It’s just as simple as it goes: the more the weight on your goat, the more the meat you obtain. Raising meat goats is a challenging, yet rewarding experience. By understanding the nutritional needs of goats, you will be able to raise health and fattened goats overtime.

Raising meat goats is different from raising sheep and cattle for their meat. It is a grueling and dedicated work, which requires patience and time. This is because goats are more energetic than the other animals and they burn a lot of calories as they run around. Therefore, balanced and right food consumption is needed to make them gain weight.

 

Here are some tips on putting weight on meat goats:

 

  • Feed the goats corn and oats. These grains are the quickest and simplest ways for weight gain in goats, as they have high carbohydrate content. Give the goats 1.5 pounds of grain a day for healthy consumption. Feed them with had or out of a trough, and do not sprinkle the grains on the ground.

 

  • Feed the goats grass. A goat needs a feed daily from a field pasture. Eating grass and plants, along with bugs, is extremely beneficial for goats.

 

  • Give the goats vitamin and mineral supplements. By giving them a multivitamin daily, the carbohydrate, fat, and protein level is balanced in the goats bodies. These vitamin and mineral supplements designed for goats are available at feed stores. Calcium, phosphorous, selenium, iron, magnesium and copper are some of the highly important nutrients the goat needs to gain weight and stay healthy.

 

  • Feed the goats proteins. Proteins make the muscle of a body, and it also helps in carbohydrate digestion. Lack of protein in goats diets leads to quick digestions of carbohydrate, which in turn decreases the goat’s energy and the absorption of minerals.

 

  • Provide water to the goats. Water is very important for goats, especially those that are pregnant and lactating, and those that live in dry and hot areas. Place a water trough for the goats.