# Goat Feed Quality Assessment: Evaluating Hay, Silage, and Grains ## Key Takeaways - **Hay quality is primarily determined by maturity at cutting; early-cut, fine-stemmed hay offers higher protein and digestible energy (8-12% crude protein for grass hay, 15-20% for alfalfa) compared to coarse, late-cut varieties.** Visual assessment using color (green is optimal), leafiness, smell (sweet is good), and texture (soft and pliable) provides initial quality indicators, while mold or musty odors signal spoilage and potential mycotoxin risk. - **Silage, a fermented forage, requires careful evaluation for spoilage, characterized by putrid, ammonia, or tobacco-like odors, slimy texture, or visible mold (white, green, pink, black), which can lead to dangerous conditions like botulism, listeriosis, or mycotoxin poisoning.** Good silage has a pleasant, slightly sweet, acidic smell and an olive-green color, with proper fermentation indicated by a pH below 4.2. - **Grain quality is assessed by moisture content (below 15% for corn, 14% for wheat/barley, 13% for oats), clean smell, uniform color, and absence of dust, foreign material, or insect/rodent damage.** Invisible mycotoxins (aflatoxins, fumonisins, vomitoxin) pose significant risks, necessitating purchase from reputable sources and proper storage to prevent mold growth. - **Body condition scoring (BCS) on a 1-5 scale, with 3 being ideal, serves as a critical ongoing feed quality assessment tool.** If goats lose condition on seemingly good feed, it indicates the feed is nutritionally inadequate, prompting a review of forage analysis or a change in feeding strategy. - **Matching feed quality to specific goat nutritional needs is paramount; lactating does require high protein (15-18%) and energy, while dry does need maintenance levels (10-12% protein) typically met by good grass or mixed hay.** Sudden dietary changes, especially to high-grain rations, must be avoided to prevent metabolic disorders like enterotoxemia and acidosis. --- Feed quality determines goat health, milk production, weight gain, and reproductive success more than any other single factor you control. Poor feed leads to poor condition, weak kids, low milk output, and higher veterinary bills. This guide covers how to evaluate hay, silage, and grains before you buy them and while you feed them, so you can make confident decisions that protect your herd and your budget. It is written for small and mid-sized goat keepers, homesteaders, and commercial producers who want practical, field-ready methods for assessing feed quality without relying on expensive laboratory analysis for every purchase. ## At a Glance - **Hay quality starts with maturity.** Cut early, fine-stemmed hay has more protein and digestible energy than coarse, late-cut hay. - **Use your senses first.** Color, smell, leafiness, and freedom from mold tell you more quickly than any lab test whether hay is safe to feed. - **Silage can be excellent goat feed, but spoiled silage is dangerous.** Discard any silage with a putrid smell, visible mold, or slimy texture. - **Grains should be clean, dry, and free from dust and insects.** Mycotoxins are invisible, so buy from reputable sources and store properly. - **Test before you buy large quantities.** A forage analysis costs far less than a sick herd. - **[Body condition scoring](/knowledge/animal-farming/farm-management/body-condition-scoring-a-tool-for-feed-management) is your ongoing feed quality check.** If goats lose condition on what looks like good feed, the feed is not as good as it looks. - **When in doubt, call your veterinarian or extension agent.** They can help you interpret test results and diagnose feed-related illness. ## Why Feed Quality Matters for Goats Goats are ruminants with a four-chambered stomach designed to process fibrous plant material. Their digestive system depends on a stable population of microbes in the rumen that break down cellulose and other complex carbohydrates. The quality of what you feed directly affects that microbial population. High-quality feed supports a healthy rumen, which means better nutrient absorption, more milk, faster growth, and stronger immunity. Poor-quality feed starves those microbes, which means your goats cannot extract the nutrients they need even if they eat enough volume. Feed quality also affects feed intake. Goats naturally prefer higher-quality forage when given the choice. If you offer coarse, stemmy hay, goats will eat less of it because it takes more energy to chew and digest than it returns. That means your goats may look like they are eating, but they are actually losing weight. A goat that refuses poor hay is not being picky. It is making a sensible nutritional decision. The economic case for feed quality is straightforward. Feed is typically the largest variable cost on a goat operation, often 60 to 70 percent of total production costs. Buying cheap, low-quality feed may save money at the register, but it costs more in lost production, higher veterinary expenses, and slower growth. Conversely, buying high-quality feed without testing means you may be overpaying for nutrients your