Here’s a step-by-step guide to goat feed concentrate
mixing for fattening, tailored to Bishoftu/Ethiopia’s locally
available ingredients. This method saves costs and
allows customization based on your goats’ needs:
---
1. Select Ingredients
Use affordable, nutrient-dense ingredients available in
your area:
- **Energy Sources**: Maize grain (crushed), wheat
bran, molasses.
- **Protein Sources**: Noug seed cake, brewers’ grain,
sunflower seed cake.
- **Fiber/Roughage**: Wheat bran, teff straw (finely
chopped).
- **Additives**: Salt, mineral mix (calcium, phosphorus),
baking soda (optional).
**2. Calculate Ratios
For **goat fattening**, aim for a **60:40 energy-to-
protein ratio**. Adjust based on availability:
| **Ingredient** | **Percentage** | **Purpose**
|
|----------------------|----------------|----------------------------------
----|
| Crushed Maize | 35–40% | Energy for weight
gain |
| Wheat Bran | 25–30% | Energy + fiber
|
| Noug Seed Cake | 20–25% | Protein for
muscle growth |
| Molasses | 5–10% | Binds feed, boosts
palatability |
| Mineral Salt | 1–2% | Essential minerals
|
| Baking Soda | 1% (optional) | Prevents acidosis
from high grains |
---
3. Prepare the Mix
**Tools Needed**: Shovel, mixing container (e.g., clean
tarpaulin or large basin), weighing scale.
Steps
1. **Weigh Ingredients**:
- Example for a **100 kg batch**:
- 40 kg crushed maize
- 30 kg wheat bran
- 25 kg noug seed cake
- 5 kg molasses
- 1 kg mineral salt
- 1 kg baking soda (optional)
2. **Crush Grains**: Use a hammer mill or mortar/pestle
to crush maize into coarse particles (not powder).
3. **Mix Dry Ingredients**:
- Combine maize, wheat bran, noug cake, salt, and
baking soda in layers.
- Stir thoroughly with a shovel to ensure even
distribution.
4. **Add Molasses**:
- Warm molasses slightly (to make it liquid) and drizzle
over the dry mix.
- Mix again until all particles are lightly coated.
5. **Dry the Mix**: Spread the blend in the sun for 1–2
hours (if molasses makes it too damp).
---
4. Storage Tips**
- **Airtight Containers**: Use sacks, drums, or sealed
bags to protect from moisture and pests.
- **Cool, Dry Place**: Avoid direct sunlight to prevent
mold.
- **Small Batches**: Prepare 1–2 weeks’ supply to
maintain freshness.
---
5. Feeding Guidelines**
- **Daily Quantity**: Feed **1.5–2% of the goat’s body
weight** (e.g., 0.75–1 kg/day for a 50 kg goat).
- **Mix with Roughage**: Always pair with **1–1.5
kg/day** of chopped teff straw, alfalfa, or grass.
- **Water**: Provide fresh water freely to aid digestion.
---
6. Cost-Saving Hacks**
- **Substitute Ingredients**:
- Replace noug cake with cheaper sunflower cake or
brewers’ grain.
- Use crushed barley or sorghum if maize is expensive.
- **Buy in Bulk**: Purchase grains and cakes during
harvest season for lower prices.
- **Local Bartering**: Trade crop residues (e.g., maize
stover) with neighbors for bran or cakes.
---
Sample 7-Day Fattening Plan**
| **Day** | **Concentrate Mix** | **Roughage** |
**Notes** |
|---------|---------------------|--------------------|----------------------
--------------|
| 1–3 | 0.5 kg/day | 1.5 kg teff straw | Gradual
introduction to avoid bloat |
| 4–7 | 1 kg/day | 1 kg alfalfa hay | Increase
concentrate as tolerated |
---
**Troubleshooting**
- **Poor Appetite**: Add more molasses (5–10%) or salt
(1%) to enhance taste.
- **Bloat/Diarrhea**: Reduce grains, add baking soda
(1%), and ensure roughage intake.
- **Slow Growth**: Increase protein (noug cake) to 25–
30% of the mix.
---
By mixing your own feed, you can adjust recipes based
on local prices and ingredient availability while ensuring
balanced nutrition. Regularly monitor your goats’ weight
and health to refine the blend!
