UPDATE: 2/27/19 — Stopped using the Dumor Goat Blocks and started using a 16% sweet goat feed as free-choice instead. The Dumor Goat Block has a very high amount of salt in it and the goats were not eating their loose minerals. Over the last 3 months, they did not eat any when they normally eat at least 20 pounds! The loose minerals are so MUCH more dense with vitamins/minerals than the Dumor goat block so they just aren’t getting the same nutrition level.
UPDATE: 5 weeks later — 1/26/19 Less than one week before our first 2 does freshen. Victoria is huge with possible triplets? Using the Dumor Goat Block is working GREAT! No sign of sluggish goats at all and all are eating like pigs! I am so relieved. <3 <3
In an effort to PREVENT any nutrient issues with our very pregnant dairy goats, we have begun feeding Dumor Goat Blocks. It is a soft protein block full of nutrition!
Last year, we had two pregnant does get toxemia during their last six weeks of pregnancy. We had to dose them daily with Polypropylene Glycol and CMPK until they began eating grain enough to sustain their selves and fetuses (approximately one week after parturition). The research indicated that we were not feeding them enough energy/calories (grain). Even though we grain twice daily, it obviously was not enough to meet their demands. They also have 24/7 access to good quality grass/orchard hay.
So this year, in addition to feeding grain twice daily, we are now keeping a Dumor Goat Block in the pasture for the does. We just started putting this block out now since most are within 8 weeks of parturition.
(Note: Our does and bucks always have free choice loose minerals, cobalt block, baking soda and copper sulfate powder available to them all year long.)