goats do not need. The goal is to match feed quality to the needs of your animals at each stage of production. ## Goat Hay Quality: The Foundation of the Diet Hay is the backbone of most goat feeding programs, especially during winter or drought when pasture is unavailable. Understanding what makes good hay and how to evaluate it is the single most important skill for goat feed management. ### Understanding Hay Types and Their Nutritional Profiles Hay comes from many plant species, and each has a different nutritional profile. The three main categories are grass hay, legume hay, and mixed hay. **Grass hay** includes timothy, orchard grass, brome, fescue, and bermudagrass. It is generally lower in protein and energy than legume hay but higher in fiber. Good grass hay has 8 to 12 percent crude protein on a dry matter basis. It is appropriate for maintenance, dry does, and herd sires that do not need high energy levels. Grass hay is also useful for goats that need to lose weight or that are prone to urinary calculi, because it has a more favorable calcium to phosphorus ratio. **Legume hay** includes alfalfa and clover. It is higher in protein, energy, and calcium than grass hay. Good alfalfa hay has 15 to 20 percent crude protein. It is excellent for growing kids, lactating does, and goats in late pregnancy that have high nutrient demands. The risk with legume hay is that its high calcium content can contribute to urinary calculi in wethers and bucks. Feed legume hay in moderation to those animals, or balance it with grass hay. **Mixed hay** contains both grasses and legumes. It offers a middle ground in nutrition and is often the most practical choice for a mixed herd with varying needs. The proportion of legumes in the mix determines the protein and energy content. ### Evaluating Hay by Sight, Smell, and Touch You can learn a great deal about hay quality without a laboratory. Train yourself to evaluate every load of hay using these methods. **Color.** Good hay should be green. The greener the hay, the more vitamins and nutrients it retained during curing. Bright green indicates hay that was cut at the right stage and cured quickly without excessive rain damage. Yellow or brown hay may have been rained on, cut too late, or stored poorly. Pale, bleached hay has lost much of its vitamin A content. Do not reject hay based on color alone, but treat dull-colored hay with suspicion and examine it more closely. **Leafiness.** Leaves contain most of the protein, energy, and minerals in forage. Legume leaves are especially nutritious. Good hay should have a high leaf to stem ratio. Run your hand through a flake and note how many leaves fall off. Hay that shatters into leaf fragments has been over-processed or is very dry. Coarse, thick stems indicate mature plants that were cut late, and those stems are mostly indigestible fiber. **Smell.** Good hay has a sweet, pleasant, fresh aroma. Musty or moldy smells indicate spoilage. A sour or fermented odor suggests the hay was baled too wet and heated. Hay that smells like tobacco or has a burnt odor may have undergone excessive heating in the bale. If hay smells bad, do not feed it. The smell is a warning sign that the hay may contain mold spores or toxins that can cause respiratory problems and digestive upset. **Texture and softness.** Good hay should feel soft and pliable, not harsh or brittle. Woody stems and tough texture indicate mature forage. When you twist a handful of hay, it should bend rather than snap. Hay that feels dusty when you shake it may contain mold spores or soil contamination. **Foreign material.** Check hay for weeds, trash, wire, and other contaminants. Some weeds are toxic to goats. Others simply reduce the nutritional value of the bale. Look for signs of rodent activity, including droppings and nesting material. Examine the outside and inside of several bales from each cutting. **Mold and dust.** Look for white, gray, black, or pink patches on the hay. White dust that puffs up when you break a bale is often mold. Hay that was baled too wet can develop white mold that looks like frost. Black hay is usually the result of excessive heating during storage. Pink mold is especially concerning because some pink molds produce toxins. If you see mold, the hay is not safe to feed. ### The Critical Factor: Stage of Maturity at Cutting Stage of maturity at harvest is the single biggest determinant of hay quality. As plants mature, they produce more stem and less leaf. Cellulose and lignin content increases, and protein content decreases. A legume cut at early bloom has far more protein and digestible energy than the same plant cut at full bloom. A grass cut at the boot stage, just before seed head emergence, is more digestible than the same grass cut after seed heads form. When you evaluate hay, ask the seller when it was cut and what stage the plants were at. Look for seed heads in grass hay. Abundant seed heads mean the grass was mature and lower in quality. For legumes, look for flowers. Early bloom alfalfa has a few flowers. Full bloom alfalfa has many flowers and is lower in quality. ### Buying Hay: Questions