This article was originally shown in the Spring 2020 issue of OMAFRA’s Dairy Goat Digest and authored by Marlene Paibomesai, Dairy Specialist, OMAFRA.
Dairy goats spend a large amount of time feeding throughout the day. Dry matter intake is an important aspect of milk production and goat health. This article will explain some recent research that is focused on goat feeding behaviours and the occurrence of sub-acute ruminal acidosis (SARA).
FEEDING BEHAVIOR AND FEEDER HEIGHT
Goats are browsers and intermediate feeders (between grass and roughage) by nature. Their dentition is designed in a way that allows the goat to eat the small leaves on shrubs while leaving the stem and short grasses. Goats are adaptable and in a natural feeding scenario goat will vary their choice of feed according to season and available feed stuff. Goats are sensitive eaters and drinkers. They will reduce their intake of water if the water is off-tasting. They will also refuse feed that is soiled. For these reasons the feeding behavior of goats is different from cattle and sheep.
The delivery and presentation of feed is one key aspect that can impact feed intake and feeding behaviour. Keil et al. 2017, tested goats at different feeder heights and step-up heights to determine what height resulted in a relaxed body posture. The researchers evaluated the goat’s ability to reach for feed without putting pressure onto the feeder. There was no impact on body posture of step-ups up to 20 cm in height. The researchers did not test higher step-ups. A feeder height of 10cm and higher from the level of the feet, allowed the goats to reach a further distance into the manger with a relaxed body posture. This was dependent on the height of the goat at their withers with taller goats being able to reach a further distance in the manger (Keil et al. 2017).
More recently, Dr. Gosia Zobel from AgResearch Ltd. in New Zealand has tested elevated feeders and the impact on dry matter intake at 0cm, 60cm and 90 cm of elevation. Goats preferred the elevated feeder with a step-up at 90cm from floor level and the head level feeders (60cm from floor level) over the non-elevated feeder. The goats had increased dry matter intakes, more visits and more displacements of other goats at the head and elevated feed compared to the floor level feeders (Zobel et al., 2019).
CONCLUSIONS
Goats are sensitive to changes in feed. Ensuring consistency in feed offered to goats is a key feature to improved goat performance. There are three checks that should be done to ensure that your nutritional program is working for your herd. Consulting with a nutritionist is recommended. Producers can:
- Check feed quality and balancing for appropriate nutrition according to stage of lactation, age of the animal (i.e. doelings vs. pregnant milking does), and other impacts on nutritional needs of an animal;
- Focus on how feed is delivered including feeder height, bunk space per goat, and ensuring the appropriate feed is being delivered to the group (i.e., medicated feed is only being delivered to the pen it is intended for) and
- Assess refusals at the feed bunk to determine what goats are selecting for in the ration and make any adjustments as required.
Nutrition is a key aspect in optimizing goat herd performance and maintaining their overall health. Goat feeding behaviour differs greatly from cattle and sheep and these differences should be taken into consideration when designing your facilities or problem-solving nutrition related issues.
