When feeding grain to goats and sheep, here are some general guidelines to follow:
Do not feed large quantities of grain to ruminant livestock at one time. Large amounts of grain will promote the growth of lactic acidic bacteria, which increases acidity in the rumen and could lead to acidosis. For goats and sheep, a large amount of grain would be in excess of one pound per feeding. Do not feed large quantities of finely ground grains. Fine grounding increases the rate of digestion and increases acidity in the rumen.
Ideally, feed hay before grain to ensure that the grain is not digested too quickly.
Feed a minimum amount of forage to ensure a healthy rumen. A common recommendation is to feed ruminants at least 1.5 percent of the in body weight in forage.
NEVER change rations too abruptly. The rumen bugs need time to adjust to a new diet, usually a 1 to 2 week period. This is especially true if you are changing from a forage-based diet to one which contains more grain.
Feed grains whole. Cracking grain increases the rate of digestion and may increase the risk of acidosis.
Consider feeding supplements in the middle of the day so that you do not disrupt normal grazing activity.
Provide plenty of feeder space to accommodate uniform consumption.
