A ruminant’s diet consists of roughages and concentrates. Since 45% to 64% of the cost of production is feeding, good feeding management can reduce the cost of production significantly.

Roughages are included in the diet, especially in small ruminants such as goats to reduce the risk of digestive disturbances. Foraging preferences of goats encompass a wider spectrum of plants than for other ruminants. Goats are inclined to forage or browse from the top downward on a plant; therefore, consider making them an effective biological herbicide for controlling many undesirable plants and/or shrubs. As selective browsers, their grazing behavior facilitates their ability to survive under more harsh semi-arid conditions than either sheep or cattle.

Goats are good browsers and can selectively utilize a wide variety of shrubs, woody plants, weeds and briers. Depending on the management system, you may use pastures, dry forage (hay), and silage or haylage. Silage and haylage in moderation and along with other roughages are very good sources of roughage for goats. Very young goats (up to 6 months) should not be fed silage.

Goats have a special interest in garden products that can be effectively incorporated into their diet. Rape, kale or beets commonly are added to the diet of the animals. Under controlled feeding, these animals adapt well to by-products and surplus feeds including discarded produce. Some surplus or damaged produce like carrots, artichokes and turnips should be used with caution.

Cabbage contains goitrogens, which may interfere with thyroid hormones and should be limited to 30 percent of total dry matter intake. Beets are very palatable to goats and up to 1 kg DM per day can be consumed without any problems.

Avoid feeding clippings from rhododendron or prunings from cherry, apricot or peach trees because when wilted, they may be toxic to goats. Sweetpotato forage and its mixture with grasses provide an inexpensive

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