Livestock Feeding Basics

What is the foundation of a good diet?

For grazing animals, the foundation is forage: pasture, hay or both. Their digestive systems are built to turn fibrous plants into energy. Pigs and poultry have different digestive systems and rely more on formulated feeds. Whatever you keep, clean water and appropriate minerals sit alongside the main feed.

Because needs differ by species, never copy a feeding plan from a different animal. Ask your veterinarian or extension office for a plan for the species and age you keep.

Feeding is also about timing and routine. Animals do well with regular feeding times, since sudden changes in routine can cause stress and competition at the feeder. Make sure every animal can reach feed, including the shy and low-ranking ones, by giving enough feeder space or feeding in more than one spot.

What nutrients do animals need?

Animals need energy, protein, minerals, vitamins and water. Energy and protein drive growth, milk production and body condition, while minerals and vitamins support bones, immunity and reproduction. Soil in your region affects what your forage supplies, so some areas run short of certain minerals.

Extension offices can help you interpret forage testing. A forage test describes your hay or pasture, and a nutritionist or extension agent can compare it with what your animals require. This beats guessing.

How do needs change with age and season?

Growing young animals, pregnant and nursing mothers, hard-working animals and animals in cold weather all need more than an idle adult in mild weather. An older animal with worn teeth may struggle with coarse hay. Seasonal changes also alter pasture quality, which can be rich and abundant in spring and sparse in a dry summer or winter.

Watch body condition rather than feed amounts alone. A thin animal needs a change in feed or a health check. An overweight one may need less.

Body condition scoring gives you a consistent way to judge whether your plan is working. Check animals by hand as well as by eye, since long hair or wool can hide a thin frame. Your veterinarian or extension office can show you how to score the species you keep.

• Growth, late pregnancy and lactation raise needs.
• Cold, wet weather raises energy needs.
• Old or ill animals may need softer or more digestible feed.

How do I introduce changes safely?

Sudden feed changes can upset an animal's digestion, sometimes seriously. Change diets gradually, giving the gut's microbes time to adjust. This applies to moving from hay to lush spring grass, adding grain and switching types of hay.

Ruminants such as cattle, sheep and goats are especially sensitive, and a bellyful of the wrong feed can cause illness or death. If an animal gets into a feed bin and overeats, call a veterinarian promptly rather than waiting.

How should I store and handle feed?

Moldy, wet or contaminated feed can sicken animals. Keep grain in rodent-proof containers, hay dry and off the ground, and feed bins clean. Check for spoilage, strange smells and heat in stored feed. Throw out what you doubt.

Secure feed so that loose animals cannot overeat. Label additives and medicated feeds clearly, and follow the label and your veterinarian's instructions.

Think about your own safety when feeding large animals. Hungry animals can push, kick or crowd you, and a heavy feeder can injure you if it tips. Use gates and feeders that let you pour feed without stepping into the middle of a group.

What can go wrong with feed?

Some plants are poisonous, and mistakes with feed formulated for another species can be harmful. Medicated feed for one species can be dangerous to another. Moldy hay, fertilized pastures at certain stages and unfamiliar weeds all carry risks.

Ask your extension office for a list of toxic plants in your area, and walk pastures regularly. If you suspect poisoning, call a veterinarian immediately.

How do I keep feeding costs under control?

Good pasture management lowers the amount of purchased feed you need. Avoid waste with feeders that reduce trampling, feed only what animals will eat, and match feed to need. Store hay well, since losses add up.

Track what you feed and what it costs. Your Farm Service Agency or extension office can tell you about assistance programs and planning tools, and your veterinarian can help check that a cheaper feed is not costing you in animal health.

Finally, read labels. Feed tags list ingredients and guidance for the species and life stage the feed was made for, and they may carry warnings that matter for your animals. If the label says not for another species, believe it.

Last reviewed: November 12, 2026. Written by the Rural Farm Life Editorial Team. See our editorial policy.