How to Feed Beet Pulp to Goats

Dairy goats produce milk suitable for human consumption and feeding kids. The proper diet will keep does healthy and productive and their nourishing milk will ensure healthy kids. According to the 4-H Goat Project Development Committee, beet pulp is part of a healthy mixture for feeding dairy goats 4 months old and older. Dairy goats need a higher ratio of beet pulp to grain to provide them and their kids with the required nutrients.

Things You'll Need

  • Barley or oats
  • Beet pulp
  • Wheat, mixed feed or mill run
  • Linseed, cottonseed or soybean oil meal
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Instructions

    • 1

      Prepare a mixture of grain feed for nonpregnant does 4 months old and older. Mix 3 pounds of beet pulp with 10 pounds of barley or oats, 3 pounds of wheat, mixed feed or mill run and 4 pounds of linseed, cottonseed or soybean oil meal.

    • 2

      Offer 1 pound of the mixture per goat per day along with as much salt as the doe will eat and as much fresh water as the doe will drink. In addition to the grain mixture, goats should be let outside to graze in a pasture as much as they want to. Alfalfa hay and native grasses are best for pasture feeding. Once the doe becomes pregnant, feed the same amount and ratio of grain mix. During pregnancy, the goat should graze on grass instead of hay.

    • 3

      Inspect the goat during pregnancy to determine when she is due. Right before a goat is due, her tail bone rises, she chews food rapidly, she becomes restless and her udders appear bright pink, shiny and full. When you see these signs, change the ratio of the grain mixture throughout the lactation period.

    • 4

      Prepare a mixture of 11 pounds of barley or oats with 3 pounds of beet pulp, 5 pounds of wheat, mixed feed or mill run and 2 pounds of linseed, cottonseed or soybean oil meal. Offer at least 1 pound of the mix to each lactating doe per day. If she produces more than 2 quarts of milk each day, add an additional pound of food for each additional 2 quarts. Allow the lactating doe to eat her fill of alfalfa hay and salt and continue providing fresh water.