Feeding alfalfa pellets to your goats are only advisable in certain circumstances, such as if hay is not available in enough quantity, your goat is in growing age, or if you have a lactating doe. Is alfalfa good or not so good for Alpine dairy goats. To put it in perspective, one 50-pound bag of chaffhaye is the equivalent of an 85 or a 100-pound bale of hay. He does the same thing when I give him the minerals free choice as well. As when pregnancy kicks in, it is crucial to maintain the energy level of the goat. Moreover, if their kidneys are converting extra protein into urea regularly, it can take a toll on them as well, leading to kidney damage in many cases. I learn alot from this thead,and Have changed my ways. They can also eat alfalfa leaves, which are a good source of fiber. I've been working with the National Wildlife Federation for the past five years. So the eating quantity will be approximately 4 pounds by does in winter and rainy seasons whereas the bucks eat 2 pounds per day. Your pet should be vaccinated for rabies, Clostridium, and tetanus. However, this does not mean that goats cannot eat alfalfa in general. Prairie grass in North Texas thru Oklahoma can be just about anything.it usually just means a combination of mostly native grasses. That's why it is very important that you give them only what they can eat. best fits the space that you have available, take a look at the models that we have selected for you and added in the buying guide that we have prepared on the topic. While some goat-owners may have a personal preference as to the type of hay that their goats receive, there is no one type of goat hay out there that can, or even should, be used. Do you have a garden or somewhere where you can get weeds/grass? Alfalfa can sometimes cause gastrointestinal upsets that arent dangerous but are irritating to your goats. The case is totally opposite to this remark in actuality. Pelleted grain mixes or grain, in general, can also be supplied to goats as it can provide the necessary vitamins and minerals. There can be calcium stones or phosphorus stones, depending on the type of imbalance. It would be best if you add alfalfa to your goats diet gradually. The information on this website should not be take as a substitute for professional advice. Any thoughts? I feee alfalfa pellets to all my does and bucks and have never had problems. The mix is costing me $13.50-14/small bale. They are really the perfect feed for bucks and wethers, you can add some grain to the ration for energy during the winter if you are lacking browse or pasture. Pregnant and young goats should be fed with it as their protein and energy requirements are higher than those of a normal goat. One way to keep your pets warm during the winters is to feed them plenty of quality forage, such as alfalfa hay. Alfalfa is what is most readily available here. (Nutritional Facts, Benefits & FAQs), Can Show Goats Eat Hay? In general, male goats require about 1-2% of their body weight in alfalfa per day. Begin by feeding them the hay in small amounts, and increase it gradually. Feed and Supplements for a Healthier Herd You can't slow down a goat that eats too fast, but you can make the situation less dangerous for them by mixing in non-grain feeds, such as the crumbs that fall off the bales of alfalfa. By keeping an eye on their eating patterns, you can make sure that they are getting all of the nutrients they need without overdoing it on the alfalfa. In extreme cases animals can experience necrosis on tips of ears as well as lameness and hoof malformation. Average orchardgrass-alfalfa mix hay will contain roughly 14-17% crude protein and 53-56% TDN on a dry matter basis. For a better experience, please enable JavaScript in your browser before proceeding. If you keep a buck or wethers ration higher in calcium (alfalfa, clover and other legumes) higher than that of his grass hay and grain, he can not get urinary calculi. Alfalfa hay may be easier. Be prepared to pay a bit more for good to excellent quality hay as opposed to take it as-is hay. The best pastures available are those that contain mixes of grass and clover. Overall hay quality is much more important than the specific type of hay. You can either purchase sprouted alfalfa seeds from the market or online or can sprout them at home. In general, by taking these simple steps, you can help keep your male goats safe and healthy when feeding them alfalfa. Different forages are better suited for different areas. It all depends on your individual circumstances. Note: If you are located in Western Washington, we strongly recommend