This varies depending on the maturity of the hay or alfalfa and the way that its cured and stored. Depending on the quality of these, a goat may need nothing more. We are enrolled in the Amazon Associates program, so we may earn a commission if you purchase something from Amazon after clicking one of our links. This agricultural grade substance can be sprinkled over livestock grain rations or stirred into the grain feed storage tub to be fed as a supplement to the goat herd. Diatomaceous Earth is a natural toxin remover and deworming agent that may help prevent parasites and bacteria from harming the health of your livestock. They're dairy goats so don't bulk up like meat goats. Although your goats may not find it as tasty as other grasses. Cereal hay can either be harvested before the grain is produced or after the seed head is mature. Your email address will not be published. This style of hay is a nice mix of essential nutrients, but it also has a lower protein percentage than alfalfa hay. Also, sheep mineral blocks do not typically contain copper, which is a superb supplement for goats. Bales should be free of debris. Immature grass hay or leafy alfalfa is usually the best feed for sheep. Very coarse hay or forage is not readily digestible by goats, so they prefer not to eat them. The rumen is the first stomach compartment (rich in live … No hay is perfect, which is why nutritional analysis is critical. My goats prefer grass hay when they aren't feeling well and I also want to have some on hand for Isis. Farmers that test will mention test results in their ads. Beautiful Timothy hay from Standlee's Hay Company. This type of hay is good for pregnant and lactating goats since their … Legume hay typically has the highest digestible energy, as the leaves do not change as the plant grows. Legume hays, such as clover and alfalfa, usually have more protein, vitamins, and minerals, particularly calcium, than grass hays. Goat Mineral Guide. For Morgan Filly and Goat … Most farmers will allow you to purchase a sample bale before committing to tonnage. Good hay should bend easily; if it snaps, it has high fiber and low digestibility. A cereal or oat type of hay is lower in protein than either alfalfa or orchard grass hay but is comprised of a higher carbohydrate and fiber percentage. Alfalfa hay is comprised of roughly 15% to 22% crude protein, and 32% crude fiber. You should assume any link is an affiliate link. Sweet mixed that have a high percentage of molasses should only be given (if at all) in incredibly small amounts or to pregnant and nursing nanny goats to give them a calorie boosts. I am … Yes, goats can eat timothy hay. The chips from the core sample represent a wider geographic area and give the average of the crop on the field. If not properly harvested, there is a risk of nitrate poisoning. Testing only a handful, a flake, or bale is not representative of the hay crop. Grain feed should be only a small part – if at all, of the goat’s diet. Orchard – This style of hay is lower in protein than alfalfa hay but boasts a higher percentage of fiber. Cereal grain hay is comprised of 9% crude protein, and also has a significant manganeses, zinc, and phosphorus content. The cost savings from eliminating the need for supplementation would more than pay for the test and result in fewer health care costs and better performance of the herd. Hay is the main source of nutrients for goats in non-grazing seasons, or all the time if they dont have access to browse. Premium Timothy Grass Compressed Bales are formed by allowing Standlee Premium Western Forage to grow to the proper stage of maturity, cutting the plants, allowing them to sun-cure (dry) to an … It has less weeds, is finer-stemmed, fertilized, and grown during the optimal growing season. Goats require additional hay, which is roughage, for their rumen to function properly. Never put goats on a very rich clover or alfalfa pasture that is wet with rain or dew because this can cause bloat. In this analysis, all of the copper is bound, which indicates a need for supplementation. When a goat is starting to bloat or is bloated, it typically gravitates to the baking soda to help alleviate the increase in gas buildup. However, it is not enough to tend to all… Food that is fed from the ground is far more likely to be subjected to soil bacteria, manure, and any worms that may be present in the goat droppings. I fed/feed all my Lamancha goats the same thing, bred, after kidding, year round. To keep the ruminant stomach chamber healthy and fully functional, a goat must eat enough roughage and avoid ingesting too much rich grain feed. Hay is sold as first, second, or third cutting. I am also buying some local grass hay this week. The goats should first have a healthy food that will foster