A sample ration for dairy goats

Written by Maurice Rangoma.

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In formulating a ration for dairy goats it is important to note the best way to feed goats and that the rations will be presented to the animals in the stalls. There are advantages of stall feeding because:-

You do not need a large amount of land or grazing pastures
You can use many farm products, banana leaves, maize, maize thinnings, bean husks, etc.
It saves time and labor, you do not have to take goats out of the shamba for grazing or spend time looking for them
There are less death amongst the kids and all goats because they can be easily looked after throughout the day
It is easier to plan and manage breeding
It keeps goats from eating crops and damaging the shamba
It makes collecting manure very easy
It helps in controlling pests and diseases.

Common dairy goat feeds

Pasture & Fodder

Napier grass - ¼ acre per goat per year
desmodium – interplanted with Napier grass or pure stand
Calliandra – Feed green or hay, 20 trees per goat
Leucaenia spp
Sweet potato vines
Sesbania spp
Pigeon peas plant
Natural grass

Crops residues

Maize stover
Rice bran
Sorghum stover
Bean straws
Ground nut straws

Concentrates

Dairy meal
Jassey sugar
Cakes e.g. sunflower cake

Minerals

Maclick super

Unga high phosphorous (powder 20g per day)

Water

At least 8 liters of clean water

A sample ration

Dairy goats rations are formulated from roughages mainly sourced from forages, water, minerals and concentrates. Dairy goats should be fed according to body weight and physiological requirements. Dry matter amount is critical in feeding dairy goats. The dry matter requirement is 6% of the body weight.

A goat weighing 30Kg will require 1.8Kg of dry matter (DM). Here is an example of an ideal daily ration for dairy goat