Eastern Washington hay. Each animal needs between two and four pounds of hay, depending on its age and size. The best practice would be to mix things up a bit. No it is bad for none working goats. To wrap up, then, alfalfa is an excellent addition to your goats diet and something many goat owners feed to their goats. There are a number of different risks associated with feeding alfalfa to male goats. The risk lies on some minerals overdose capability rather than how these substances affect its natural hormones system overtime. It costs a little more than the pure alfalfa since it's trucked in from someplace up north like Indiana or someplace up that way. (Health Benefits/Risks), Can Goats Eat Honeysuckle? Another disadvantage is that bermudagrass can grow so fast during summer months that it can easily become over-mature without regular mowing or good pasture management. What kind of hay do goats eat? The grass pellets could be fed as a mixture with alfalfa pellets and fed to . While there are many benefits of feeding alfalfa hay to the goats, we must not forget that too much of anything is not a good idea for them. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases, About | Privacy Policy |Contact | Advertise, Risks involved in overfeeding alfalfa hay to goats, Between 3 days to 3 weeks old kids: 3-4 times a day, Between 3 to 6 weeks old kids: twice a day. The answer to this question is yes. Alfalfa sprouts can only supply the body with small amounts of nutrients but still provides benefits to your pets overall well-being especially when combined with other sources of vitamins minerals and dietary fiber. But with strategic rotational grazing and/or hay harvest, ryegrass can be maintained in a high quality vegetative state. I think I get the Ca/P stuff but I don't get the feed stuff. One disadvantage of ryegrass is that growth occurs quickly in the spring and it is easy for ryegrass to get over mature. (Health Care Facts, FAQs, and More), Can 1 Year Old Drink Goats Milk? Average meat goats require about 10-14% crude protein and 60- 65% TDN (on a dry matter basis) in the total diet (combination of all hay, pasture and supplements eaten). I cried because I had no shoes, until I saw a man who had no feet. Can he make himself sick on them? I'll try to dig up some of what I had found. In general, goats need three to four percent of their body weight of hay every day. Since sprigging is best accomplished by professionals, establishment of hybrid bermudagrass fields can be relatively expensive. A disadvantage of orchardgrass is that is has relatively poor disease resistance. Just be aware of the different protein levels between alfalfa and regular hay, make careful use of portioning, and youll have a great addition to your goats diet. View our privacy policy and our disclosure policy for more information. Average Coastal Bermudagrass hay tests out at roughly 10-12% crude protein and 55% TDN on a dry matter basis. But in taking care of them longterm you should use ammonium chloride. They may take time to get used to new stuff but mine even eat pumpkin now. Sep 2, 2010 I am getting conflicting information. The timothy and orchard are the most popular hay pellets for goats. Come join the discussion about livestock, farming, gardening, DIY projects, hobbies, recipes, styles, reviews, accessories, classifieds, and more! Goats love alfalfa and are always delighted to see it in their feed. Are alfalfa pellets an acceptable substitute for alfalfa hay if no hay is available? hi Teresa, I live a couple of hours to your east near Ft. Smith and raise dairy goats and hair sheep. Hay is the preferred food for goats. Does it contain high levels of moisture or mold? However, there have been reports that alfalfa sprouts contain high amount of phytoestrogens which might potentially create hormonal imbalance in goats resulting to false pregnancy or infertility. Always remember that you often get what you pay for in terms of nutritional quality. Any sudden change in diet can lead to unfavorable circumstances. Average fescue hay typically contains 8-9% crude protein and 55-60% TDN on a dry matter basis. (Health Benefits/Risks), Can Goats Eat Acorns? It is best not to feed grains to male goats, then, and just skip straight to the small amounts of alfalfa. Feed supplements pay for themselves in improved health and added production when used properly. The best practice would be to mix things up a bit. Sample Hay Analyses On average, different types of common hays have the following nutritional analyses: Alfalfa Crude protein: 19% Crude fiber: 26% TDN: 61% Timothy Crude protein: 