Feeding goats in winter requires adjusting their diet to provide more energy and sufficient roughage, primarily through hay, to help them stay warm and healthy.
Winter Feeding Needs for Goats
During the cold winter months, goats have increased nutritional requirements compared to warmer seasons. This is because they expend more energy simply trying to maintain their core body temperature in the lower environmental temperatures. Providing a diet with higher energy density is crucial to meet this demand.
Providing Essential Roughage
A cornerstone of a goat's winter diet is roughage. Roughage is vital for their digestive system and helps generate internal heat through fermentation, further aiding in warmth regulation.
Roughage can be supplied in various forms of hay:
- Grass hay: A good basic source of fiber and energy.
- Alfalfa hay: Can be a great source of both energy and protein.
- Mixed hay: Offers a combination of nutrients depending on the mix of grasses and legumes.
Important Consideration: When feeding alfalfa hay, care should be taken when feeding bucks and wethers (castrated males) because of the risk of urinary calculi (stones). The high calcium content in alfalfa can contribute to this condition.
Ensuring constant access to clean, fresh water is also critical, even in freezing temperatures, as proper hydration is essential for digestion and overall health. Supplementing with minerals specifically formulated for goats is also recommended year-round.
