Posted by Laura Hepburn, Wed, Oct 24, 2012
Welcome to the second article in our blog series on Calf-Manna. This week, our focus is on goats.
While Calf-Manna has been used by animal owners for more than 80 years, there is still some confusion (here in the office, we often refer to it as “calf confusion”) around when it should be used for each species. For this post, we thought we’d simplify the issue just a bit by talking about the five most common situations in which goat owners like you have found Calf-Manna to be a help (or even a lifesaver!).
- My goat is not producing enough milk. Calf-Manna was originally developed to address precisely this issue in cattle, and assisting lactating and milk-producing animals continues to be one of its primary uses across species. Calf-Manna’s high-quality proteins and energy form the building blocks for increased milk production. Goat owners who feed Calf-Manna typically see a difference in milk production right away. Calf-Manna is best introduced before your doe kids and fed on a continuing basis after the babies arrive to ensure adequate milk production.
- My kid is not transitioning to dry feed. Calf-Manna is an ideal first feed for goat kids as it provides high-quality proteins, including whey, that are needed for sound growth and development. The inviting aroma (see #3 below) doesn’t hurt, either!
- My goat is stressed and off their feed from showing or a change in their environment (e.g., weather, weaning, milking, illness, a new feed, etc.). Like most animals, goats can be very sensitive to changes in their environment, and unfortunately they sometimes respond by going off their feed when stressed. Calf-Manna’s unique trademark aroma (if you haven’t smelled it, the anise delivers a wonderful sweet black licorice smell) will attract your goats to their feed and keep them coming back for more. Some have referred to it as “crack for animals”; they are known to go to almost any lengths to get to it, so be sure to keep your supply out of reach!
- My goat is too thin/not gaining weight. One of the most common uses for Calf-Manna is to assist rescue animals or those who have fallen into poor body condition, as it has been proven to help them put on weight and aid in muscle development. The secret? High-quality proteins that provide a wide array of essential amino acids—the building blocks for growth and muscle development. In addition, Calf-Manna contains highly digestible carbohydrates in an “energy-dense” pellet, delivering more calories per mouthful and making it an ideal solution for weight gain.
- My goat has a poor-quality coat. In addition to its patented combination of minerals, Calf-Manna contains linseed meal, which provides both protein and oil that will help add sheen and luster to your goat’s coat (hey, that rhymes!). Because of its aroma and palatability, goats will frequently eat Calf-Manna more readily than they will other coat-enhancing parts of their diet (such as free-choice minerals, for example), ensuring that you get the results you’re looking for. Goat owners who have tried Calf-Manna for this purpose have repeatedly seen results in a very short period of time.
Calf-Manna is available in farm and home retailers and feed stores across the country (check our store locator for a Manna Pro® retailer in your area) in 50-pound, 25-pound and even 10-pound bags. The feeding rate for goats is 1/4 - 1/2 pound per day, so the right size depends on how many goats you have (or plan to feed).
We’d love to hear from you! Have you used Calf-Manna with your goats? How and when did you use it, and what were the results?
