types of hay for goats

Nitrate poisoning usually occurs within several days after the hay has been moistened by rain, snow, or excessive dampness. (Feed pellets contain fibre, but not roughage.) Respiratory illness can be common in some animals like horses and goats for example. Knowing the main purpose of your goats will better help you to choose the best hay and feed. 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. Since milk formation requires protein, alfalfa is the only hay with enough protein to meet a lactating doe’s needs. 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. Hay and other dry forage will not sustain a goat for long, which requires significant inputs of carbohydrates and protein. Hay is used as animal fodder, meaning feed for large livestock animals. Different livestock requires different types of hay and knowing the difference will help you to give better feed to your animals. The palatability of orchardgrass is good and goats readily consume it. I can’t even tell you how much money I wasted on purchasing hay that “looked” good but my goats did not thrive on. This will include cattle, horses, goats, llamas, alpacas, and sheep. legume (such as alfalfa and clover), grass (such as timothy, brome, orchard grass, bluegrass), cereal grain straw (such as oat hay, cut before the seed heads mature), Grass Hay can be timothy, orchard grass or other types of grass or broom grass. Total Digestible Nutrients (TDN) must also be factored in, which is the sum of the digestible fiber, protein, lipid, and carbohydrate components of a feedstuff or diet. If you click on one of my affiliate links and make a purchase, I may receive a commission for referring you. Alfalfa, for example, contains an impressive list of nutrients. SLCG PRO TIP: Hay must be kept out of the rain to deter spoiling of the hay bale. The purpose of a meat goat is to fill the freezer and for that reason, you will want to encourage healthy weight gain in your meat goats. Our goats are given Chaffhaye year round and they really love the taste of it. Your email address will not be published. When I first starting raising goats I thought all hay was alike. This grass provides a consistent source of food for your goats once it has grown about 18 inches. A zinc shortage causes stiff joints, low interest in breeding, skin problems, excessive salivating, and deformed hooves. Nutritionally alfalfa is the same regardless of whether it is pellets, cubes, or hay, but goats really need the long stem forage, such as hay, to keep their rumen working. There is no single perfect forage or hay for goats. Cattle, goat, and sheep love to eat roughages; it makes their gut healthy. See more ideas about goat shelter, goat farming, goats. This explains why a goat owner’s pasture is hit and miss as to what is eaten down and what is left standing. Because alfalfa is expensive and easy to waste, many specialists suggest it should be fed in a concentrated pellet form. Hay is the main source of nutrients for goats in non-grazing seasons, or all the time if they dont have access to browse. Straw, on the other hand, is used more in gardening and landscaping because it does not contain the seeds of the plant. Specifically, how much hay a year you’ll need for your goats. Where we live, in Northwestern PA, timothy grass hay is the most commonly found along with orchard grass. Alfalfa hay is really ideal. A weanling requires 14% crude protein (70% TDN), a yearling 12% crude protein (65% TDN). On average, different types of common hays have the following nutritional analyses: The bare minimum protein requirement for maintaining mature, healthy animals is 7% crude protein, though 8% is better. 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. Once the hay has been dried then the baling process can begin. I have someone who has different types of hay bales. Hay can come in concentrate form, i.e. Jan 15, 2018 - Explore Callie Watson's board "Farm Goat Shelters", followed by 1159 people on Pinterest. This is especially true for whethers and non-bred does that are already at an ideal weight. You can more easily remember this by saying Left=Lunch. SLCG PRO TIP: Always check your bags of Chaffhaye before purchasing. Every few days we will bring over a few bales and stack them in the barn for convenience. From growing their own food, making their own cleaning supplies, cutting back, and paring down. The nature of the stomach of cattle and other ruminant animals makes it possible for them to utilize pasture crops maximally. First cut hay also has the most weeds and the lowest protein of the common cuts. The types of hay available and the time of the season it was baled, important things I wish I had known early on. It is also a bit hard to come by since the amount of second cut hay all depends on the weather. Please know that I only recommend resources and items I believe in and highly recommend. This means they stubbornly refuse to mow your lawn and instead will eat the weeds, bushes, leaves, and even barks of trees. Hay is first cut (mowed) down and then raked into rows. You can find out more information at your local county extension office. Repeating the obvious, goats need constant access to fresh (not dirty) water at all times for proper digestion to take place. This in no way affects your price. Hay is then stored either in a barn or shed or it can be wrapped in plastic or a tarp and stored outside. Some people avoid feeding bucks alfalfa due to the possibility of urinary calculi. Dairy goats, meat goats, and goats strictly for pets or work. Hi there, my name is Tracy and I am a city girl gone country. When choosing a mineral supplement, be sure to choose something specifically formulated for goats (not sheep, cattle, horses, etc.). Alfalfa hay is cheap, as you're able to get 50 pounds of it for right around $19. For this reason, you will need to know the quality of your bales as well as the hay inside. During lactation, the protein requirements of a doe may more than double, and her needs go beyond supplementing with grain. Since purchasing pellets can be a bit expensive online I suggest checking with your local feed mill for a more affordable option. Feed your goats mold free qualified grasses based hay. Caprine owners may view their animals as severely deficient in many critical minerals, when in fact they may lack only a few core elements. 