Click here to view as a pdf: Crystal Creek® 17% Start To Finish™ Goat Pellets

By Darren Zimmerman, D.V.M.

More and more goat producers are raising animals with little to no land base. Hence they rely on purchased feedstuffs more than homegrown forages. Having high-quality pelleted feed allows these producers to raise their animals without having to grow and harvest forages which has some inherent efficiencies as well.

With this in mind, Crystal Creek® has developed 17% Start To Finish™ Goat Pellets.

Crystal Creek® began by focusing on the needs or requirements of the kids while still on milk. The goal was a solid starter grain that provided plenty of nutrition. While doing this, we wanted to have digestible fiber in the ration to help develop the rumen. A 17% crude protein pellet may seem a bit low for a starter grain for kids, however, we selected a balance of quality proteins that are digestible and easily absor

bed. By selecting high quality protein, we were able to meet amino acid requirements without a higher crude protein.

Crystal Creek® put extensive time into the formulation of this pellet and it meets/exceeds the nutritional requirements for all stages of growth from pre-weaned phase to finishing. This pellet is very versatile and can be used for the growth and production of not only the meat animals, but can also be used to raise doelings. Figure 1 shows an average feeding rate based on weight of the animal. A Crystal Creek® nutritionist can formulate the ration to see how the 17% Start To Finish™ pellets can fit into almost any goat diet.

Goat diets call for a high-quality grass hay. A high-quality grass hay is defined as having a Crude Protein (CP) of 8-10%, but the higher the better. The Neutral Detergent Fiber (NDF) should target 50% or higher, for Neutral Detergent Fiber Digested (NDFD) 12 and 30, the target is 55 and 65 or higher, respectively. The Relative Feed Value (RFV) values should be 100-120 and Relative Feed Quality (RFQ) values should be 150-160.

Ways to use the 17% Start To Finish™ Goat Pellets include:

As a starter grain for all kids on milk.
Solely or in combination with a high-quality hay for growing and finishing meat goats. 17% Start to Finish™ Goat Pellets is a pelleted feed to take your bucklings from milk to finish. It is formulated to complement the milk diet before weaning. We recommend weaning between 8 and 12 weeks of age. This complete pellet can be offered as soon as 2-3 weeks of age. The amount can be increased as they eat it all. Our goal is 3-5% of their body weight. The pellet provides complete nutrition when fed at 3-5% of body weight after weaning.
Solely or in combination with a high-quality hay for growing doelings. We would recommend using it as a starter grain while on milk. Again, weaning at 8-12 weeks. The pellet should take the doelings to pasture or a hay diet. Please make sure you are offering 3-5% of body weight for the doelings as you transition them off milk and on to your other feeds. Here again, a high-quality grass hay is a great transition choice. For some of the bigger goat dairies, the pellet can take you to your transition to fermented feeds.
Nanny goats can also benefit from the 17% Start to Finish™ Goat Pellets, as a boost to supplement energy while nursing.

The protein in the pellet is highly digestible, and the energy is provided by a balance of sources to prevent acidosis. The fiber included is digestible and usable. As always, we topped it off with the highest quality vitamins and minerals.

Ammonium Chloride was added to reduce the chance of bladder stones and urinary blockages.

17% Start to Finish™ Goat Pellets is medicated with Decoquinate, a medication proven to be effective in the control of coccidia in goats. Please note that the pellet cannot be used in dairy goats where milk is intended for human consumption. This pellet is not recommended for use in sheep. If you have any questions about the 17% Start To Finish™ Goat Pellet, please contact Crystal Creek® at 888-376-6777 to speak to one of our nutritionists.

References available upon request.