proper rumen function in their bellies, and not gobble down a snack or even grain ration, before their base healthy dietary meal. Chaffhaye can be fed as a hay alternative, with more nutrient density than hay. The hay ferments in the container, adding beneficial bacteria for the goats' rumens. Nutritional needs are not determined by your region, they are determined by your feed. The ratio of calcium to phosphorus is critical to urinary calculi prevention in bucks and wethers. her homesteading skills are unmatched, she raises chickens, goats, horses, a wide variety of vegetables, not to mention she’s an expert is all sorts of homesteading skills such as hide tanning, doll making, tree tapping and many, many more. If hay is rained on and redried or overcured, it will be yellow or brown throughout. We have a small utility … Extension offices can direct you to analysts or labs that offer testing. Safe Treats for Goats… Protein/energy malnutrition and vitamin deficiencies from poor quality feed lead to a host of disease states. In alfalfa fields, the use of molybdenum can alter the color, making the hay greener. The quality and type of the hay provided to the goat herd matters a great deal from a rumen health and nutrient intake perspective. The leaves of grasses change as the plant matures, making grass hays more digestible when the plant is fine-stemmed and immature. Beyond fiber level and protein, analysis gives mineral data. This legume style hay boats a high protein, fiber, vitamin A and calcium percentage. Many newbie goat keepers give salted crackers or bits of bread to their goats. Think of it as … Beyond visual analysis is palatability. Late season cuttings have the highest leaf to stem ratio. A mineral block for livestock works basically like a vitamin for human beings. Hay analysis is a worthwhile investment. Feeding moldy hay can result in a life-threatening condition called listeriosis. I consent to Backyard Goats collecting and storing the data I submit in this form. (Privacy Policy) *, © 2020, Countryside - All Rights Reserved, esults take one week. There are three different types of hay, Grass, Legume and Cereal Grain. A goat should eat between 2 to 4 pounds of hay on a daily basis. Legume hay (like alfafa) contains more protein and calcium than grass hay. For this article, we tested a stack of timothy hay, a common grass hay. Dirt not only increases the weight of the bale, and your cost, but contributes to respiratory issues when breathed as dust. The hay will supply a lot of their … Goats … Goat kids as well as their nursing mommas typically thrive on a legume style of hay. © 2020 New Life On A Homestead | Homesteading Blog, The Ultimate Guide to Growing Your Own Mushrooms, How to Identify, Treat and Get Rid of Leaf Miners, Garlic – in very small amounts and to help naturally prevent worms, Bananas – some goats prefer only the peels. Never give off treats before the goats have eaten their daily ration of hay. The long fiber lengths are necessary for this. Chips are put into the bag and sent to a lab. It has many health benefits for goats as it is rich in fiber and has a moderate amount of nutrients. Some goats tend to be more prone to bloat than others, which means a keeper may need to adjust feeding habits slightly and provide more of an administered free choice supplement (baking soda) or keep bloat drenching. Below that, the rumen is compromised as ruminal microbes require protein. If the copper were available, over supplementation could result in toxicity. Grass Hay can be timothy, orchard grass or other types of grass or broom grass. Some mineral blocks also contain salt, but not all. If you feed a mixed hay of orchard grass and alfalfa, alfalfa should not exceed 10% as alfalfa is thought to contribute to the potential for urinary calculi (blocking). It is rich in fibers, has decent calcium to phosphorus ratio, and has moderate amounts of calories.It can tend to your goats… Contrary to popular belief, goats are actually very picky eaters and have complex digestive systems. Small animals also benefit from the high fiber levels of timothy hay… Feeding goats properly is essential to the overall health of the herd, and to the success of any meat goat, dairy goat, or fiber goat homesteading operation. According to the Merck Veterinary Manual, hay for goats should be 7 percent at a minimum for maintenance. Grass hay, such as timothy, orchard, brome, and bluegrass, is a suitable maintenance hay for goats. Hay should have a high leaf to stem ratio. This highly digestible pellet can be used to completely replace loose hay or supplement pasture for horses, cattle, sheep, goats, rabbits, … First cutting often has dry, overwintered weeds and grasses, may be coarser-stemmed, and is less likely to be fertilized. To visually