8% Crude fiber: 34% TDN: 57% Meadow grass How many times should I feed my goat in a day? Plus they are easier to handle and store. Watch out for that! If your goats . Seemed weird so I bought the chow as well anyways. Each type of hay has unique advantages and disadvantages. It also goes without saying that presence of mold is an indicator of poor harvesting and/or storage practices and will result in lower quality hay. Alfalfa has an excellent nutritive value as a diet for goats, so yes, goats can eat alfalfa without any severe consequences in general. All rights reserved. Another advantage of fescue is its ability to retain quality after stockpiling. After frost, stockpiled fescue can be grazed as standing hay. Linda, yes, pellets are an acceptable substitute but watch the protein level. The short answer is GOOD hay. Never feed moldy hay to goats! As current users note, these systems are particularly useful during winter. If you are a goat owner, you have probably heard about Chaffhaye. I am not sure what Prarie grass is. The breeder that I purchased my three from suggested a good quality grass hay, and if I wanted to feed grain, Showgoat was a good choice. This plant is a good source of nutrition for them, providing essential vitamins and minerals. It shows that they care about the quality of their hay and your satisfaction. Alfalfa has the highest protein content out of any hay type in our list, so when you feed your goat alfalfa cubes make sure he or she doesnt have too much access to them since its bad for their blood glucose levels. Alfalfa is one of the few hays that contains enough protein to meet the needs of the lactating doe. I think most hay around here is timothy or a grass/timothy mix, orchard mix, mixed with clover, etc. As I said, alfalfa is a great source of protein for your goats. The hay doesn't have much alfalfa in it though. 1-87SWEETLIX (1-877-933-8549) However, alfalfa should always be fed to goats in moderation. Feeding alfalfa hay along with regular hay is the best way to follow. Of all the livestock animals, goats are the ones with the thinnest skin and fur coat. Another disadvantage of alfalfa hay is that the leaves (where the nutritional value is) can be easily lost if hay is too dry or improperly transported or stored. All goat owners out there should know that, because alfalfa is rich in proteins and calcium, it should only be fed to goats in certain situations. For a better experience, please enable JavaScript in your browser before proceeding. Therefore, any extra protein goats eat will ultimately be converted into urea and be excreted from their body in the form of urine. For more information, contact yourlocal SWEETLIXdealeror call1-87-SWEETLIXto speak with a SWEETLIXnutritionist. Prarie grass and Bermuda is what I have found . Mix things up a bit, and you are good to go. Grain in any significant quantity should probably be avoided, or at least carefully balanced against alfalfa. Per 100 pounds of body weight, a goat needs up to two pounds of chaffhaye. Well, actually any one of them can be. How come I keep hearing that alfalfa is bad for male goats? But for those few who have clover pastures or feed just alfalfa hay, they might need to watch out for an imbalance in the other direction. Contents show However, it is not enough to tend to all the nutritional needs of goats, so you will have to add more nutritious food to your goats' diet to balance the dietary requirements. Can goats eat too much alfalfa hay? I'm new to goats and need to buy hay for my goats for the winter. You can do either. So many questions! Not sure if anyone has experience with it. Yes, goats can eat alfalfa pellets. Since the digestion of alfalfa involves bacterial fermentation in their rumen, which releases heat, it can keep them warmer. Minerals are also a vital part of the day-to-day nutrition of a goat. . Grass hay is a good source of food because it includes a moderate amount of proteins. You also normally don't feed it to none lactating doe for the same reason in a way since they don't need the calcium or the extra carbs unless again they are working does or on their 4th month of pregnency ect. Grass hay ranges from 1:1 to 1.5:1. To avoid the risk of the pet developing stones, you should only purchase grain that also includes an ingredient called ammonium chloride. And make sure they always have access to clean water at all times! But once again, poorly fertilized or over-mature hay can contain much lower nutrient values while well fertilized hay that is properly harvested at the vegetative stage can deliver even higher nutritional