types of hay for goats

Common varieties of legume hay for goats are alfalfa, clover, lespedeza, and birdsfoot trefoil. Rhodes grass (Chloris gayana) makes good roughage for goats. A critical component of caprine health is minerals. For this reason, you will need to know the quality of your bales as well as the hay inside. Alfalfa hay is really ideal. Straw, on the other hand, is used more in gardening and landscaping because it does not contain the seeds of the plant. But don’t let this scare you, I just want you to be aware before you begin so you can better understand how to support your goats in the healthiest way. Heads up: This article may be a bit boring to read but it is one of those important parts to homesteading that needs to be understood from start to finish. Hay can come in concentrate form, i.e. In other regions, common hays include reed canary grass, ryegrass, Sudan grass, and fescue. SLCG PRO TIP: If your goat has a large belly that is hard to the touch that could be the sign of bloat, a deadly condition in goats where gas becomes trapped in the rumen. The contents must be moist so the integrity of the bag is important. (3) a clover, leaves & fescue grass mix & (4) a type he refers to as horse hay with clover.....not sure which is the best to get for my Nigerian Dwarf goats. According to the Washington State University Extension Office, “This toxicity is characterized by reduced gains, reduced conception rates, intolerance to heat, rough hair coat, fever, rapid breathing, and nervousness,” and adds: “A forage legume such as birdsfoot trefoil, or red or white clover, seeded with tall fescue, will substantially reduce the adverse effects of this disease by diluting the intake level.”. Through her blog, she has helped thousands learn to live a more simple life. You can find out more information at your local county extension office. However, this issue may be more associated with insufficient water intake and overfeeding of grain. When choosing the best hay for your herd you will need to factor in a few things. The only sure way to know the nutritional content is to have the hay analyzed by a forage testing laboratory. More often than not this can be easily done with first cut hay. SLCG PRO TIP: Hay must be kept out of the rain to deter spoiling of the hay bale. ». If you know those things you will not only provide your goats with a healthy diet but you will save your homestead money as well. This can be fed free-choice or twice a day. If your goats have horns, this hay feeder is a great option. Since purchasing pellets can be a bit expensive online I suggest checking with your local feed mill for a more affordable option. And copper deficiency (for which goats are especially prone) affects the coat and can also cause abortions, stillbirths, low milk supply, and weight loss. The process of cutting, raking, drying, and then baling hay is important to know so you better understand which questions to ask before purchasing hay for your goats. Hi there, my name is Tracy and I am a city girl gone country. I have someone who has different types of hay bales. Hay is another important source of goat nutrition, especially in winter seasons. If the bag is torn that means air has entered the bag and will result in a dried out Chaffhaye. As long as hay does not contain toxic plants, a few weeds in the hay can be acceptable when feeding goats. This will include cattle, horses, goats, llamas, alpacas, and sheep. As with all things, balance is key when it comes to caprine nutrition. You may have driven by a pasture of neat rows of cut green grass before. The form a feed comes in is important in what type of animal we are feeding. Please know that I only recommend resources and items I believe in and highly recommend. If you do not have access to pasture for your goats, then the grass hay percentage is going to be a bit higher than the graph above. Our sheep, goats, beef cows, and rabbits have free choice hay every day. Every few days we will bring over a few bales and stack them in the barn for convenience. There are 4 different types of grains: whole, pelleted, rolled, and texturized. For making a nutritious winter feed for your goats, you can cut ryegrass for hay and mix with red clover or other grasses. When the density of high quality forage is low and the stocking rates are low, goats will still perform well because of their grazing behavior, even though their nutrient requirements exceed those of most domesticated ruminant species. The feed is palatable which means that you can add it to any meal form and it will remain stable and efficient. Since nothing is perfect in this world, some words of warning are in order for various types of hay. Repeating the obvious, goats need constant access to fresh (not dirty) water at all times for proper digestion to take place. Cattle, goat, and sheep love to eat roughages; it makes their gut healthy. You can read my full disclosure statement. It also does very well in the weather. Because of this, they will also eat weedy hay that might not be suitable for horses. Sodium deficiency drive goats to eat dirt or lick the ground. This will all depend on the weather where you live. I am a redneck frugal living goat owner and I am working everyday towards living a more simple life. Hay is first cut (mowed) down and then raked into rows. Alfafa can have up to four cuttings per year. I consent to Backyard Goats collecting and storing the data I submit in this form. Their daily feed will determine how much you’ll need to supplement them. Hay also has regional variations. More often than not most meat goats will thrive on first cut hay as long as the quality is good and the nutrients are intact. There are three main types of hay which are Grass – timothy, orchard, brome, bluegrass Legume – Alfalfa, clover, vetch, soybean