Chat
08-25-2014, 07:48 AM
(This post was last modified: 08-25-2014, 07:50 AM by Dave-Trinity-Farms.)
Nice that you live so close to WSU. Saves a bit on the fed ex bill 
And to address your comments.
Your vet told you wrong. There is absolutely not difference of a goats chance to spread CAE depending upon its age. Either your vet has no real understanding of the disease OR just doesnt think goats are important enough to worry about. CAE is a retro virus and is in the same class as the AIDS virus in humans. There is never a time or age when it is any less dangerous. Its is mainly passed through blood and milk.
Alfalfa pellets, although better then most grass hays in terms of protein, still only has 16% and is a processed food. But goats need more then just a processed food, they need fresh greens for the vitamin E. Also how much are you feeding? Its hard to judge how much a goat needs of just pellets. Yes its less wasteful but your question wasnt about waste, it was about weight and how to put in on your goat. I did a little looking and you are surrounded by alfalfa. Might have to drive for an hour or so to get into better areas but a quick craigslist check brought up a large number of alfalfa sellers.
Mineral blocks, although better then nothing are not good for goats. They cant get enough outta the block fast enough to suit their higher metabolisms. They will often times grind down their teeth to the gums trying to get out the minerals in a block. Now you made mention its less wasteful. I dont understand this. There should be no waste what so ever. We put it in a lip pan in a dry place at about chest level so they can easily get at the loose mineral and never waste a grain of it.
And to address your comments. Your vet told you wrong. There is absolutely not difference of a goats chance to spread CAE depending upon its age. Either your vet has no real understanding of the disease OR just doesnt think goats are important enough to worry about. CAE is a retro virus and is in the same class as the AIDS virus in humans. There is never a time or age when it is any less dangerous. Its is mainly passed through blood and milk.
Alfalfa pellets, although better then most grass hays in terms of protein, still only has 16% and is a processed food. But goats need more then just a processed food, they need fresh greens for the vitamin E. Also how much are you feeding? Its hard to judge how much a goat needs of just pellets. Yes its less wasteful but your question wasnt about waste, it was about weight and how to put in on your goat. I did a little looking and you are surrounded by alfalfa. Might have to drive for an hour or so to get into better areas but a quick craigslist check brought up a large number of alfalfa sellers.
Mineral blocks, although better then nothing are not good for goats. They cant get enough outta the block fast enough to suit their higher metabolisms. They will often times grind down their teeth to the gums trying to get out the minerals in a block. Now you made mention its less wasteful. I dont understand this. There should be no waste what so ever. We put it in a lip pan in a dry place at about chest level so they can easily get at the loose mineral and never waste a grain of it.