can goats eat alfalfa hay

You may hear of types such as timothy hay, orchard grass, canary . This legume style hay boats a high protein, fiber, vitamin A and calcium percentage. They can also eat alfalfa leaves, which are a good source of fiber. Mineral Composition of Uroliths Obtained from Sheep and Goats with Obstructive Urolithiasis. But, as with other types of insurance, you get what you pay for. Too much grain or pellets can cause a number of problems, and alfalfa is no exception to this rule. 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. Sep 2, 2010 I am getting conflicting information. If you simply give your goat a trough filled with alfalfa (pellets especially), it may overeat, and this can cause diarrhea among other issues. The mix is costing me $13.50-14/small bale. A lot of people are curious about the nutritional value of alfalfa and whether or not male goats can eat it. The best system that you can implement to make sure that your goats are healthy is to alternate between two pastures. goatsauthority.com may be compensated when users click on links and sign-up with their associated offers located in content or anywhere else on the page. This way, the pastures can regenerate and you can also avoid having to deal with parasite problems. Where it is beneficial for goats health, it can also be detrimental if fed in excess. Leaving the rest, roughly 1/2 the bale. It's just fermented alfalfa. It can cause digestive and respiratory problems, among other things. I bought a bale from a local feed store and the goats won't eat it . Feed alfalfa to your goat along with some regular hay. My bucks get alfalfa pellets with alfalfa/orchard hay. Pregnant and young goats should be fed with it as their protein and energy requirements are higher than those of a normal goat. And make sure they always have access to clean water at all times! So the eating quantity will be approximately 4 pounds by does in winter and rainy seasons whereas the bucks eat 2 pounds per day. 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. Most grains are usually high in phosphorus and, if consumed in abundance, can make your pets calcium deficit. The ideal calciumhosphorus ratio is 2:1 or higher. Male goats are known for their high energy levels and voracious appetites, and they need a nourishing diet in order to thrive. This plant is a good source of nutrition for them, providing essential vitamins and minerals. Feeding alfalfa hay along with regular hay is the best way to follow. So, with reasonably careful portioning, your goat will not overeat. Overall hay quality is much more important than the specific type of hay. As such, while feeding alfalfa to male goats may be perfectly safe in small amounts, it is important to be aware of any potential risks associated with this practice and take appropriate precautions as needed. Since these cubes come from plants, dont be surprised if there ends up being some clumps in the bag but definitely not moldy ones! Did you know that alfalfa is one of the oldest crops that is solely cultivated for foraging purposes? Alfalfa is ALWAYS my first choice for production, health and palatability. If the hay producer you deal with has not forage tested in the past, you can offer to split the cost of testing on the hay you are interested in purchasing. You can contact your local Cooperative Extension, NRCS, or Dept of Agriculture representative or your local feed store for a list of local hay producers. If youre wondering whether or not can these seeds be fed to your goats, the answer is: yes but in moderation. The answer to this question is not clear-cut, as the best time for feeding alfalfa to male goats will depend on various different factors. Can goats eat alfalfa cubes? Knowledge of the mineral composition of the causative urolith is important to develop preventative strategies. Be prepared to pay a bit more for good to excellent quality hay as opposed to take it as-is hay. In this short article, we will try to find an answer to the question of whether goats can eat alfalfa hay. they had city water. Think of mineral/vitamin supplementation as insurance. Instead, you should focus on introducing new foods gradually. But I cant get good alfalfa hay so use pellets. The information on this website should not be take as a substitute for professional advice. So, it might be a good idea to go online and read more on this topic. And kids, when theyre growing up, can benefit from a high-calcium intake. Alfalfa isnt just healthy for male goats it comes with a plethora of benefits. This website is reader-supported. Goats are herbivores and can eat a variety of plants. Gama, brome, native bluestems, Indian grass, switchgrass etc. Still, every four to six weeks you have to trim their hooves. Vets point out that this type of hay should be given to pregnant, sick or debilitated