to Ask the Seller Before you purchase hay, ask the seller these questions: - What species of forage is in the hay? - What stage of maturity was the crop at when cut? - Was the hay rained on during curing? - How long was it in the field before baling? - Was it baled with a preservative or conditioner? - How was it stored, and how long has it been stored? - Has it been tested for nutrient content? - What fertilizer or manure was applied to the field? A reputable seller will answer these questions directly. A seller who is vague or defensive may be hiding quality problems. ### Hay Testing: When and How to Sample Laboratory analysis is the only reliable way to know the true nutritional value of hay. Visual inspection tells you about quality, but it cannot tell you exact protein, energy, or mineral content. Forage testing is inexpensive, usually 20 to 50 dollars per sample, and it pays for itself by helping you avoid overfeeding expensive supplements or underfeeding your herd. **When to test.** Test hay when you are buying a large quantity, when you are feeding animals with high nutritional demands such as lactating does or growing kids, or when you suspect a problem. Test each cutting separately because quality varies from one cutting to the next. If you buy hay from a new source, test it before you commit to a large order. **How to sample.** Use a hay probe, which is a hollow metal tube that you drive into the bale to collect a core sample. Sample at least 10 to 20 bales from each lot, probing each bale from the end. Combine the cores in a clean bucket and mix thoroughly. Send about one pound of the mixed sample to a certified forage testing laboratory. If you do not have a hay probe, you can pull samples from the center of several bales by hand, but this is less accurate. **What to test for.** A standard forage analysis includes crude protein, acid detergent fiber (ADF), neutral detergent fiber (NDF), and dry matter. Some labs also offer mineral analysis, which measures calcium, phosphorus, potassium, and other minerals. Request a test that includes digestible energy or total digestible nutrients (TDN) if it is available, because this tells you how much usable energy the hay provides. **Interpreting results.** Crude protein below 8 percent is low for most goats. Protein above 14 percent is high and may be suitable for lactating does. ADF below 35 percent indicates good digestibility. NDF below 55 percent is acceptable. Higher fiber values mean the hay is less digestible and goats will eat less of it. ## Goat Silage Quality: High-Moisture Feed with High Risk Silage is forage that has been preserved by fermentation in a low-oxygen environment. It is common in cattle operations and is becoming more popular with goat producers because it can be made from crops that are too wet to hay, and it preserves more nutrients than hay in some conditions. However, silage quality varies widely, and spoiled silage can be dangerous. ### How Silage Is Made and Why Quality Varies Silage is made by chopping forage, packing it tightly to exclude oxygen, and allowing natural bacteria to ferment sugars into organic acids. These acids lower the pH of the forage and preserve it. The process works well when the forage has the right moisture content, the right sugar content, and is packed tightly enough to exclude oxygen. Quality varies because many things can go wrong. Forage that is too dry will not pack tightly enough, allowing oxygen to remain and spoilage organisms to grow. Forage that is too wet produces poor fermentation and may produce a foul-smelling, butyric acid silage. Forage with low sugar content, such as some grasses, may not ferment properly. Poor packing leaves air pockets where mold grows. Delayed sealing allows oxygen to remain in contact with the forage. Each of these problems produces silage that is lower in quality or unsafe to feed. ### Recognizing Good Silage Good silage has a pleasant, slightly sweet, acidic smell similar to vinegar or pickles. It should be olive green to brownish green in color, with the original plant structure still visible. It should be moist but not dripping, with a moisture content of 60 to 70 percent. When you squeeze a handful, it should hold together but not release water. The texture should be firm and crisp, not slimy or mushy. ### Recognizing Spoiled Silage Spoiled silage is easy to identify if you know what to look for. **Smell.** The most reliable indicator of spoilage is odor. Silage that smells putrid, like rotten meat or manure, has undergone clostridial fermentation and is unsafe to feed. Silage that smells like tobacco or has a sweet, burnt odor may have heated excessively. Silage that smells like ammonia indicates protein breakdown. Any of these odors means the silage is poor quality. **Mold.** Visible mold in silage is a serious problem. Mold can appear as white, green, pink, or black patches. Some molds produce mycotoxins that can cause illness in goats, including liver damage, immune suppression, and reproductive problems. If you see mold in silage, discard the affected area and feed the rest with caution, or discard the entire batch if mold is widespread. **Texture and temperature.