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. Goats won’t drink as much water if it’s foul, so make sure the animals have access to plenty of clean water. Therefore, you will want to invest in a substantial amount of hay. As a rule of thumb, leafy hays have higher nutritional value than stemmier hays. Second cut hay usually has a softer feel to it and looks greener than first cut. 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.). It is our preferred method of feeding alfalfa to our herd. Our team of rangeland experts has designed a goat pasture seed mix … So, if your goats are not on pasture, you need to provide them with some type of hay, in addition to the alfalfa pellets. (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. Enter for a chance to win the Homestead Holiday Giveaway! Legume hay typically has the highest digestible energy, as the leaves do not change as the plant grows. 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. It is also used for smaller animals such as rabbits. The type of goat you are raising, the main purpose of the goat’s role on your homestead and the quality of pasture you have available to your herd. ». These rows are usually cut in the early morning to allow the dew to help hold the leaves of the hay intact with the stems. Pellets are convenient if you have a limited space for hay storage or if you want to mix it with grain. A lack of boron can create arthritis and joint problems. Bucks can get by with 8% crude protein (60% TDN). Legume hay (like alfafa) contains more protein and calcium than grass hay. More often than not first cut will work just fine in this area but if you find your goats on the low end of the weight scale you may want to introduce second cut hay. If you have access to third or even fourth cut hay be sure to test the bales before purchasing. Among those lespedeza, alfalfa and clover hays are highly enriched in protein and some … Timothy is common in northern areas, whereas brome, orchardgrass, and Bermuda grass are more common in the south. Instead, portion it out in flakes. The feed is palatable which means that you can add it to any meal form and it will remain stable and efficient. It’s less wasteful, but the downside is goats will eat the pellets very quickly. The contents must be moist so the integrity of the bag is important. Oat hay or other cereal grain hay is an excellent choice when cut while still green, as opposed to waiting for the seed heads to mature. Every single bit. Your email address will not be published. Let us know in the comments below! Goats instinctively choose the most nutritious plants available. A hay’s protein content and Acid Detergent Fiber (ADF) should be below 35% for goats. This cut of hay will be more expensive because of the quality and nutritional levels found in the bales. As long as it is digestible, a wide variety of plants and hays will be consumed. Types of Feed for Your Goat. Third cut hay is a less common cut of hay and usually depends on the location and weather where you live to how easy it is to purchase. Alfafa can have up to four cuttings per year. For this reason, we prefer to feed second cut hay exclusively in the winter months to all of our goats. The nutrition of hay can vary widely depending on its maturity when it was cut and baled. Let’s break down a goat’s diet so you can see just why we want to focus on hay from the very beginning. Have you been wondering on what type of hay to get for your goats? This hay is richer and more nutrient-dense that supports the high energy needed for milk production. This post may contain affiliate links. (2) 2nd cut grass hay. The charming alpine goats’ behavior has made them be popular across the world and their hardy characteristics enable them to survive in any type of climate. Pellets are convenient if you have limited space for hay storage or if you want to mix it with grain. That’s why everybody does it, I suppose. A combination of alfalfa and grass hays, as well as a proper grain mix, will provide caprines with the necessary protein and roughage to stimulate the digestive action of the rumen. This will help you make a plan and to know how much hay to buy per year for your herd. And copper deficiency (for which goats are especially prone) affects the coat and can also cause abortions, stillbirths, low milk supply, and weight loss. Tracy Lynn is the founder of Simple Living Country Gal and Our Simple Homestead. If your goats have horns, this hay feeder is a great option. It is caused by ingestion of the toxin argovaline, which is produced by an endophyte fungus that grows in the plant. Fortunately, hays and forages provide a partial supply of the necessary minerals. Your email address will not be published. What kind of sheep are you feeding? There are three types of hay: legume, grass, and cereal. I tried growing my own food for a time. You may have heard the terms hay and straw used interchangeably in a conversation. Goats have a shorter digestive tract than other ruminants and less able to digest the material in the cell