If you’re new to goat farming or raising a small herd, one of the first questions you’ll ask is: what to feed goats daily?
Goats are curious, active animals with unique nutritional needs. Feeding them properly isn’t just about filling a trough—it’s about giving them the right balance of forage, minerals, and supplements to keep them healthy, strong, and productive.
In this guide, we’ll cover what goats should eat every day, what to avoid, and how to build a daily feeding routine that works for both meat and dairy goats.
The Basics: What Do Goats Eat?
Goats are ruminants, which means they have a four-chambered stomach designed to digest fibrous plant materials. Their natural diet mainly consists of forage (like grass, weeds, shrubs, and leaves), hay, grains or concentrates (in moderation), minerals and salt, and clean, fresh water. They’re known as browsers—not grazers like sheep or cows. This means they often prefer twigs, leaves, and brush over just grass. Variety is key.
Daily Goat Feeding Checklist
Here’s a simple breakdown of what to feed goats daily.
Forage or Pasture (Free Access)
This should make up at least 50–70% of a goat’s diet. If your goats have access to a pasture, that’s ideal. They’ll happily nibble on grass, brush, and low tree branches. No pasture? Provide high-quality grass hay or legume hay (like alfalfa for milking goats). Offer forage free-choice — meaning, available to them throughout the day.
Hay (2–4 lbs per day)
A goat typically eats 2–4% of its body weight in dry matter daily. An average adult goat (about 100 lbs) might eat 2–4 lbs of hay each day, especially if pasture isn’t available. Alfalfa is high in protein and great for lactating does. Grass hay like Timothy or orchard grass is good for bucks and non-milking goats.
Grain or Concentrates (Optional & Controlled)
Only offer grains if your goats need the extra calories—during pregnancy, lactation, or for growing kids. Too much grain can cause bloat or acidosis. Feed no more than ½ to 1 cup per goat per day, depending on the goat’s size and activity. Use goat-specific commercial grain mixes when possible.
Minerals (Always Available)
Goats need access to loose, free-choice mineral supplements made specifically for goats. Avoid block-type minerals—goats don’t lick them as effectively. Look for minerals with added copper, selenium, and calcium (especially important in certain regions). Also offer baking soda free-choice to help prevent bloat.
Salt
Some mineral blends include salt, but if not, add a plain white salt block or loose salt for balance.
Clean, Fresh Water (Daily!)
Goats drink 1–3 gallons of water daily, and more during hot weather or lactation. Make sure water containers are clean, unfrozen in winter, and refilled regularly.
What NOT to Feed Goats
Some foods can be toxic or cause health issues. Avoid feeding goats moldy or dusty hay, lawn clippings (may ferment quickly), avocado, azaleas, rhubarb, and oleander (toxic), bread, pasta, or processed foods, and too much grain or sweet feed. Goats will try to eat anything, but that doesn’t mean they should. Watch for signs of digestive upset and adjust feed if needed.
Sample Daily Feeding Routine (Per Adult Goat)
Here’s an example of a basic daily routine.
Morning:
- Hay (2–3 lbs)
- Fresh water
- Minerals + salt checked
Midday (if needed):
- Small grain portion (½ cup)
- Refill water
Evening:
- Hay (1–2 lbs)
- Check that minerals are still available
- Quick health check while feeding
If goats are on full pasture, hay amounts can be reduced.
Seasonal Feeding Tips
Winter: More hay is needed due to less available pasture and higher calorie needs
Summer: Focus on hydration and monitor for dehydration or heat stress
Breeding/lactation: Increase protein and calcium through grain or alfalfa
Kids (baby goats): Start with milk or milk replacer, then slowly introduce grain and hay around 2–3 weeks old
Final Thoughts
Knowing what to feed goats daily is a key part of keeping your herd healthy and happy. Stick to a routine, offer plenty of roughage, supplement with minerals, and make sure they have access to fresh water at all times.
Each goat is a little different, so watch their behavior, body condition, and appetite to make any adjustments. With the right daily diet, your goats will thrive—whether you’re raising them for milk, meat, fiber, or just fun.