** Spoiled silage may be slimy, sticky, or excessively dry. It may be hot to the touch, indicating ongoing microbial activity. Silage that is brown or black, rather than olive green, has likely undergone excessive heating. **Presence of flies or larvae.** Silage with a heavy fly population or visible maggots has been poorly preserved and should not be fed. ### The Special Dangers of Spoiled Silage Spoiled silage poses several specific health risks to goats. The most serious is botulism, which is caused by toxins produced by Clostridium botulinum bacteria. These bacteria thrive in improperly fermented silage, especially silage contaminated with soil or animal carcasses. Botulism causes progressive paralysis and is often fatal. There is no effective treatment, so prevention is the only defense. Listeriosis is another risk. [Listeria monocytogenes](/knowledge/bacteria/livestock-bacteria/listeria-monocytogenes-circling-disease-ruminants-silage) bacteria can grow in silage with a pH above 5.0, which happens when fermentation is poor. Goats that eat contaminated silage may develop listeriosis, which causes neurological signs including circling, head pressing, and facial paralysis. Listeriosis can also cause abortion in pregnant does. Mycotoxins produced by molds in silage can cause a range of problems, including reduced feed intake, poor growth, immune suppression, and reproductive failure. Some mycotoxins are stable and survive the silage-making process, so even silage that looks acceptable can contain dangerous levels. ### Feeding Silage to Goats: Practical Guidelines If you choose to feed silage to goats, follow these guidelines to reduce risk. **Feed it fresh.** Remove silage from the face of the silo or from the bale immediately before feeding. Do not leave silage in the feeder for more than a few hours, because it will spoil quickly once exposed to air. **Keep the face clean.** When removing silage from a silo or bunker, take a clean slice across the entire face. Do not dig holes, because this creates air pockets that promote spoilage. Remove at least 4 to 6 inches per day from the face, depending on the size of your operation, to stay ahead of spoilage. **Discard spoiled areas.** Any silage that is moldy, slimy, or bad smelling should be discarded. Do not try to salvage it by mixing it with good feed. The toxins in spoiled silage are not diluted to safe levels by mixing. **Introduce gradually.** If your goats have never eaten silage, introduce it gradually over 7 to 10 days, mixing increasing amounts with their regular feed. Sudden introduction can cause digestive upset. **Do not feed silage to young kids.** Kids under 3 months of age have developing rumens and are more susceptible to digestive problems from silage. Wait until their rumens are fully functional before offering silage. ### Silage Testing Silage can be tested for nutrient content using the same laboratories that test hay. Request a wet chemistry analysis rather than near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS), because NIRS calibration for silage is less reliable. Ask the lab to test for pH, dry matter, crude protein, ADF, NDF, and minerals. A pH below 4.2 indicates good fermentation. A pH above 5.0 indicates poor fermentation and increased risk of listeriosis. ## Goat Grain Quality: Concentrates That Need Careful Handling Grains and commercial concentrates provide concentrated energy and protein that goats need for high production. They are not a substitute for forage, but they are an important part of the ration for lactating does, growing kids, and goats in late pregnancy. Grain quality varies, and poor-quality grain can cause serious health problems. ### Types of Grains and Concentrates for Goats Common grains fed to goats include corn, barley, oats, wheat, and sorghum. Each has a different nutritional profile. **Corn** is high in energy and low in protein, with about 8 to 9 percent crude protein. It is an excellent energy source but must be supplemented with protein from other feeds. Whole corn passes through goats undigested, so it should be cracked, rolled, or ground before feeding. **Barley** has more protein than corn, about 11 to 12 percent, and is a good energy source. It should be rolled or ground for goats. **Oats** are lower in energy and higher in fiber than corn, with about 12 percent protein. They are a safe grain for goats that tend to gain weight easily, and they are a good choice for herd sires and dry does. **Commercial goat feed** is formulated to provide balanced nutrition. These feeds come in pelleted or textured forms. Pellets are convenient and prevent selective eating, where goats pick out preferred ingredients and leave the rest. Textured feeds are more palatable to some goats but allow selective eating. ### Evaluating Grain Quality Use these methods to evaluate grain before you buy and as you feed it. **Moisture content.