Table of Contents
What is the best type of hay for goats?
Alfalfa hay is also popular for feeding goats and has more protein, vitamins, and minerals than grass hays, typically. It can be a good choice for feeding milking goats as it has more protein, energy and calcium.
How many bales of hay does a goat need?
One rule of thumb says 1 square bale per goat per week. Again, there are a lot of factors, but if you have absolutely no idea how much hay you need, start there and keep track. I’ve said it before, write it all down, because you will forget how many bales you had and how long they lasted.
What hay gives goats?
When keeping domestic goats, hay is essential for two reasons: It provides both nutrition and dry roughage to balance the moisture and fiber content in the rumen. I often hear the terms “hay” and “straw” used interchangeably, and I cringe.
Can goats live on hay alone?
Grain – (0-10% of their diet) – Goats don’t need grain to survive, in fact, they can live happily on pasture or hay, or a combination of both.
Are goats picky about hay?
Their diet consists mainly of timothy grass hay with a bit of alfalfa. “They are super picky about eating any grass that falls on the ground,” Snowbird said. Instead of timothy, they typically feast on a blend of orchard hay with a little alfalfa. “My goats would rather starve,” she said, “than eat timothy hay.”Apr 14, 2015.
Do goats need hay in summer?
Goats need the extra nutrition that comes from feeding hay. They get a good deal of protein and energy from hay, especially in the winter months. You will use less hay in the summer than you do in the winter months if your goats have access to pasture and a lot of forage.
Do goats need hay in the winter?
During the winter, goats need more energy to help maintain body temperature. They will also need roughage which can be supplied in grass, alfalfa, or mixed hay. Alfalfa hay can be a great source of both energy and protein, although care should be taken when feeding bucks and wethers because of urinary calculi.
Do goats need hay at night?
In winter months, goats should always have hay available to them in their shelter. On cold nights they will munch on their hay throughout the night and generate their own heat to stay warm. Salt is another important aspect to a goat’s diet, especially for wethers (neutered males).
Can goats have moldy hay?
Do NOT ever feed wet or moldy hay or grain to goats. Wet grain must be thrown out, but wet bales of hay can be broken and aired out until thoroughly dry, then used as goat feed . . . . IF the bales are lightly wet and all mold and mildew has disappeared.
What should you not feed goats?
But, just like other animals, goats shouldn’t consume things like garlic, onion, chocolate or any source of caffeine, to name a few. Although most goats wouldn’t eat leftover meat scraps, they shouldn’t be offered them either. Citrus fruits should also be avoided, as they can really upset the rumen.
How many goats can you have per acre?
How Many Goats Per Acre? Goats are similar to sheep in that you can support about six to eight goats on an acre of land. Because goats are browsers, not grazers, it will be important that the land you have will supply them with the sort of forage they like to eat—see below.
Can goats eat first cut hay?
Since most goats prefer the second cut to first cut hay this will encourage them to eat more and help them to establish a better weight. 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.
Do goats need hay if they free range?
When you free range your goats, you don’t bother to stake, tether, fence, or confine them in any way. You just let them do their thing. Goats primarily eat things like pasture, hay, and grass. If you don’t free range your goats, you may find that you end up spending a ton of money just to keep them fed.
Will goats eat grass?
Goats like variety. Even if they do nibble some grass along with their favorite weeds and brush, they also need a good high-nutrition food source like alfalfa hay.
Do goats need baking soda?
Baking soda can be a useful addition to your goat’s diet. It can aid in digestion issues and help to prevent bloat, a sometimes deadly condition caused by overeating or eating the wrong food. Goats are notorious escape artists and can be extremely cunning.
Is it okay if goats eat straw?
Depending on the quality of these, a goat may need nothing more. When feeding hay as a primary feed, nutritional analysis is critical to the health of your herd. Many people have unknowingly starved their animals by offering what appeared to be hay for goats but had the nutritional value of straw.
Are alfalfa pellets good for goats?
Goats need some long-stemmed hay, every day, to keep their rumen functioning at its best. When goats chew, they produce bicarbonate. It is simply ground up hay. Keep in mind that just as with baled hay, you should only feed alfalfa pellets to milkers, does in late pregnancy and fast-growing kids.
What bedding is best for goats?
Pine Shavings This is the most widely used and accepted form of primary goat bedding material. Pine shavings are absorbent, easy to manage, and cost effective. It’s easy to spot clean wet areas daily, and soiled pine shavings can be added right to the compost pile.