animals. Please help clear this up. 104 Things Goats Can Eat and 62 They Cannot [+ Printable Checklist] So, goats unfamiliar with alfalfa pellets might overeat, since the nutrient density is much higher than they might realize. This allows their bodies to easily digest and assimilate the rich nutrients contained in the alfalfa, helping them to maintain optimal health and vitality throughout the growing season. There are several different types of ryegrass. You will avoid overfeeding alfalfa hay to your goats, and meanwhile, you will get all the health benefits alfalfa hay has to offer. To make sure that you vaccinate your animals at the correct time, it is essential that you keep in contact with the local vet. The timothy and orchard are the most popular hay pellets for goats. Most species of fescue contain a symbiotic parasitic fungus called an endophyte. As with all hay, nutritional content varies widely according to management and harvesting conditions and can be higher or lower than these figures. If we were ever to lose our hay source I would be seriously be looking into pellet feeders. If your pet goat is a full-grown adult, you should leave them to roam and graze freely and provide them with concentrated feed once a day. However, hoof trimming is not very challenging. Minerals are also a vital part of the day-to-day nutrition of a goat. For one, alfalfa commonly contains pesticides and other chemicals that can have negative effects on the animals health. Are there any risks associated with feeding alfalfa to male goats? Another disadvantage is that bermudagrass has a high fertilization requirement. You are using an out of date browser. Many report that their goats diet is mainly alfalfa hay, and that they are healthy if a little on the heavy side. Any thoughts? Alfalfa is believed to act as a buffer to this acidity, due to the high levels of proteins and minerals. 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. Furthermore, alfalfa has been shown to support digestive health in male goats by boosting gut function and helping with nutrient absorption. This makes weighing and portioning it easier, and it also means less will get wasted. Can goats eat alfalfa sprouts? In this article, we will explore whether goats can eat alfalfa, the benefits and risks of feeding alfalfa to goats, factors to consider when feeding alfalfa to goats. Begin by feeding them the hay in small amounts, and increase it gradually. There are many different species of grasses and legumes out there that are regularly harvested as hay. (Health Benefits/Risks), Can Goats Eat Acorns? Yes, goats can eat timothy hay. However, strategic rotational grazing can help alleviate this disadvantage. Question about CDT shot for newborn goat kids. It would be best if you add alfalfa to your goats' diet gradually. Also, in non-grazing areas where enough pasture is not available, goat keepers can absolutely rely on alfalfa as a nutrition source for their goats. For a better experience, please enable JavaScript in your browser before proceeding. Can Male Goats Eat Alfalfa? (Benefits, Hazards & Serving Size) 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. I have heard it can make the weathers have kidney stones. Unlike fat or carbs, protein cannot be stored in their body for later use. Per 100 pounds of body weight, a goat needs up to two pounds of chaffhaye. However, excess of anything is wrong. Specifically, high levels of alfalfa in the diet have been shown to contain phytoestrogens, which are compounds similar to estrogen in humans. Generally speaking, however, it is best to feed alfalfa to male goats during the spring and summer months when temperatures are mild and vegetation growth is high. As I emphasized earlier in this article, the nutritional quality of the hay is more important that the actual type of hay. What Can Baby Goats Eat? Is Hay ok? Grain? - Best Farm Animals This plant is a good source of nutrition for them, providing essential vitamins and minerals. Each doe now eats around 2 to 3 pounds a day, sometimes less. How Much Alfalfa Pellets Should I Feed My Goats? We also share information about your use of our site with our social media, advertising and analytics partners. In fact, alfalfa is often used as a supplement in goat feed. Another thing several people have said is that they feed more grain during a cold snap to help keep the goats warm, when, from what I understand, it is more roughage that will help them keep warm. Always ask for a forage test analysis on hay prior to purchase. Average fescue hay typically contains 8-9% crude protein and 55-60% TDN on a dry matter basis. Any thoughts? Feeding grass hay to wethers makes it much more likely they'll end up with stones. So many think (maybe because it's in pellet form) that alfalfa takes the place of grain. The grass hay pellets are more suitable for bucks