** Grain should be dry. Wet grain spoils quickly and can harbor molds that produce mycotoxins. You can test moisture with a handheld moisture meter, which costs 30 to 100 dollars. Corn should have less than 15 percent moisture. Wheat and barley should have less than 14 percent. Oats should have less than 13 percent. If you do not have a moisture meter, bite a kernel of corn. It should crack crisply, not squash. **Smell.** Good grain has a clean, slightly sweet smell. A musty, sour, or fermented odor indicates spoilage. Grain that smells like mold should be rejected. **Color and appearance.** Good grain is bright and uniform in color. Dull, discolored grain may have been stored improperly or may be old. Look for shriveled kernels, which indicate stress during the growing season and lower nutritional value. Look for insect damage, which appears as small holes in the kernels or webbing in the grain. **Foreign material.** Check grain for weed seeds, dirt, stones, and other contaminants. Government grades allow a small percentage of foreign material, but high levels reduce the nutritional value and can cause digestive problems. **Dust.** Grain that is excessively dusty may contain mold spores or may have been handled roughly. Dusty grain can cause respiratory problems in goats and in you. **Evidence of rodents and insects.** Look for rodent droppings, gnaw marks on bags, and live or dead insects. Rodents and insects contaminate grain and can spread disease. ### Mycotoxins: The Invisible Danger in Grain Mycotoxins are toxic compounds produced by molds that grow on grains and other crops. They are invisible, tasteless, and odorless, so you cannot detect them by looking at or smelling grain. The most important mycotoxins for goat producers are aflatoxins, fumonisins, vomitoxin (deoxynivalenol or DON), and T-2 toxin. **Aflatoxins** are produced by Aspergillus molds and are most common in corn, peanuts, and cottonseed. They are carcinogenic and cause liver damage. In goats, aflatoxin exposure reduces feed intake, lowers milk production, and impairs immune function. High levels can be fatal. **Fumonisins** are produced by Fusarium molds and are most common in corn. They can cause neurological problems and liver damage. **Vomitoxin** is produced by Fusarium molds and is common in wheat, barley, and corn. It causes feed refusal and vomiting. Goats that consume vomitoxin-contaminated grain may eat less and lose condition. **T-2 toxin** is produced by Fusarium molds and is more toxic than vomitoxin. It causes feed refusal, oral lesions, and digestive upset. The only reliable way to detect mycotoxins is laboratory testing. If you suspect mycotoxin contamination, send a grain sample to a laboratory that offers mycotoxin testing. Testing costs 50 to 150 dollars per mycotoxin group. This is expensive, but it is far cheaper than losing animals or experiencing a herd-wide production drop. ### Buying Grain: Questions to Ask the Seller Before you purchase grain, ask these questions: - What is the moisture content? - When was it harvested and processed? - Was it treated with any preservatives or mold inhibitors? - Has it been tested for mycotoxins? - How was it stored, and for how long? - What is the protein content? ### Storing Grain to Maintain Quality Proper storage is essential for maintaining grain quality. Store grain in a clean, dry, rodent-proof container. Metal or heavy plastic bins with tight-fitting lids are ideal. Do not store grain in open bags, because they attract rodents and insects and allow moisture to enter. Keep grain storage areas cool and dry. Heat and humidity promote mold growth. Do not store grain near water sources or in areas with high humidity. Use a first-in, first-out system so that older grain is used before newer grain. Check stored grain regularly for signs of moisture, mold, insects, or rodents. ## Matching Feed Quality to Goat Nutritional Needs Feed quality is not an absolute concept. The best feed for one goat may be inappropriate for another. Your goal is to match feed quality to the specific needs of each class of goat on your farm. ### Nutritional Requirements by Production Stage **Maintenance.** Dry does that are not pregnant and are not producing milk have the lowest nutritional requirements. They need a ration of about 10 to 12 percent crude protein and moderate energy. Good grass hay or mixed hay is usually sufficient. Supplement with grain only if body condition declines. **Early to mid pregnancy.** Does in early pregnancy have similar requirements to maintenance, but their requirements increase as pregnancy progresses. During the last third of pregnancy, does need more energy and protein to support fetal growth and to prepare for lactation. This is called late gestation or the "steaming up" period. Increase feed quality and quantity during this time. **Lactation.** Lactating does have the highest nutritional requirements of any class of goat. A doe producing 2 quarts of milk per day needs about 15 to 18 percent crude protein and high energy. She needs the best hay you have, plus grain at 1 to 2 pounds per day, depending on milk production. **Growing kids.** Kids need high-quality feed for growth. The rumen is not fully developed until about 3 months of age, so young kids need a starter feed that is palatable and easily digested. Offer high-quality hay and a commercial kid starter or creep feed. **Bucks.