Feeding Meat Goats



We decided to start raising some boer goats last year and have had a great time doing it.  There has been a ton of learning that has gone into it and thank heavens for internet for research.  There is, however, an abundance of information out there and depending on what type of goats you are raising some may or may not apply.

We had decided to keep pasture fed goats as our cows are because we believe this is the healthier way to go for us.  Since getting our first three goats last year and many more this year all have done well on pasture with supplemental corn based feed.  We also keep a mineral block with them that they eat on as needed. 

We did get a bit of a shock when taking our goats to the county fair this year (our first time).  All the goats there were bigger and more muscular than ours.  In talking with everyone there it seems that no one pasture feeds -they all grain their goats from birth to sale and mostly with show feed.  Since returning from fair we have changed our feeding program a little.  They are still out on pasture, but they also get a daily ration of goat feed.  This supplements them in protein and nutrients.  

After doing my own research on the different feeds on the market and available locally, we decided to go with Kent goat feeds.  We have been using the 18% kid developer since the fair and wow!  What a difference it has made in only 6 weeks.  I highly recommend their feeds.  It is costing a little more than pasture with the corn based feed, but well worth it!  The goats look more muscular, have more energy and just act healthier overall.  Next year a couple months before the fair the goats that will be shown will switch to Kent Show Goat feed.  

We don't raise "show" goats and have every intention of someday having enough goats to sell goat meat.  We firmly believe in having happy, healthy goats no matter what their purpose.  We believe the Kent goat feed is assisting us in our endeavor to produce quality goats whether showing or butchering them. 

    Each day is what you make it out to be. . .Have a great one!!

The New School Lunch

Many have been hearing about the new school lunch program.  I think there are a few things that just need to be said about it.  While I have heard many complaints about it from the beginning, I do understand the need to try to control the obesity of America.  I told my children to give it a chance.  It is great that they added more fruits and veggies for the kids.  I am all for that and I am always working on ways to get my kids to eat healthier at home, which they do pretty well at, but could improve.

I didn't realize that by adding another fruit or veggie they are decreasing the portion size of the main entree, I guess in an effort to keep total calories within the limit?  This is leaving many of the kids hungry all afternoon!  This is happening every single day to a lot of the kids that are very active.  If there happens to be something they really don't like on the tray then they are starving!  This is happening to kids of all ages -elementary through high school on a regular basis!

It is costing me a fortune!  

Not only is my highschooler buying more extras than usual, but now even the elementary kids have to get extras so they aren't hungry!  I can't hardly tell them no -the first few weeks of school they didn't get extas and almost every day they came home complaining of "starving".  They told me they had been hungry since lunch! My kids are used to coming home after the 45 minute bus ride, grabbing an apple or pear and heading outside to play and do chores until supper time.  

The fact is that active kids need more calories per day than kids who go right home and sit all evening.  As I understand, the amount of calories allowed to 17 year olds who play sports is not much more than the 6th grade students who do just that -go home and sit.  Some of these kids have practice right after school until 6 or 6:30.  In the high school the kids are only being allowed what was described to me as 2 medicine cups of meat when they eat salad bar!  Really?  Kids need protein to grow and energy to be active!!!  I have actually heard some reports of football players almost passing out in practice due to not eating enough throughout the day.  This is just unacceptable!

These kids used to go get a small snack after school, now they are going for a big bag of chips instead! This doesn't seem to be the effect anyone was hoping for, but it is the reality!

The last thing I want to say is that, while none of my own children are obese in any way, there are many kids who are.  This is a huge problem and contributes to many health problems later in life for them if they don't learn to eat right now.  That being said, good nutrition starts at home!  If these kids are going home hungry like many kids are then they are probably eating snacks when they get there.  If they aren't choosing fruits and veggies regularly they are probably having that bag of chips, a brownie, doughnut or a candy bar.  If they are already more hungry than usual they will eat more of these things and the obesity problem will continue.

We cannot change the obesity problem in America until kids start eating right at home and being active!