values. Yes, too much alfalfa can also be bad for goats. I get a good grass hay for my girls and they do fine. Hay Treehugger / Dan Amos Hay is the main source of nutrients for goats apart from their range. For a better experience, please enable JavaScript in your browser before proceeding. Can Goats Eat Fruits: 95 Things Goats Can Eat And 60 They Cant, Do goats eat bell peppers? Did you know that alfalfa is one of the oldest crops that is solely cultivated for foraging purposes? | Disclaimer. There are roughly 100 different species of Fescue but the most cultivated species are Tall Fescue and Meadow Fescue. At first though our goats didn't like it. But they have pastures to browse in. Average Orchardgrass hay contains about 9-10% crude protein and 55% TDN on a dry matter basis. In this short article, we will try to find an answer to the question of whether goats can eat alfalfa hay. In fact, its a major source of nutrition for them, along with other types of grasses like orchard grass and timothy hay too. The Fora platform includes forum software by XenForo. Use caution when feeding cereal hay. Outdoor Hub, LLC (d/b/a Carbon Media Group), 30800 Telegraph Rd, Suite 1921, Bingham Farms, MI 48025 USA. Before you start feeding your pet goat too much grain mixes, you should remember that grain is very rich in fats. a lactating doe vs. a mature buck, etc.) Each type can be successfully fed with correct management. Grain runs 1:6 to 1:8, depending on the type of grain. My goats didn't eat the alfalfa hay. Hi, I am Elise McDonald, a wildlife blogger, and author. If you have any questions, be sure to leave a comment below. Still, if your goat has dental issues or if it is underweight, it is recommended that you feed it regularly, but only for a short period. I googled it. Alfalfa hay is also popular for feeding goats and has more protein, vitamins, and minerals than grass hays, typically. Ultimately, whether or not alfalfa is the right choice for your male goat will depend on a variety of different factors, so be sure to do your research and consult with a veterinarian before making a decision. Male goats can eat alfalfa. You can try Craig's list search for "hay for sale". Hay provides both nutrition and roughage or fiber, that assists kid goats in rumen development. A forum community dedicated to dairy goat owners and enthusiasts. they don't like the fine stemmed "horse" type hay, don't care for pure Bermuda nor do they like the coarse weed filled stuff that they sell for cows. This way you dont have to worry about what is or isnt in your feedstuffs because the supplement will provide what is necessary. Yes, goats can eat alfalfa cubes. Because goats are ruminants, they rely on pasture or hay to fulfill their basic dietary needs. This legume style hay boats a high protein, fiber, vitamin A and calcium percentage. Vicki. So, with reasonably careful portioning, your goat will not overeat. This choice is good for the digestive system of the pet because it is combined with bacteria cultures. Naturally, they get a lot of this from hay and grass, but alfalfa is also an excellent source of fiber. Do you know the type of hay you bought? I am getting conflicting information. They cannot have too much of the latter nutrient or it could lead to metabolic diseases such as urinary calculi which can cause kidney problems down the road if not treated early with antibiotics from your local veterinarian. When it comes to feeding male goats, there can be some concerns about the use of alfalfa. Come join the discussion about breeding, health, behavior, housing, adopting, care, classifieds, and more! Of course, the specific amount needed will vary based on factors such as the size and age of the goat, as well as environmental conditions like temperature and humidity levels. On the contrary, it will enhance the energy level of your goats. But generally speaking, providing male goats with enough alfalfa to meet this daily requirement will help ensure that they stay healthy and strong. This causes no medical concern, just an esthetic nuisance. #8. How do male goats benefit from eating alfalfa? Depending on your circumstances, you may or may not have access to storage for dried alfalfa. As weve discussed, alfalfa hay contains calcium and protein in abundance. I would make sure they eat their hay, and then give them a scoop of pellets. The primary cause of urinary calculi is excessive PHOSPHORUS in the calcium to phosphorus ratio. So, if you have 5 goats on your farm, you should give . What Is A Wether Goat? It has a deep taproot system with an average depth of 1.4 meters give or take, making