** Bucks need a maintenance ration when they are not breeding. During the breeding season, they may need additional energy and protein to maintain body condition. Monitor body condition and adjust feeding accordingly. ### Body Condition Scoring as a Feed Quality Check Body condition scoring is a hands-on method for assessing whether your goats are getting enough nutrition. It involves feeling the amount of muscle and fat over the spine and ribs. Goats are scored on a scale of 1 to 5, with 1 being emaciated and 5 being obese. A score of 3 is ideal for most goats. To body condition score a goat, stand behind it and place your hands on its spine, just behind the ribs. You should be able to feel the bones but not see them. Run your fingers along the spine and over the ribs. A goat with a score of 3 has a smooth, rounded feel with a thin layer of fat over the bones. A goat with a score of 2 has prominent bones with little fat cover. A goat with a score of 4 has a thick layer of fat and bones that are difficult to feel. Body condition scoring is a valuable tool because it tells you whether your feeding program is working. If goats are losing condition on what looks like good feed, the feed quality is not as good as you think. If goats are gaining too much condition, you may be overfeeding. Score your goats monthly and adjust feeding accordingly. ## Common Feed Quality Mistakes Farmers make several predictable mistakes when evaluating and feeding goat feed. Recognizing these mistakes can help you avoid them. **Judging hay by color alone.** Bright green hay can be low quality if it was cut late. Dull hay can be decent quality if it was cut early but rained on. Color is one indicator among many, not the final word. **Refusing to test feed because of cost.** A 40 dollar forage test can save you hundreds of dollars in wasted feed or veterinary bills. Testing is not an expense. It is an investment in accurate feeding. **Feeding moldy feed to save money.** Moldy feed is never a bargain. The potential costs in veterinary treatment, lost production, and animal death far exceed the cost of discarding the feed. **Assuming all hay from the same seller is the same quality.** Hay quality varies by cutting, field, and weather conditions. Evaluate every load of hay, even from familiar sellers. **Not adjusting feed for weather and stress.** Cold weather, heat stress, and transportation all increase nutritional requirements. If you feed the same ration year-round without adjustment, goats may lose condition during stressful periods. **Storing feed improperly.** Grain stored in open bags, hay stored on the ground, and silage exposed to air all lose quality quickly. Proper storage is part of feed quality management. **Introducing new feed too quickly.** Sudden changes in feed can cause digestive upset, including acidosis and enterotoxemia. Introduce new feeds gradually over 7 to 10 days. **Feeding grain without adequate forage.** Goats need fiber for normal rumen function. Feeding high levels of grain without adequate forage can cause acidosis, a serious condition where the rumen pH drops too low. This can lead to laminitis, liver abscesses, and death. ## Monitoring and Recordkeeping for Feed Quality You cannot manage what you do not measure. Keep records of every feed purchase and every batch of feed you use. This information helps you identify problems early and make better purchasing decisions. ### What to Record For each feed purchase, record: - Date of purchase - Seller and source - Feed type and species - Stage of maturity or cut - Visual quality assessment - Moisture content if measured - Laboratory test results if available - Price per ton or per bale - Storage location and date of use For each batch of feed, record: - When feeding started and ended - Which animals received the feed - Any health problems observed - Body condition scores of animals - Refusals or reduced intake ### Using Records to Improve Feed Management Review your records regularly to identify patterns. If goats consistently lose condition on hay from a particular field, stop buying from that source. If a particular batch of grain is associated with reduced feed intake, test it for mycotoxins. If body condition scores decline during a particular month every year, plan to increase feed quality during that period. Records also help you calculate feed costs accurately. Track cost per pound of protein and per megacalorie of energy for each feed. This allows you to compare feeds on a nutritional basis rather than a per-ton basis. A higher-priced feed may actually be cheaper per unit of nutrient if it is higher quality. ### When to Test Feed Test feed under these circumstances: - Before purchasing a large quantity from a new source - When switching to a new cutting or new field - When goats lose condition despite adequate feed intake - When goats refuse feed or eat less than expected - When you suspect mold or spoilage - When feeding high-production animals with demanding nutritional needs - When investigating a health problem that may be