Nutritional Considerations

Meat goats require nutrients for body maintenance, growth, reproduction, pregnancy, and production of meat, milk and hair. The groups of nutrients that are essential in goat nutrition are water, carbohydrates, protein, minerals and vitamins. Goats should be grouped according to their nutritional needs to more effectively match forage quality and supply to animal needs. Weaned goats prepared for market, does during the last month of gestation, high-lactating does and young replacement doelings have the highest nutritional requirements and should be grouped separately from dry does and bucks, which have only maintenance nutritional needs. Does carrying or nursing twins or triplets have greater nutritional requirements than does nursing a single kid. Goats grazing very hilly pastures will have higher nutritional needs than goats on level pastures of the same quality because they will expend more energy to gather feed.

Luginbuhl, J-M. 2006. Pastures for Meat Goats. In: Meat Goat Production Handbook, ed. T.A. Gipson, R.C. Merkel, K. Williams, and T. Sahlu, Langston University, ISBN 1-880667-04-5.

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