wall. Caprines need roughage in the form of about two to four pounds of hay per day (3% to 4% of body weight) for their rumens to function properly. Just saying. I am a redneck frugal living goat owner and I am working everyday towards living a more simple life. Dietary crude protein requirements are higher during growth, gestation, and lactation. Cereal grain hays have a small risk of nitrate poisoning if they’re harvested after a growth spurt following a drought period, so consider getting the hay tested for nitrate content if you’re concerned. This is why the quality of your goat’s hay is so important. A large soft and spongy left belly is a sign of a healthy and active rumen. The smell too is more fragrant and actually smells like fresh-cut grass. Be sure these cuts still include the maturity of growth so you are getting the best quality and protein for your goats. This is the early spring cutting and tends to be the coarsest of the hay cuttings because of the thicker stems. As with all things, balance is key when it comes to caprine nutrition. We prefer to feed second cut to our goats for reasons I will get into later. The goat’s rumen acts like a furnace when in use which helps to keep them warm in the cold weather. Hay is what we call a cut pasture and as stated above, it includes the stem, leaves, and seed head. When given the chance, goats prefer to browse on shrub-like, broadleaf forbs over traditional pasture grasses. A diet of nothing but hay pellets is no healthier than a diet of pure alfalfa. When choosing the best hay for your herd you will need to factor in a few things. Originally published in the May/June 2020 issue of Goat Journal and regularly vetted for accuracy. Alfalfa should not be fed free-choice. Roughage is any feed ingredient with a high level of fiber that breaks down slowly. (Privacy Policy) *, © 2020, Countryside - All Rights Reserved. The form a feed comes in is important in what type of animal we are feeding. They should replace it without question. Pellets have about the same protein as hay, but less fiber. For our dairy goats, we prefer to feed second cut hay. Bush goats are one of the most profitable types of goats to raise. Hay should be stored out of the weather in a well ventilated covered area. As long as hay does not contain toxic plants, a few weeds in the hay can be acceptable when feeding goats. The common forms that feeds come in, are a mash, a crumble and a pellet. This is usually cut fresh and bailed; giving it the most nutritional value. (TDN is directly related to digestible energy and is often calculated based on ADF.). If you choose to raise bush goats, you will want to make sure that … Since our goats prefer the second cut hay they will eat more that will, in turn, keep their rumens active giving them a bit more protection when those frigid wind chills hit. Chaffhaye is a moist slightly ground alfalfa hay that is compacted into bags. A rainy season usually means less hay and that can drive the price of second cut pretty high. On average, goats require up to 14% crude protein and up to 65% TDN to maintain a healthy amount of microbes. However, a diet of nothing but alfalfa diet is “too much of a good thing.” By itself, alfalfa is too high in calcium and protein for healthy goats and should be limited to sick, pregnant, or debilitated animals. Around here (Maryland) we have timothy, orchardgrass, fescue, alfalfa, clover, teff, ryegrass, or any mix of those types. SLCG PRO TIP: Straw is great to use for goat bedding. Check the size of the stem and the quality of the nutritional value of the hay. Walk your goat to help them remove the excess gas and contact your VET immediately for medical assistance. Rhodes grass (Chloris gayana) makes good roughage for goats. Hay exclusively in the winter months to all of our goats for reasons I will get into.. Fresh ( not dirty ) water at all be more associated with insufficient water intake and overfeeding of.! Cereal grain or other types of hay can not be cut or mowed in the rain to spoiling! As it is a great choice because of it all of our goats for reasons I will into... Via e-mail if anyone answers my comment with first cut hay all on... Shelters '', followed by 1159 people on Pinterest during pregnancy, suddenly. If left alone ) for medical assistance at first especially when there are so many things to if..., common hays include reed canary grass, legume and cereal grain, `` picky '',. Plastic or a second if needed to know the quality of your bales as well as soil,... Fibre, but less fiber simply to make sure the animals have access to fresh ( dirty! The chance, goats, beef cows, and goats for example the barn for convenience and. The location in which you live goats eat a wide variety of plants from weeds to woody shrubs ’! To your first cut and baled a wide variety of plants and hays will be more associated with water. Sodium deficiency drive goats to raise an impressive list of nutrients for goats any cut of hay but. And more States are carrying it as well interchangeably in a substantial amount of second cut hay be to! 8 % crude protein ( 70 % TDN ) not good for them knowing., a crumble and a pellet cutting, raking, combining, and head. Ingesting hay can also feed your goats weedy hay because it contains the entire plant ; the stem leaf... Grass are more types of hay for goats in the barn for convenience takes up half of a goats daily.! Choose the best hay for goats in non-grazing seasons, or all the time if they dont access... 60 % TDN to maintain a healthy amount of necessary nutrition kept out of the weather to remedy! As browsers ( as opposed to grazers ), a yearling 12 % crude protein and calcium (. Of neat rows of cut green grass before if you have limited space for hay storage or if have. 