feed-related ## Feed-Related Health Problems to Watch For Several health problems in goats are directly related to feed quality. Recognizing the signs early can save animals and reduce treatment costs. ### Enterotoxemia (Overeating Disease) Enterotoxemia is caused by [Clostridium perfringens type D](/knowledge/bacteria/livestock-bacteria/clostridium-perfringens-type-d-pulpy-kidney-sheep) bacteria, which are normally present in the gut but overgrow when goats consume too much grain or high-energy feed. The bacteria produce toxins that damage the intestinal lining and cause rapid death. Signs include depression, diarrhea, abdominal pain, and neurological signs such as convulsions. Vaccination is the primary prevention, but feeding management also plays a role. Avoid sudden increases in grain, and introduce grain gradually. ### Acidosis Acidosis occurs when goats consume too much rapidly fermentable carbohydrate, usually grain. The rumen pH drops, killing beneficial bacteria and allowing acid-producing bacteria to flourish. Signs include reduced appetite, diarrhea, lethargy, and in severe cases, recumbency and death. Prevention involves gradual grain introduction, adequate forage in the ration, and limiting grain to recommended levels. ### Polioencephalomalacia (PEM) PEM is a neurological condition caused by thiamine deficiency, which can result from poor feed quality, moldy feed, or excessive sulfur in the diet. Signs include blindness, circling, head pressing, and seizures. Treatment with thiamine is effective if started early. Feed quality management, including avoiding moldy feed, is important for prevention. ### Listeriosis As discussed above, listeriosis is caused by bacteria that grow in poorly fermented silage. Signs include circling, facial paralysis, drooling, and abortion. Treatment with antibiotics may be effective if started early, but the disease is often fatal. Prevention focuses on feeding only well-fermented silage and discarding spoiled silage. ### Mycotoxin Poisoning Mycotoxin poisoning can cause a range of signs depending on the toxin involved. Reduced feed intake and poor growth are common. Other signs may include diarrhea, immune suppression, reproductive problems, and liver damage. There is no specific treatment for mycotoxin poisoning. Supportive care and removal of contaminated feed are the only options. ### Urinary Calculi Urinary calculi are stones that form in the urinary tract of male goats, especially wethers. They are caused by an imbalance of calcium and phosphorus in the diet, often from feeding high-calcium feeds like alfalfa hay without adequate phosphorus. Signs include straining to urinate, kicking at the belly, and recumbency. This is a medical emergency. Prevention involves feeding a balanced diet with the correct calcium to phosphorus ratio. ### Polioencephalomalacia and Sulfur Toxicity Excessive sulfur in the diet, which can come from water, feed, or supplements, can cause PEM. Signs are similar to thiamine deficiency. If you suspect sulfur toxicity, test your water and feed for sulfur content. ## When to Call a Veterinarian or Extension Agent Knowing when to seek professional help is an important part of feed quality management. You cannot solve every problem alone. ### Call a Veterinarian Immediately When: - A goat shows neurological signs such as circling, head pressing, blindness, or seizures - A goat is unable to stand or is recumbent - A goat has severe diarrhea, especially with blood - A goat is straining to urinate and producing no urine - A goat has a sudden, unexplained death - Multiple goats show signs of illness at the same time - A pregnant doe aborts ### Call an Extension Agent or Nutritionist When: - You need help interpreting forage or grain test results - You are formulating a ration for a specific class of goats - You are considering a new feed source and want guidance - You are seeing poor performance that is not explained by obvious feed problems - You want to learn more about feed quality evaluation ### Call a Feed Testing Laboratory When: - You need a forage analysis and do not know which lab to use - You need a mycotoxin panel and want to know which toxins to test for - You need help collecting and submitting samples ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How can I tell if hay is good quality without a lab test? Use your senses. Good hay is green, leafy, soft, and sweet-smelling. It has no mold, dust, or foreign material. The single most important visual indicator is stage of maturity. Hay cut early, before seed heads form in grasses and before full bloom in legumes, is higher quality than hay cut late. Look at the stems. Fine, pliable stems indicate early cutting. Coarse, woody stems indicate mature plants. A lab test is the only way to know exact nutrient content, but visual inspection helps you reject obviously poor hay before you spend money on testing. ### Is moldy hay safe to feed if I pick out the moldy parts? No. Mold spores are microscopic and spread throughout the bale even when you cannot see them. Mold can produce mycotoxins that remain in the hay even after the visible mold is