it drought tolerant. I need some information on raising Nigerian Dwarf Goats! Can Goats Eat Alfalfa Pellets? (Helpful Human Answer! If you would like to read more articles concerning what goats can and can not eat, check out our search page, weve got a whole host of interesting facts about your favorite topic. It can cause digestive and respiratory problems, among other things. For example, alfalfa aids in their digestion and creates a hospitable environment for good gut bacteria. The Fora platform includes forum software by XenForo. Your goats should do well with this snack as long as you dont overfeed them. How long can my goat survive without food and water? It is essential. Once grown, bucks and wethers who are pets need little to no grain ever.bucks who are hard working of course need grain for calories and to build their bulk back up from rut. Male goats that consume alfalfa see not only an increase in physical benefits but also sexual ones. Or should I buy two buckets? Similarly, alfalfa sprouts are also known for their high calcium content which could be good for goats because this helps in improving bone health and preventing osteoporosis. This can reduce the levels of pesticides and chemicals present in the feed, lessening the risk to your goats. Obviously, one disadvantage of this forage is that it must be reseeded often, which can become expensive. they had city water. Cereal hay with seed heads must be fed with care to avoid bloat and urinary calculi. In fact, some vets argue that alfalfa is the only kind of hay that can provide lactating does with the necessary amount of proteins. Alfalfa hay is a popular type of hay fed to goats. As they say, there is no free lunch even for goats! It is vital that your goats have access to a source of water at all times. For most of us who feed grains, the addition of alfalfa or crushed limestone would be helpful, if not necessary, to provide the necessary balance. This way you can eliminate water waste. Kids get one scoop. Because goats have thin skin and because they do not develop thick coats during the cold season, quality nutrition is essential. You could make a hay rack or use a laundry basket or something. Making Lemonade [Selective Culling Project - very long term], Making the coop/run area pretty - show me what youve done, Coop & Run - Design, Construction, & Maintenance, The Moonshiner's Bootleg Incubator Reviews And Discussions, I Cant Get No Satisfaction July Adopt-an-Egg Hatch-a-Long . The best system that you can implement to make sure that your goats are healthy is to alternate between two pastures. The bucks all get meat goat pellets that contain AC in them and calf manna. And ranges from like $4 to $7 a bale. However, there is a heads up for you: Dont overfeed alfalfa to your goats as it has a high range of nutrients, which in excess can cause health problems. In other words, the dry does (the ones that arent pregnant or lactating), and the bucks (that are perfectly healthy) have no use for these nutrients in excess. So, there are no shortage of health benefits to alfalfa. Of course, in exceptional cases, it MAY be more economical to import hay. Generally speaking, alfalfa is not bad for goats. What should you know before feeding your goats this hay? What are your hay options? So it would seem that some alfalfa is a good thing, and would help to balance the heavy phosphorous in grass. In another thread it was said that it is the phosphorous that causes the urinary stone problem so alfalfa with it's calcium is fine. Ryegrass is high-quality forage with excellent palatability that works extremely well for goats in rotational grazing systems. The palatability of orchardgrass is good and goats readily consume it. You must log in or register to reply here. My bucks get alfalfa pellets with alfalfa/orchard hay. Additionally, if you have other livestock like cows or sheep on your property, it may be beneficial to stagger-feed your male goats so that all herds can benefit from nutrient-rich alfalfa at various times throughout the year. Can Rottweilers Drink Goat Milk? Luckily, all of these tests arent necessary for proper nutrition of the average goat, so dont beat yourself up if you dont do them. It's just fermented alfalfa. Ideally, it should be made up of small pellets that are grown at a local farm rather than large pieces that have been frozen and shipped from a different location. There are several management options to minimize the negative effects of the fescue endophyte including use of low-endophyte fescue varieties; establishment of other forages (commonly clover) in pastures and