Most of the calls we get about unwell animals trace back to feeding mistakes that could have been avoided with a few simple rules. Here is what works for us across all five species on the farm.
Always available
Clean water (changed daily), a mineral lick appropriate to the species, and long grass hay or pasture. These three things make up 80% of a correct diet.
Seasonal extras
In winter, a small amount of low-protein hard feed keeps condition up. In spring, restraint — lush grass causes bloat in cattle and scours in goats. Introduce it slowly over two weeks.
Never feed
Bread, lawn clippings, mouldy hay, kitchen scraps, dog food, chicken layer pellets, and anything labelled ‘multipurpose’. The sugar, the mould spores, the urea, or the copper can all kill. If in doubt, don’t.
If you change anything, change it slowly
The rumen bugs that digest feed take two to three weeks to adapt. Any change — a new hay, a new feed, a new pasture — should be introduced gradually with the old mix to keep them stable.