removed. Feeding moldy hay can cause respiratory problems, digestive upset, and toxin exposure. The safest choice is to discard moldy hay entirely. If you have a large quantity of hay with minor mold, have it tested for mycotoxins before feeding it, and monitor your goats closely for any signs of illness. ### How much grain should I feed my goats? The amount depends on the class of goat and the quality of your forage. A lactating doe producing 2 quarts of milk per day may need 1 to 2 pounds of grain per day. A dry doe at maintenance may need no grain at all if she has good hay. A growing kid may need 0.5 to 1 pound per day. Start with the lower end of the range and increase gradually while monitoring body condition. Grain should never exceed about 60 percent of the total diet, because goats need adequate forage for rumen health. ### What is the difference between ADF and NDF in a forage test? ADF stands for acid detergent fiber, and NDF stands for neutral detergent fiber. ADF measures cellulose and lignin, which are the less digestible parts of the plant. Lower ADF values indicate higher digestibility and more energy. NDF measures the total fiber content, including hemicellulose. Higher NDF values indicate that goats will eat less of the forage because it is bulkier. For good goat hay, look for ADF below 35 percent and NDF below 55 percent. ### Can I feed my goats cattle feed or sheep feed? You can feed cattle feed to goats in some situations, but it is not ideal. Cattle feed often contains additives such as ionophores that are toxic to goats. Urea, which is sometimes added to cattle feed, can cause ammonia toxicity in goats. Sheep feed is closer to goat feed, but sheep are more sensitive to copper than goats, so sheep feed may be too low in copper for goats. The safest choice is a feed formulated specifically for goats. If you must use another species feed, read the label carefully and avoid feeds with ionophores, urea, or excessive additives. ### How long can I store grain before it goes bad? Properly stored grain can last 6 to 12 months, but quality declines over time. Whole grains last longer than processed grains because processing exposes the kernel to oxygen and moisture. Cracked or rolled grain should be used within 3 months. Ground grain should be used within 1 month. Commercial pelleted feeds last 3 to 6 months if stored properly. Always check stored grain for signs of spoilage before feeding, and use a first-in, first-out system. ### What should I do if my goats refuse to eat hay? First, check the hay quality. Goats refuse hay that is moldy, dusty, or too coarse. If the hay looks good, check for other problems. Are the goats healthy? Do they have dental problems? Is the feeder clean? Are they getting too much grain, which reduces their appetite for hay? If the hay passes inspection and the goats still refuse it, try offering a different type of hay. Some goats prefer grass hay over legume hay, or vice versa. If the problem persists, consult your veterinarian to rule out health issues. ### How do I collect a hay sample for testing? Use a hay probe, which is a hollow metal tube available from farm supply stores. Insert the probe into the end of at least 10 to 20 bales from the same lot, taking a core sample from each. Combine all the cores in a clean plastic bucket and mix them thoroughly. Place about one pound of the mixed sample in a clean plastic bag and seal it. Label the bag with the date, hay type, and field or lot identification. Send the sample to a certified forage testing laboratory, following their submission instructions. ## Related Farming Guides This section will contain links to related farming guides on [goat nutrition](/knowledge/animal-farming/goats/goat-nutrition-basics-essential-nutrients-feeding-management), herd health management, and forage production. These guides are populated programmatically based on your reading history and the topics most relevant to your farming operation. ## Related Clinical & Scientific Guides * [Goat Breeding Season Planning: Timing, Nutrition, and Health Checks](/knowledge/animal-farming/goats/goat-breeding-season-planning) * [Alfalfa Hay for Goats: Feeding Decisions and Mineral Context](/knowledge/animal-farming/goats/alfalfa-hay-for-goats-feeding-decisions-and-mineral-context) * [Goat Fiber Production: Cashmere and Mohair Management](/knowledge/animal-farming/goats/goat-fiber-production-cashmere-mohair-management) ## References - American Consortium for [Small Ruminant Parasite Control](/knowledge/veterinary-medicine/food-animal-medicine/small-ruminant-parasite-control-diagnostic-strategies-anthelmintic-stewardship) (ACSRPC): https://www.wormx.info/ - USDA APHIS Goat Health: https://www.aphis.usda.gov/livestock-poultry-disease/sheep-goats - FAO Sheep and Goat Production: https://www.fao.org/animal-production/en/ - FAO Animal Production and Health: https://www.fao.org/animal-production/en/ - WOAH (World Organisation for Animal Health): https://www.woah.org/en/home/ > This article is educational and is not a substitute for veterinary diagnosis, treatment, public-health guidance, or regulatory reporting.