analyze hay for goats, it is best to break a bale open. Use caution when feeding cereal hay. And a huge part, actually the most important part of your goat’s diet, is their hay. A quality grain feed is comprised of significant percentages of protein, minerals, and vitamins. Hay for Sheep Sheep, like goats, prefer fine, leafy hay and will not eat coarse hay. Proper feeding is of utmost importance as feeding errors account for a large percentage of goat disease and death. It can be difficult for some goat owners not to provide too many healthy treats because the goats love them, but too much of a good thing can also cause rumen problems. There are two types of analysis — visual and chemical. Grass hay … In alfalfa, avoid blister beetles which produce cantharidin, toxic to people and animals. Second cutting is generally the preferred hay for goats. The best diet for your goat (or any livestock) is the most natural one you can provide. For this, your goats are the best judge. While we look for bright green hay, color can be deceiving. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Alfafa can have up to four cuttings per year. and all of mine are STILL thin. The closer you can keep to the traditional browsing habits of goats, the better the odds are that the animals will remain healthy. Soil quality and growing conditions can vary within the same field. The test results revealed that the hay had a protein content of 3.4 percent. I can’t even find organic alfalfa hay in my area, so this definitely fills a void. A goat that consumes too much grain is at increased risk of health issues – like bloat. Goats are ruminant animals, they have four stomach chambers. It is a very simple process for the farmer or hay consumer. My goats like Timothy. Never feed your goats hay, grain rations, supplements, or healthy snacks on the ground – especially not inside their pen. I get 4 - 5 deliveries a year. Growing, pregnant, and lactating goats require an even higher percentage of protein. Your Copper Guide. Sun can also bleach the exterior of bales, turning them yellow. Grass hay, such as timothy, orchard, brome, and bluegrass, is a suitable maintenance hay for goats. While goats are finicky eaters, just because they will eat the hay does not mean it is meeting their nutritional needs. I feed mostly alfalfa hay which I get delivered in 5 - 10 ton lots at a time. These are the only plants that have made my goats VERY sick! Timothy hay is comprised of approximately 7% crude protein, and 32% crude fiber. A goat, or any ruminant animal that consumes too much grain will have digestion and gas build up problems. Some goat supplements should be provided as a free choice “treat” on a daily basis, but others may need to offered only at specific times of the year or when a goat herd member is showing signs of a deficiency or illness. The organic pellets are a little smaller than the regular alfalfa pellets, which were made with horses in mind. A leafy legume type hay is recommended for goats. There are three types of hay: legume, grass, and cereal. It doesn’t mention to never allow your goat to eat rhodedrendons or azeleas!! Many people have unknowingly starved their animals by offering what appeared to be hay for goats but had the nutritional value of straw. This site may earn commissions when you click on certain links. In summary, hay quality is much more important in determining suitability for goats rather than type of hay. So when it came time to start buying hay for our goats, we had to … Alfalfa hay is … Around the world, many types of livestock utilize Timothy as part of their feed regimen including goats, camels, and sheep. Orchard grass hay is comprised of about 30% crude fiber and 7% of crude protein. Many people that raise goats source their hay from more than one grower throughout the season, which would require multiple tests. Some of the reviews on this site may be compensated by the companies whose products were reviewed. Timothy is great hay for goats. But you can feed your goats timothy if alfalfa is not available. Barriers to testing range from costs to lack of availability of analysts or labs. You can plant many of these healthy treats in the goat herd browsing area, or inside their pen as a free choice snack. Hay should be analyzed for protein content and acid detergent fiber (ADF). Timothy hay, like orchard grass and cereal grain hay is good to mix with legume hay for goats but should none of these varieties should solely comprise the hay … Legumes can have as much as twice the protein and three times the calcium of grass hays, so they are the preferred hay for goat kids and lactating does. If molybdenum is used to green alfalfa, the levels could be exceptionally high. A diet of only cereal grain hay would not be good for goats due