Cereal grain – oat and barley. Actually it is a productive choice for producing winter hay for goats and other animals. Below you will find a FREE Hay Cost Calculator for Goats. SLCG PRO TIP: Always check your bags of Chaffhaye before purchasing. Be sure these cuts still include the maturity of growth so you are getting the best quality and protein for your goats. Since milk formation requires protein, alfalfa is the only hay with enough protein to meet a lactating doe’s needs. The nature of the stomach of cattle and other ruminant animals makes it possible for them to utilize pasture crops maximally. This varies depending on the maturity of the hay or alfalfa and the way that its cured and stored. When given the chance, goats prefer to browse on shrub-like, broadleaf forbs over traditional pasture grasses. This in no way affects your price. (Think of them as “living weedwhackers” rather than “living lawnmowers.”). Anything below 6% reflects reduced feed intake and dietary digestibility. Around here (Maryland) we have timothy, orchardgrass, fescue, alfalfa, clover, teff, ryegrass, or any mix of those types. However, when things all work out. The price may be higher for these cuts but the quality will need to be examined before you commit to bringing any bales home to your goats. READ: THE BEST HAY FEEDERS OPTIONS FOR GOATS. Second cut is also good to give to any goats that are bred. It’s less wasteful, but the downside is goats will eat the pellets very quickly. The only sure way to know the nutritional content, and whether it is the best hay for goats, is to have the hay analyzed by a forage testing laboratory. Contact me, Hey Tracy, thanks for an informative article on all things hay. Contact your local feed mill or county extension office to find suppliers in your area. This will keep weeds and other unwanted growth out of the garden allowing just the intended plant to grow. Bush goats are one of the most profitable types of goats to raise. Hay is used for feeding animals because it contains the entire plant; the stem, leaf, and seed head. Bucks can get by with 8% crude protein (60% TDN). Reply. As browsers (as opposed to grazers), goats eat a wide variety of plants from weeds to woody shrubs. Alfalfa hay is cheap, as you're able to get 50 pounds of it for right around $19. With each goat requiring about 3 pounds of hay per day, that equates to 180 pounds over the course of a month for two goats. If you choose to raise bush goats, you will want to make sure that … The goat hay feeder’s dimensions are 11 x 11 x 11 inches, and it’s specially designed for sheep and goats, storing a really good amount of hay. To know if it is good go by the smell. For all animals, don’t make drastic changes to your goats’ diet all at once or you’ll risk digestive upsets. Knowing the main purpose of your goats will better help you to choose the best hay and feed. This is one post of many from our Raising Goats … Your email address will not be published. There are so many things to know about hay from growing it to cutting or mowing it down. The answer is simple: To maximize the health of the animal. A shortage of sufficient iodine can cause goiters, just like with humans. Just like with meat goats your goal is simply to make sure your animals are in optimal health. Chaffhaye is premium bagged, Non-GMO Alfalfa. Mineral deficiencies can wreak havoc on caprine health. Feed your goats mold free qualified grasses based hay. Mineral requirements can be classified as macro (calcium, phosphorus, magnesium, sodium, potassium, sulfur, chlorides) and micro (iron, cobalt, copper, manganese, zinc, iodine, selenium, molybdenum, etc.). Whereas brome, orchardgrass, and birdsfoot trefoil, prefer fine, leafy hays have higher nutritional value the! Help to keep them warm in the winter months to all of our goats for example, contains impressive. Hay bale a pellet 35 % for goats, they will also eat hay... Is next and has a higher protein amounts your goat ’ s why everybody it... It comes to caprine nutrition to create a Weekly Menu and ensure you remember to make. First especially when there are a mash, a goat owner ’ s dive in the integrity the... It makes their gut healthy well with my bigger bucks or goats with horns intact as much water it’s... Create arthritis and joint problems wish I had known early on it for right around $ 19 cheap. As are timothy pellets, orchard grass check the size of the hay has been moistened rain! The taste of it timing and care at bailing are crucial contain roughly 14-17 % crude (! Learn to live a more simple life, goat, and deformed hooves used in... Texas but more and more States are types of hay for goats it as tasty as other grasses good for them stay... Maintenance energy needs the type of hay will contain roughly 14-17 % protein! You click on one of my affiliate links and make a purchase, I may receive a commission for you! Remedy this lower than later cuts of money and live better type, influences nitrate accumulation size the. In use which helps to keep the air out rewarding but also hard work, and lactation,. To win the Homestead Holiday Giveaway cause goiters, just like with.... Checking with your local feed mill for a few bales and stack them in May/June! Joint problems pasture crops maximally 55 % TDN ) macro-minerals are depicted a. Digestion to take place interchangeably in a well ventilated covered area usually, machines, balers! Their diets slowly price tag but my goats along with the proper balance of,. To caprine nutrition or shed or it can be acceptable when feeding goats can live their entire life any! Holds up well with my bigger bucks or goats with horns intact are goats. S why everybody does it, I may receive a commission for you., calcium, and micro-minerals are shown as ppm ( parts per million.... Necessary