awful lot of licking, and goats don't have a tongue like a cow :) I certainly don't want my girls chewing on a mineral block. It is fairly simple to keep boer goats in good shape, now let them nurse two growing kids for awhile and it will challenge anybodys management. Growing stock and unused bucks also can put on a great deal of weight on just hay and browse. Get them bred and milking or use a buck heavily and they will quickly use of any fat you have been able to get on them. I was out with the bucks today, one a yearling and one just turned 7, they are fat and sleek, even though E bred 4 herds. But wait till fall, he will be thin again! I always run my hands over my goats ribs to check for body condition, you can't look at a big rumen full of grass and hay and even know if a diary goat is in good shape or not. Vicki

-- Vicki McGaugh TX (Nubians) (vickilonesomedoe@hotmail.com), April 08, 2002.

Hi Vicki.. Thanks for answering. The billy is a boer. One two year old is a big Saanan doe that has never been bred before now. One is a two year old nubie doe that has had one kid..and one is the yearling doe of the nubie..hopefully all are bred by now. I just look at them and think..oh my..they are fat little things! I guess, when I think of it, everything on the place..including me..is a little plump this spring. All except hubby...how does that man stay so thin?!?

-- Sher (riverdobbers@webtv.net), April 08, 2002.