If fed exclusively, alfalfa in any form can be bad for goats.
Pellet form would make a lot more sense, but are alfalfa pellets bad for goats? Are Alfalfa Pellets Bad for Goats? More bale got trodden into the ground than consumed, making it expensive and futile. Harvested too late, it will be too stalky for a goat’s tiny mouth and more troublesome to digest.Ĭombining elements of both the above will keep your goats in excellent health.Īlthough we were feeding our lactating does some alfalfa, we found it was too dusty and fell apart too readily.
Should a goat hay feeder be inside or out free#
Good-quality grass hay is both nutritional and digestible.Īs long as it’s free of dust and mold and harvests early, it makes an excellent fodder. Timothy, brome, orchard grass, and bluegrass are all types of grass hay. These are ideal for a pregnant and lactating doe and to give an under-nourished goat an energy boost, but they contain too much calcium and protein for the average adult goat. They contain more of the nutrients goats need to stay healthy. Legume hays like alfalfa, vetch, and clover, have a higher protein content. My goats aren’t that keen, and while they’ll nibble away at the oats, they’ll leave the stalks untouched. Not all hay is grass, after all, and you do get some types of cereal grain straw, as well as grass and legume hay.Ĭereal grain straw is more nutritious than the straw we use for bedding because, during harvest, the farmers leave the grain seeds still intact. However, there are different types of hay! That is probably where the confusion about straw comes from – the mix between hay and straw throws off even skillful farmers. Hay is harvested and baled with the leaves and grains still attached, whereas straw is merely the collection of stalks left over after the grain harvesting.Īs a result, it has almost no nutritional benefits, which is why goats generally prefer sleeping on it rather than eating it. You may even find yourself wondering, is straw or hay better for goats? Good-quality straw looks like hay and smells strangely appealing to humans, but goats know better. With hay prices soaring, it’s tempting to look for cheaper alternatives. Many homesteaders buy Timothy hay for the main herd and alfalfa for their lactating does, who benefit from its higher protein and calcium content. The actual type of grass doesn’t matter too much as long as it’s not too coarse for their tiny mouths. Goats need good-quality grass hay that’s free from debris and mold. Time for some fresh hay! What Is the Best Hay for Goats? Look at these adorable Dutch hybrid goats! I think they’re looking for lunch.
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