Goat Feed & Hay Calculator

How much hay does a goat eat per day?

Goats eat roughly 2.5–4% of their body weight in dry matter each day. This calculator uses about 2.5% for dry does, wethers and bucks, and about 3.5% for milking does, whose appetite rises with production. A 140-lb milker therefore eats around 5 lb of hay a day, a 130-lb wether a little over 3 lb. Allow extra for waste — goats are notoriously picky.

How much grain does a milking goat need?

A common rule of thumb is 1 lb of dairy ration for every 3 lb of milk, split across milkings. Dry does, wethers and bucks on good forage usually need little or no grain, except in late pregnancy, breeding season or cold weather. Introduce grain changes gradually.

How much water does a goat drink?

About 1 gallon per 100 lb of body weight for a dry goat, plus roughly 1.5 gallons of extra water for every gallon of milk produced. Milkers in hot weather can drink 3–4 gallons a day or more.

Feeding for milk? Read how to increase goat milk production.

FAQs

How much hay does a goat eat per day?

Most goats eat about 2.5–4% of body weight in hay or equivalent forage per day — roughly 3–5 lb for a full-size goat. Milking does eat at the top of that range.

How much does it cost to feed a goat per month?

It varies widely by region and hay price, but a full-size goat on purchased hay commonly costs about $20–$50 per month in hay, plus grain for milkers. Use the calculator with your local prices.

How many bales of hay does a goat need for winter?

A full-size goat eating about 4 lb a day needs around 120 lb a month — two to three small 50-lb square bales per month, more with waste.

This tool provides general estimates for planning and education. It is not a substitute for advice from your veterinarian or a livestock nutritionist.