Before You Feed Another Goat, Read This

Currently Happening on the Farm
Instead of talking about my farm this week, I want to feature one of your farms.

If you want your homestead featured in a future newsletter, reply to this email with a few photos and a short note about what you are currently doing, any issues you are facing, or lessons you have learned so far. I love seeing what everyone is building and how you are making it work.

With that said, let’s meet SJ and their homestead.

Featured Reader: SJ’s Homestead
SJ wrote,

My Thoughts for SJ
That is such a great setup to start from. I really like the idea of using boxes to smother the grass. That method works well and keeps the soil structure intact. For mulch, check with local tree trimming companies or your county’s brush recycling center. Many will drop off free wood chips if you ask. Another good option is a sawmill or lumberyard that chips scrap wood. Sometimes you can haul a full load home for free.

If any of y’all have more ideas for SJ on where to find free or affordable mulch, please reply to this email. I’d love to hear your thoughts and share your tips in the next newsletter.

Thank you all for the support on these newsletters. I couldn’t do it without you. I hope one day Start My Homestead becomes a community of millions of people from all over the world who share the same goal of connecting back to their roots through homesteading.

With that said, let’s hop into today’s topic with our friends, the goats.

Feeding Goats the Right Way

Feeding goats can seem simple at first, but it is one of the biggest areas people get wrong. Goats are browsers, not grazers. They prefer leaves, weeds, shrubs, and brush before they ever touch grass.

If you feed them like cattle, they will survive but not thrive. Here is what has worked best for us and what I have learned from years of trial and error.

Forage and Hay

Pasture is great, but variety is better. Goats do best with mixed forage that includes native brush, weeds, and woody plants. When forage is low, feed quality grass hay or alfalfa. Avoid moldy or dusty hay because goats are sensitive to respiratory issues.

Grain and Feed

Grain is fine in moderation, but too much causes bloating or urinary stones, especially in males. Keep it simple: half a pound to one pound per adult goat daily is enough unless they are in heavy milk or underweight.

If you buy commercial feed, look for one with 14 to 16 percent protein and no added urea. Always introduce new feed slowly to avoid digestive problems.

Minerals and Supplements

Goats need minerals. Do not skip this part. Free-choice loose minerals designed for goats are best. Blocks are too hard, and they will not get enough.

Copper is a big one. Deficiency shows up as rough coats, hair loss on the face, and general poor condition. If your soil or water is high in iron, sulfur, or calcium, they may need copper boluses every few months.

Selenium and Vitamin E are also critical, especially in regions with deficient soils. If your area is low in selenium, supplement it under a vet’s direction.

Water

Goats will not drink dirty water. They will stand thirsty beside a full trough if it smells off. Keep it clean and fresh daily.

Bonus Tip
Salt is not the same as minerals. Offer both separately so they can balance their intake naturally.

Tool I Recommend
If you want to make mineral feeding easy and clean, this is the one I like:
KANE Sheep/Goat Mineral Feeder
It keeps minerals dry and off the ground, which means less waste and healthier goats. Using this link is the best way to support this newsletter if you find it helpful.

Fun Fact
Goats can detect the difference between clean and dirty water using their sense of smell before ever tasting it.

Closing Thoughts
Feeding goats right makes everything else easier. Strong nutrition means fewer health problems, better coats, and more energy. Do not overthink it. Clean hay, variety, minerals, and water go a long way.

Bonus: Why I Write This Newsletter
I started Start My Homestead because I wanted to share what real farming and homesteading look like, the wins, the mistakes, and everything in between. I am 20 years old, and my goal is to help inspire more people my age, and even those older than me, to start homesteading. It connects us to our roots, builds real skills, and reminds us where our food comes from. My hope is that these newsletters show how possible it is to build something meaningful right where you are.

Next week, we will talk about goat health and how to handle the most common issues before they turn into bigger problems.

-Tim Parker
Start My Homestead