4,777 answers about horses & farm animals
Horses and farm animals run on routine — feeding schedules, hoof and health care, safe fencing and calm handling, in all weather. This page gathers the horse and farm animal library of KinsLe Answers in one place, organized by topic from daily care to travel and senior animals. Every answer is original, written by KinsLe, and tied to a real KinsLe feature.
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409 answers in Feeding & Nutrition — page 8 of 18
A Khaki Campbell duck eats about four to five ounces of waterfowl or layer feed a day, roughly a quarter to a third of a pound, which is generous for her small size because she is one of the most prolific laying ducks. Always feed beside water deep enough for her to dip her whole bill, since ducks wash feed down as…
A mature Gloucestershire Old Spots on maintenance typically needs about four to five pounds of pig feed a day, split into two meals, alongside pasture, hay, or garden produce — and this heritage breed genuinely needs the restraint, because it fattens more readily than modern breeds. Growing pigs eat more as they gain…
An adult Boer goat typically eats five to eight pounds of food a day in total, built mostly from hay or pasture, with grain added only for growing kids, late-pregnancy does, nursing mothers, or goats that need to gain condition. A dry adult Boer on good forage often needs just a small grain handful or none, because…
A Berkshire's daily amount depends on its stage: a young grower may eat three to four pounds of pig feed, a finishing pig six to eight pounds, and a mature breeding animal on maintenance roughly four to six pounds split into two meals. Berkshires grow fast and finish early, so weigh or condition-check regularly and…
A Silkie needs only about two to three ounces of feed a day, roughly half a cup, because most Silkies weigh just two to three pounds and lay modestly compared with full-size hens. Use a shallow feeder her crest and feathered feet do not foul, keep crumble rather than large pellets if she picks around them, and watch…
A Rhode Island Red hen eats about a quarter of a pound of layer feed a day, roughly three-quarters to one cup, because she is a large dual-purpose bird supporting both egg laying and a heavy frame. Offer it free choice rather than as one measured meal, top the feeder before the flock gets restless, and expect intake…
An adult Pekin typically eats about half a pound of feed a day — roughly one heaped cup of pellets — and heavy or laying birds may take a little more. Pekins are big, fast-growing meat-type ducks with hearty appetites, so free access suits growers, while adult pets do better on a measured ration to prevent obesity.…
An adult llama typically needs about 5 to 8 pounds of hay or equivalent pasture a day — llamas are exceptionally efficient grazers and browsers, so they thrive on forage alone in most cases. Concentrated feed is rarely necessary and should be limited to a small measured amount for youngsters, nursing mothers, or a…
An adult Leghorn typically eats about a quarter of a pound of feed a day — roughly half a cup of layer pellets — which is a little less than heavier breeds manage. Leghorns are light, active, efficient layers that forage enthusiastically, so ranging birds may take slightly less, but laying hens still need their full…
An adult Khaki Campbell typically eats about a third to just under half a pound of feed a day — roughly three-quarters to one cup of pellets — with laying hens at the top of that range. Khaki Campbells are light, active, prolific layers, and free-ranging birds that forage well will take a little less from the feeder.…
A mature Jersey typically eats about 30 to 40 pounds of dry matter a day when milking — noticeably less than a Holstein, because Jerseys are much smaller cows — and around 20 to 25 pounds of mostly forage when dry. A milking Jersey's ration combines quality forage with a concentrate portion scaled to her yield. Do not…
A lactating Holstein is one of the hungriest animals on a farm, typically eating 50 pounds or more of dry matter a day — a mix of quality forage and a balanced concentrate ration split across milkings. A dry Holstein eats far less, around 25 to 30 pounds of mostly forage. Intake follows milk output, so rations are…
A mature Hereford cow typically needs about 20 to 30 pounds of forage dry matter a day — good pasture in season, or roughly half to two-thirds of a small square hay bale in winter depending on bale weight. Needs rise in late pregnancy and while nursing a calf, when better hay and a modest supplement may be added.…
A growing Duroc on free access to feed will typically eat about 4 to 7 pounds a day as it approaches market weight, while a mature breeding sow kept on a measured ration usually gets around 4 to 6 pounds daily, rising in late pregnancy and lactation. Durocs are fast-growing, heavily muscled pigs with strong appetites,…
A typical adult Dexter needs roughly 15 to 25 pounds of hay or equivalent forage dry matter a day, with pasture covering much of that in grazing season. Dexters are small, thrifty cattle, so they eat noticeably less than full-sized breeds, but a milking Dexter or one in late pregnancy needs extra energy and protein on…
Standardbreds can gain weight readily once racing or regular hard work stops, because they are hardy, efficient horses bred to thrive on working rations, and a retired or lightly worked horse often needs far less feed than habit suggests. In work, though, a fit Standardbred may hold condition rather than pile it on,…
American Saddlebreds vary, and many are not natural good doers, because their active, expressive way of going and the work asked of show and pleasure horses can keep condition in check. Some individuals, especially those in light work on rich grazing, do round out quickly, so judge the horse in front of you by ribs,…
Yorkshire pigs should eat a balanced ration formulated for pigs every day, measured to age and body condition, with constant clean water and only small amounts of vegetables or fruit as extras. Unlike grazing breeds, Yorkshires — large, fast-growing commercial pigs — do not thrive on pasture alone; grass is a…
Suffolk sheep should eat pasture or grass hay every day, minerals formulated for sheep, and clean water, with extra protein and energy for fast-growing lambs and for ewes in late pregnancy or nursing. Suffolks are a large meat breed prized for rapid lamb growth, and that growth is fed, not automatic — lambs on thin…
Saanen goats should eat high-quality hay or pasture every day in generous amounts, loose minerals formulated for goats, very plentiful clean water, and a measured grain ration split across milkings for does in production. Saanens are large, high-yielding dairy goats, and volume is their story: a doe milking heavily…
Nubian goats should eat pasture, browse, or quality hay every day, loose minerals made for goats, plenty of clean water, and a measured grain ration for does in milk, whose rich, high-butterfat production takes real energy. Nubians are an easy-keeping dairy breed that gains weight readily when dry, so the same doe…
Nigerian Dwarf goats should eat good hay or browse every day, loose minerals formulated for goats, and fresh water, with a small measured grain portion reserved mainly for does in milk and growing kids. The trap with this tiny dairy breed is scale: a scoop that looks modest is a large meal for a goat this size, and…
Merino sheep should eat pasture or grass hay every day as the bulk of the diet, with free access to minerals formulated specifically for sheep, clean water, and extra energy and protein at demanding times such as late pregnancy, nursing lambs, and growing a heavy fleece. Merinos put a lot of nutritional work into…
LaMancha goats should eat forage all day — pasture, browse, or good hay — plus loose minerals formulated for goats, constant clean water, and a measured grain ration for does who are milking or growing youngsters. LaManchas are a dairy breed, so a doe producing milk needs noticeably more energy and protein than a dry…
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