How to Feed Mini Goats

Pygmy goats, commonly referred to as miniature (or mini) goats, are a small breed of domestic goat. They were originally bred in West Africa and became popular zoo animals in the U.S. during the 1950s. Because of their small size and friendly disposition, they are good pets for urban farmers and novice goat owners. Feeding them can prove challenging, however, because they have very specific dietary needs that many commercial goat feeds cannot meet.

Things You'll Need

  • Mineral lick
  • Hay
  • Grains
  • Water
  • Water dish
  • Manger
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Instructions

    • 1

      Feed the goats a diet that meets their daily nutritional requirements. Mini goats require three different categories of food: grains, hay and minerals. Good hay choices include alfalfa, clover and Timothy hay. Pregnant or nursing does, kids and adult bucks require grains while other goats do not. The simplest way to provide goats grains is to feed a prepackaged goat grain mix. Check the ingredients and make sure the food does not contain meat, which can cause kidney problems. Mini goats should also be provided with a mineral lick, which can be purchased at farm stores. These mineral bars provide salt and other vital nutrients.

    • 2

      Provide constant access to hay in an elevated manger. Keep the hay dry. Access to grains should be limited to 4 cups of grain per day for lactating does, 2.5 cups for bucks and 1 cup for kids. If the goats begin gaining weight, cut down on grains before eliminating other foods.

    • 3

      Give your goats constant access to fresh water. Mini are ruminants, which means they eat their food, partially digest it and then regurgitate it. After regurgitation, goats ingest the food again. This process helps them to fully absorb the nutrients in their food. Without access to water, however, the process of regurgitation causes dehydration. Give water in a large, elevated water dish.

    • 4

      Hand feed young goats in order to tame them. Pygmy goats have incisors on their bottom jaws only, which makes it easy to avoid accidental bites. Simply put some hay in your flattened hand and allow the goat to nibble it out. When goats associate people with direct access to food, they become less skittish.