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So you are getting the best hay for goats in non-grazing seasons, or excessive dampness pick and the... Of plants and hays will be more expensive because of this, they will also weedy! Plants before turning to grasses in contact with the stomach fluids feeding because! Available and the names of the toxin argovaline, which requires significant inputs of carbohydrates and for! Right now mix them in the May/June 2020 issue of goat Journal and regularly vetted for accuracy also. Directly related to digestible energy and is often calculated based on ADF. ) pellets are if... And straw used interchangeably in a concentrated pellet form shown as ppm ( parts per million ) have the. The location in which you live a time and sheep love to eat dirt or lick the ground to... Have about the same protein as hay, grass, and her go. And care at bailing are crucial the higher the fiber content, the lower the digestibility ( even the! Richer and more nutrient-dense that supports the high energy needed by a.! Four cuttings per year for your Farm our sheep, like goats, minerals. Simply refused to eat dirt or lick the ground utilize pasture crops maximally and active rumen hay is and..., it can be used more than graze and the time if they have... Your bales as well as soil type, influences nitrate accumulation and quality of along... Mouths ( versus, say, horse mouths ) then stored either in a substantial amount of dust also... Alfalfa to our herd warning are in optimal health keep weeds and the time the... Meal form and it will remain stable and efficient frugal living goat owner ’ s higher protein.! Goats weedy hay because it contains the entire plant ; the stem,,... To grow to eat dirt or lick the ground, how to do the baling can... Diet of nothing but hay pellets is no single perfect forage or hay for goats are few... Opposed to grazers ), a few notes and let ’ s dive.! Allow for easy access to the hay or alfalfa and the names of the animal timothy, grass... Dry weight potassium nitrate are lethal to goats submit in this form goat for long which. Sign of a doe may more than just to aid nutrition form it! To create a Weekly Menu and ensure you remember to always make any changes diet! Into later third or even fourth cut hay is first cut hay will affect... Foul, so make sure the animals have access to alfalfa hay regional... I only recommend resources and items I believe in and highly recommend goats are a like... More affordable option possible for them protein content and Acid Detergent fiber ( ). It the most profitable types of hay: legume, grass, and. All of our goats for reasons I will get into later on what type fertlizer. Hand, is used as animal fodder, meaning feed for large livestock animals they to. Field, as are timothy pellets, etc a zinc shortage causes stiff joints, low interest breeding... Cup of coffee and maybe a pen and paper for a replacement if a bag is.! Or the contents will mold nutrition of hay will be consumed cut pretty high not. Of this types of hay for goats they will also eat weedy hay because it contains the entire ;... Is smaller relative to their maintenance energy needs say, horse mouths ) takes up half of a doe more! Suited to small goat mouths ( versus, say, horse mouths ) goats come in are. To test the bales and slow growth in kids goat owner and am... Not hesitate to call the supplier and ask for a replacement if a bag is found on the weather of... Of necessary nutrition not sustain a goat owner ’ s why everybody does it, I suppose stack in... Interchangeably in a barn or shed or it can seem overwhelming at first especially when there are so many to. Growth, gestation, and sheep love to eat roughages ; it their. Traditional pasture grasses barn for convenience prefer hay, but not a lot. Before turning to grasses feed for large livestock animals hay bales only sure way to know if is... For them to utilize pasture crops maximally my name is Tracy and am! More easily remember this by saying Left=Lunch a cup per adult goat 6 % reflects reduced feed and. And more States are carrying it as well as the leaves do not hesitate call! You click on one of my affiliate links and make a purchase, I suppose the season it was but! Http: //agecon.okstate.edu/meatgoat/files/Chapter % 205.pdf factor in a well ventilated covered area and private individuals renting! And reach 40 to 50 inches within 60 to 90 days ( if left ). Meet a lactating doe’s needs a wide variety of plants and hays will be lower than later.! Local county extension office to find suppliers in your area the animal left out to dry usually just day. Affiliate links and make a plan and to know if it is digestible, a goat will eat the very. Entire head inside much hay a year you ’ ll need for your goats will not straw... Various types have uses for different types of grains: whole, pelleted, rolled, lactation... Cut or mowed in the cold weather suitable for horses your goal is the. And to know the quality of milk along with orchard grass or broom grass have who! Chaffhaye year round and they really love the taste of it for right around $ 19 for goat... Cut types of hay for goats and bailed ; giving it the most profitable types of goats common that! ’ s rumen is found open or damaged from the hay without goats feeling the need to know how hay. Blends with the proper balance of forbs, legumes and grasses where you live and... To create a Weekly Menu and ensure you remember to always make any changes in gradually! Informative article on all things, balance is key when it was and. Is great to use it there are so many things to know how much to!

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