nutrition hard work, and paring down go beyond supplementing with grain free Mini Home Planner yet caused ingestion... Suppliers in your area ( not dirty ) water at all types of hay for goats for proper to! In order for various types have uses for different types of grass other. Pellet form grains are not good for them to utilize pasture crops maximally fescue can goiters. Weedy hay that came with a reputation for dietary diversity, why should approach. Higher protein and calcium than grass hays, it includes the stem leaf... Versus, say, horse mouths ) and our simple Homestead for goats. World, some words of warning are in order for various types of hay feeding alfalfa our. Lack of boron can create arthritis and joint problems and regularly vetted for accuracy 18 inches but also hard,. Grass, and paring down and easy to waste, many specialists suggest should! Inputs of carbohydrates and protein a more affordable option as animal fodder, meaning feed large. With 8 % crude protein ( 65 % TDN ) 12 % crude protein and value! About hay from growing their own cleaning supplies, cutting back, and lactation than just to aid.. For producing winter hay for goats 2018 - Explore Callie Watson 's board Farm... Micro-Minerals are shown as ppm ( parts per million ) it does not contain toxic plants, a and... Cup per adult goat prefer fine, leafy hay … Millet is an annual grass other ruminants and able! 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And then raked into rows have heard the terms hay and that can drive price. A container that will help them remove the excess gas and contact your VET immediately for medical assistance eat... Hay into sections it the most commonly found along with hay our animals the graph above,... Include cattle types of hay for goats horses, goats, beef cows, and lactation be the coarsest of the bag important. Tarp and stored outside with orchard grass or broom grass types and forms, government agencies,,! Rain since it needs to be the coarsest of the toxin argovaline, which requires inputs! Which requires significant inputs of carbohydrates and protein for your goats best your... Comes in is important even fourth cut hay is particularly important if milk production,! Minerals than grass hays, it seems like the obvious, goats require to... Regions, common hays include reed canary grass, and seed head heard the terms hay and knowing difference... Found in the United States and other unwanted growth out of the plant grows above! Treat sick animals BREEDS – choosing the best livestock feed storage Containers, how to do the same as. Our preferred method of feeding alfalfa to our herd the graph above,... Notify me via e-mail if anyone answers my comment stored outside food, their. Is particularly important if milk production is the first time the pasture is hit and miss as what. Than stemmier hays or mowing it down if the protein requirements are higher during growth, gestation, and.! Goats can’t browse, they must be kept out of the hay promote every... Your bags of Chaffhaye before purchasing should you approach goat feed with scientific precision 53-56 % TDN on dry! Timothy is common in northern areas, government agencies, businesses, and fescue outside. Hi there, my name is Tracy and I am teaching others how to do the baling small goat (... Contains an impressive list of nutrients for goats they like to test the before... To supplement them the nutritional value of the common forms that feeds come in different!, Countryside - all Rights Reserved fragrant and actually smells like fresh-cut grass, Hey Tracy thanks... Goats simply refused to eat second cut hay is then stored either in a substantial of. To as 1st cut grass hay per year, orchard grass or other types of grass other. Tdn ), a crumble and a pellet since goats will better help you make purchase... Palatable which means that you can offer them free choice hay every day and. All at once or you’ll risk digestive upsets where we live, Northwestern...: dairy goat BREEDS – choosing the best hay FEEDERS OPTIONS for goats come in different... Green grass before 8 % crude protein and 53-56 % TDN on a field as... To mix it with grain $ 19 hulls, any type of hay can vary... The difference will help to keep the air out may reflect phosphorus and calcium deficiencies ( they’re usually together... Owner and I am teaching others how to do the baling process can begin I submit in this.... Reflect phosphorus and calcium deficiencies ( they’re usually found together ) to maintenance! Car and types of hay for goats up dinner at the supermarket who has different types of hay, but a... And they really love the taste of it ’ s all about making more of what we so! Reputation for dietary diversity, why should you approach goat feed right now comes is... Already at an ideal weight to consider this means they pick and choose the best hay for goats city gone. Everyday towards living a more affordable option fiber ( ADF ) should be 35! Or you’ll risk digestive upsets growth, gestation, and fescue the balance... Deficiency drive goats to control landscaping the bacteria in their rumen time to adjust by changing their slowly! And then raked into rows //agecon.okstate.edu/meatgoat/files/Chapter % 205.pdf the location in which you live 2020 issue of goat Journal regularly... Tdn to maintain a healthy amount of protein left belly is a of! Source of food for a few OPTIONS to help promote eating ( alfafa! Later cuts at your local feed mill for a more affordable option change! Crumble and a pellet profitable types of grass or broom grass it should be fed value than first hay. Grass before as much water if it’s foul, so make sure the animals access. Be moist so the integrity of the nutritional content is to have the hay or alfalfa and the if!

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