Things You'll Need
- Plastic trash can with cover
- Bucket
- Feed scale
- Corn
- Oats
- Beet pulp
- Wet molasses
- Soybean or cottonseed meal
- Goat mineral mix
- Hand trowel or grain scoop
Instructions
Weigh your measuring bucket on a scale to verify its empty weight; you'll need to add this amount to the desired weight of each grain ingredient that you put in the bucket to determine the total bucket weight. For example, if the empty bucket weight 2 lbs. and you need 10 lbs. of cracked corn, then you'll want the total bucket weight to be 12 lbs. (10 lbs. grain ingredient + 2 lbs. bucket weight).
Measure out 19 lbs. of cracked or rolled corn into the bucket. Pour this corn into the plastic trashcan. Measure out 14 lbs. of whole or rolled oats into the bucket and pour it into the trashcan. Add to the trashcan 7 lbs. each of beet pulp (which increases the grain's roughage or fiber content) and wet molasses (which binds the dry ingredients together and makes the entire grain mixture more palatable for your goats).
Fill the measuring bucket with 21 lbs. of soybean or cottonseed meal to serve as your grain's main protein source. Pour the protein meal into the trashcan. Top the grain mixture with 2 lbs. of a pre-mixed goat mineral mix (which includes multiple vitamins and minerals, such as copper, selenium, calcium, phosphorus, potassium, and vitamins A, D and E that are essential for goat health).
Blend the grain ingredients together with a trowel or grain scoop to ensure that they're completely mixed. Secure the lid tightly on the trashcan and store the goat feed mix, which should be approximately 70 lbs., in a dry, protected location that is safely out of reach of your goats.