and kids at an early age. I've heard of meat breeders that feed it. All rights reserved. Yes, too much alfalfa can also be bad for goats. These purple flowers of the alfalfa plants are later converted into fruits, and every single fruit consists of roughly 10-20 seeds. I cried because I had no shoes, until I saw a man who had no feet. I have heard it can make the weathers have kidney stones. However, alfalfa should always be fed to goats in moderation. For a better experience, please enable JavaScript in your browser before proceeding. As evident from the table given above, alfalfa hay is also a great source of calcium. Also, if it is overgrazed (leaving less than 3-4 inch stubble), root depletion is common and kill off can occur. And while there are instances when goats can benefit from the extra amount of these nutrients, is it okay to feed them these all the time? What are the benefits of alfalfa for goats? Nutritional supplements come in all shapes and sizes and range from natural feedstuffs known to be relatively high in protein or energy such as soybean meal or corn, to commercially produced minerals, tubs, blocks or pellets. At first though our goats didn't like it. Alfalfa should be portioned carefully when giving it to your goats, and should be fed alongside grass hay. Bermudagrass is a fast growing, hearty species of warm-season perennial grass found extensively in the Southeast. Alfalfa is thought to be the only kind of hay that can provide enough nutrients to pregnant doe to maintain their health. It would be best if you add alfalfa to your goats diet gradually. For example, alfalfa aids in their digestion and creates a hospitable environment for good gut bacteria. Goats have a far smaller mouth than horses or cattle, and even sheep if you are keeping miniature breeds. Additionally, the percentage of alfalfa pellets in the goat's daily hay intake shouldn't be greater than 50%. Goat Owner also participates in affiliate programs with other sites. Even during the winters, you will not notice a drastic change in the length or density of their body hair. 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. Male goats can eat alfalfa. A forum community dedicated to dairy goat owners and enthusiasts. Urinary calculi comes from too much phosphorus and not enough calcium in the total diet. Both are high yielding, broad-leafed perennial bunchgrasses. However, if you feed them grains and alfalfa hay, its high calcium content will help keep their diet balanced. I thought it would put me in the poor house, but they did back off. Since sprigging is best accomplished by professionals, establishment of hybrid bermudagrass fields can be relatively expensive. Hay quality and the nutritional needs of your goats (i.e. Alfalfa runs around 5:1. Lastly, high-quality alfalfa could also potentially lead to the painful condition of frothy bloat in goats. While the rabies vaccine can be somewhat hard on the animals, the other ones are not. French and American Alpines, Purebred Nubians -. The answer to this question is yes. A vet! Ok - can someone explain this to me SLOWLY. 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. What is the Best Hay for Goats? - Backyard Goats Grass hay ranges from 1:1 to 1.5:1. Do you have a garden or somewhere where you can get weeds/grass? Can You Do Oral And Injection Of Ivermectin At The Same Time In Goats? What are your hay options? Ultimately, when youre deciding on a feeding schedule for your male goats, its important to keep their individual needs and health in mind at all times. This means that if your pets are consuming more calcium than zinc, it could lead to zinc deficiency, which could lead to several health problems like: The deficiency of Zinc is more brutal for the bucks than the does. Feeding Pygmy Goats - Goats and Nutrition - GoatWorld.Com The best bet with your goat is always to try and give it as much variety as it needs while providing all its essential nutrition, and alfalfa is a great addition to your goat's diet. 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. Thank you everyone for your help . The cheapest option isnt always the best option. Come join the discussion about breeding, health, behavior, housing, adopting, care, classifieds, and more! There are always caveats when it comes to dietary questions, and alfalfa is no exception. Can Goats Eat Alfalfa Pellets? (The Risks!) - Pet Food Fuss This way you dont have to worry about what is or isnt in your feedstuffs because the supplement will provide what is necessary. Hay pellets for goats - Life of farmers Here we will tell you what alfalfa is, how much to feed alfalfa and when to feed it to your goats in order to keep them happy and healthy. And the only way to accurately determine nutritional quality is through a forage analysis test. Alfalfa runs around 5:1. | Disclaimer. Hi, I am Elise