hay fields to dilute the amount of endophyte consumed; adequate parasite control measures and finally nutritional supplementation. Some advantages of fescue are that it is relatively easy to establish and maintain and that it is well suited to wet-natured, organic soils and moderate environmental conditions found in much of the United States. Heres everything you need to know, What is the purpose of goats with beards? In every case, no matter how good your hay is, a supplement will be necessary. It is not advisable to feed your goats too much alfalfa as it has a high level of protein and minerals compared to regular hay. Alfalfa can be bad for male goats if you feed a lot it can cause urinary issues. There's a lot of conflicting information about feeding alfalfa to goats. In this article, we will learn about the nutritional value of alfalfa, its health benefits for goats, the forms in which goats can consume it safely, and more. Some of you might not know this but calcium, when it enters your pets body, has a tendency of binding with zinc. Average ryegrass hay contains about 8-9% crude protein and about 60% TDN on a dry matter basis. In other words, energy is being directed away from useful bodily tasks. Choosing which type is best for your operation will vary according to individual circumstances. Goats do best when given fresh water every day along with an ample supply of food at all times throughout the year no matter what season it is outside because they dont go into hibernation like other animals during the winter months. While the rabies vaccine can be somewhat hard on the animals, the other ones are not. I just bought 1 bale to try luckily. Hay is sold as first, second, or third cutting. We hope that you found our article useful! It looks like most have good reviews about it. Trish it's the never ending battle with your goats, nutrition, and just about the time you think you have it licked, we learn about copper, or your feed mill changes hands and they now use fish and feather meal or or or. (Health Benefits/Risks), Norwegian Lundehund: What You Need To Know. To not interfere with this process, it is advisable that you do not make drastic changes to the diet of your goad. However, hybrid varieties of bermudagrass must be sprigged rather than seeded. JavaScript is disabled. But alfalfa is very rich in calcium, so when fed to male goats, it will react with zinc. A single goat requires three to four percent of its bodyweight of hay every day to remain healthy. Many reputable hay producers will gladly provide copies of forage analysis reports. They can also eat alfalfa leaves, which are a good source of fiber. If you simply give your goat a trough filled with alfalfa (pellets especially), it may overeat, and this can cause diarrhea among other issues. I'm just using it for my chickens nesting boxes so it's not wasted . To avoid bloating, it is best that you avoid putting your goat on a pasture that is both wet and rich in alfalfa or clover. I am learning so much on here and really appreciate this website. Breeding bucks during rut when they are breeding does can have it or pack wethers ect. Just portion it up and you can even mix it in with regular hay. Larsen Poultry Ranch - homesteading journey, Ridgetop - our place and how we muddle along. Since these cubes come from plants, dont be surprised if there ends up being some clumps in the bag but definitely not moldy ones! A great source of Calcium for the growing kids. It allows them to highlight the quality of their hay. If so you could just pick some fresh weeds/grass everyday for them for an extra healthy treat. Additionally, you will also need to take into account your goats individual nutritional needsas well as any health conditions that they may have. Alfalfa should be introduced into the diet of a pregnant doe gradually because any sudden changes can lead to serious health problems. While this plant is generally considered healthy and nutritious for these animals, it may have some negative effects on their reproductive system. Moreover, feeding alfalfa to goats in winters can keep them warm. Vets point out that this type of hay should be given to pregnant, sick or debilitated animals. OH there is so much to learn. If there is an abundance of tasty alfalfa feed available then its likely that your goat will focus on eating this first rather than less popular items like/such as grass or hay . A question that many people have is, can goats eat alfalfa hay? Each doe now eats around 2 to 3 pounds a day, sometimes less. 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can goats eat alfalfa hay