McDonald, a wildlife blogger, and author. As livestock fodder, alfalfa is fed to the goats and horses, sheep, rabbits, cows, and buffaloes. Annual (Italian) ryegrass is a popular variety in the Southeast. If youve owned a goat for some time, you probably know that their eyes are often bigger than their stomachs. Alfalfa should be introduced into the diet of a pregnant doe gradually because any sudden changes can lead to serious health problems. In general, male goats require about 1-2% of their body weight in alfalfa per day. But in taking care of them longterm you should use ammonium chloride. Goats are herbivores and can eat a variety of plants. As current users note, these systems are particularly useful during winter. If the goats eat them too much, sometimes they get bloated, and get stomach pain. Larsen Poultry Ranch - homesteading journey, Ridgetop - our place and how we muddle along. However, this does not mean that goats cannot eat alfalfa in general. Generally speaking, alfalfa is not bad for goats. So thats why people say its bad. good luck, I hope you find what you need. JavaScript is disabled. So, if you own a goat, or if you are just interested in the subject, be sure to keep on reading. When feeding alfalfa to your male goat, its important to consider factors such as the quality of the feed, the size of the pellets, and the time of year. Typical fodder can not provide enough energy, so in those circumstances, alfalfa comes in very handy. I get a good grass hay for my girls and they do fine. Mine love fruit and veggies as well as leaves, weeds and hay. So, introduce them slowly to the alfalfa so that their digestive systems can get used to it. They may take time to get used to new stuff but mine even eat pumpkin now. Hay is the preferred food for goats. So, you may need to feed one to one, and a half-pound of alfalfa pellets to your young growing goat and two to three pounds of alfalfa pellets to your lactating does. This way, you can prevent the bloating of your goats. Alfalfa can be excellent fodder for goats. Usually lower in nutrition than the improved grasses, but hey, they're 100% natural and organic, GMO free, endophyte free and naturally, 'free ranging' so they can't be too bad. At birth, 15%, or less, of a baby goat's diet should be hay. According to specialists, these animals need at least eight hours of grazing each day. Yes, goats can eat alfalfa timothy hay. 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. Feeding Alfalfa To Bucks | Dairy Goat Info Forums I learn alot from this thead,and Have changed my ways. This way, it will not mess with your goats health. No, it is not possible for ruminants such as goats to totally live on alfalfa hay. This causes no medical concern, just an esthetic nuisance. The method to feed alfalfa is to feed 2-4 pounds of alfalfa hay per goat per day. In addition, you will also need to pay attention to the size and source of the alfalfa product. Fescue has adequate palatability and is a nutritious forage option that can be successfully used in goat operations. I think I get the Ca/P stuff but I don't get the feed stuff. 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. There are roughly 100 different species of Fescue but the most cultivated species are Tall Fescue and Meadow Fescue. And if so, what are the things you need to consider? Works pretty well. The fescue endopyhte is known to interfere with blood flow and heat regulation in the animal. Since alfalfa is relatively high in calcium and low in phosphorus, one must be more mindful of the calcium to phosphorus ratio in the total diet. Goats, being ruminants, thrive on forages. This is true because a byproduct of bacterial fermentation is heat. It is commonly advised against feeding grains or processed goat feed because it can cause urinary stones. Due to its high protein and moisture content, it is common for goats to experience loose stools when grazing lush ryegrass. No. There are several factors to consider before feeding alfalfa to your male goat. If you can find a good quality grass hay I would feed that before alfalfa. Alfalfa is too expensive to use for bedding. Grass Hay vs. Alfalfa . I don't have wethers, unless used as pack animals, and a doe can do this anyway, wethers like steers should be in the freezer. The best practice would be to mix things up a bit. Also should I move the alfalfa out of their reach? And when lactation starts, the goats requirement of protein becomes twice. Goats need a balanced diet in order to stay healthy, and adding alpha hay can help achieve this balance. An advantage of bermudagrass is that it is relatively easy to establish and maintain. If male goats eat too much alfalfa, they can develop nutrient deficiencies that will hurt their health and wellbeing. It requires well-drained soils with a low water table. As when pregnancy kicks in, it is crucial to maintain the energy level of the goat. It shows that they care about the quality of their hay and your satisfaction. JavaScript is disabled. In every case, no matter how good your hay is, a supplement will be necessary. With out humidity I can not use a hog feeder or other self feeder, so just put out as much as they will clean up twice a day. 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 . Unless a goat is in the initial stage of their lives, is pregnant, or lactating, theres no point in adding extra nutrients to its diet. Goats can consume and make good use of pastures and of hay. Alfalfa has an excellent nutritive value as a diet for goats, so yes, goats can eat alfalfa without any severe consequences in general. 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. A large part of their diet should come from their own foraging and browsing, and its important to keep that in mind when planning their diet. 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. Alfalfa hay is also popular for feeding goats and has more protein, vitamins, and minerals than grass hays, typically. Use caution when feeding cereal hay. Grass hay may contain a blend of different grasses. Remember if you are feeding goats good quality hay (i.e., not moldy or dusty) then dont worry too much about what else goes into their diet. For more information, contact yourlocal SWEETLIXdealeror call1-87-SWEETLIXto speak with a SWEETLIXnutritionist. Hay fields or pastures that are not regularly fertilized and/or limed produce poor yields and contain low nutrient content. I would make sure they eat their hay, and then give them a scoop of pellets. It's still early !! Do keep in mind that some toxic . The goats LOVE it. You are using an out of date browser. Alfalfa, if fed along with hay, constitutes a perfect balanced diet for your goats. Another advantage of orchardgrass is its potential for high yields when well fertilized. This nutrient-rich plant provides a number of essential nutrients, such as protein and fiber, which help support the health of muscles, bones, and other bodily systems. Average Orchardgrass hay contains about 9-10% crude protein and 55% TDN on a dry matter basis. Luckily, all of these tests arent necessary for proper nutrition of the average goat, so dont beat yourself up if you dont do them. If you keep your goats and your sheep together, it is advisable that you invest in minerals that are suitable for both species. They only eat the fine stem and leaf. Let me get this rightfor wethers. These tests can be performed by the state-run forage lab or through a privately owned lab. Therefore, feeding your pets correctly can keep them warm from the inside out. In other words, energy is being directed away from useful bodily tasks. Can Goats Eat Alfalfa Hay? But they have pastures to browse in. You can also buy a goat feeder trough for the goats. a lactating doe vs. a mature buck, etc.) Of all the livestock animals, goats are the ones with the thinnest skin and fur coat. In cases of extreme over-feeding of protein, kidney damage can occur. Obviously, one disadvantage of this forage is that it must be reseeded often, which can become expensive. Here's a good article explaining how too much of anything can be bad. Alfalfa is one of the few hays that contains enough protein to meet the needs of the lactating doe. However, it is important to note that alpha hay should not be the only thing that goats are eating. The primary cause of urinary calculi is excessive PHOSPHORUS in the calcium to phosphorus ratio. Alfalfa is used . Alfalfa is also extremely high in protein, which boosts milk production and strengthens bones. hi Teresa, I live a couple of hours to your east near Ft. Smith and raise dairy goats and hair sheep. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. I use the pellets with some molasses to give them their herbal dewormer and feed coastal hay now. Is alfalfa good or not so good for Alpine dairy goats. Our bucks never get anything but alfalfa hay and pasture. Some important considerations include the specific breed of goat, the current nutritional needs of the animal, and local weather conditions. 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. Okay then should I just put a few scoops in the bucket? What Is A Wether Goat? I am not sure what Prarie grass is. I had nowhere the results with 14% pellets (that were quite dusty) like I do with 17% protein alfalfa pellets from a different supplies. Although it can be used for all goat types, it is especially good for breeding and milk-producing does (female goats). Remember Alfalfa is a complete ratio so when fed alone with grass hay you don't have the problems that you do when feeding grain. This fungus affords the fescue plant much of its resilience and adaptability.

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