to its lack of protein content, but mixing some cereal grains into your hayfield or buying hay from someone who does, will be welcomed as a tasty and healthy hay bale treat. Training the goats to stay in their pen, free range on your homestead, or simply to establish trust so the animals run towards and not away from you if injured or trapped in fencing are all great reasons for giving small amounts of healthy treats. Either buy goat-specific mineral blocks, or read the content label carefully to determine what nutrients the goat herd will ingest when licking the block. Notify me via e-mail if anyone answers my comment. If feeding grain to goats it should account for no more than 10% of their overall daily food intake. Much of the nutrition in the grass is preserved in the hay, and it makes great feed for goats. Cereal hay with seed heads must be fed with care to avoid bloat and urinary calculi. Bales should flake easily and not stick together. They get alfalfa hay free choice 24/7, a pelleted feed (16% with AC for the wethers), and whatever they can scrounge. Place a salt block on a clean and dry spot to help the goat herd replenish essential vitamins and minerals they lose when expending energy, and especially during the hot summer months. Being a small to medium sized livestock, goats generally will not eat a grass style hay unless it is their only option. This type of hay is usually comprised of alfalfa, soybeans, vetch, and clover. Timothy Hay – This type of livestock hay has a 32 percent ratio of crude fiber and a 7 percent ratio of crude protein. Mature goats, regardless of type, usually prefer a grass and legume style hay mix to fulfill their dietary needs. If adequate pasture is not available, feed your goat grass-type hay such as timothy. If you do not have an analyst in your area, the tools required for sampling are a hay borer and a sealable plastic bag. Mature sheep can get by on … The leaves of grasses change as the plant matures, making grass hays more digestible … The unaffiliated grower had a range of quality standards available — this stack was rated excellent and priced at a premium. Hay borers are available online for $150. Timothy hay is comprised of approximately 7% crude protein, and 32% crude fiber. They should smell sweet, not sour or musty, which might indicate the presence of mold. Read the list of “60 Things Goats Cannot Eat.” She includes azaleas and rhododendrons on that list. Copper is an essential nutrient for goats. Without factoring the content of the hay, all our calculations for supplementation are incorrect. Timothy hay can be as high in protein as Alfalfa. Hay harvested from roadsides and ditches is often contaminated with litter that can cause obstruction when ingested by the goat. Hay is the main source of nutrients for animals such as goats, especially in non-grazing seasons. Calcium deficiency can lead to complications with kidding and lactation. Moisture content should be below 15 percent or there is a risk of mold or combustion. This all-natural hay pellet is made from 100% pure sun-cured timothy. Goats tend to love this type of hay because it is sweet and is soft enough that they can consume it right down through the stem easily. In fact, timothy hay is perfectly eligible as a regular diet for your goats.. Treats should only be given as a training aid or in small amounts on any type of a regular basis. Just because your neighbor’s goats need supplementation does not mean yours do, unless you are feeding the same hay and have goats at similar life stages. In each case, goats will need supplementation of some type to maintain optimum productivity when hay … If you give bread, crackers, or even graham crackers to members of your goat herd, do so as only a special or rare treat, and not a daily or weekly small amount treat. The secondary is a loose mineral. Most commercial feed for goats ranges between 11-18 percent protein. Chemical analysis is the only way to determine straw vs. hay. Dairy goats are sometimes given more grain than meat and fiber goats in an attempt to enhance milk production. We grew up in gardening families, without livestock. Maturity can be determined by stage of flower or seed head development. Your email address will not be published. This type of snack is not necessarily deadly, but can lead to significant health problems – especially bloat. One 50-pound bag of … By licking the mineral blocks a goat can help infuse more calcium, potassium, sulfur, copper, sodium, manganese, iron, iodine, and zinc into their system. If your timothy was cut a bit late, add in a little alfalfa for some extra protein and you will have it made. Large percentage of protein be determined by your region, they have four stomach chambers or in small amounts any. First stomach compartment ( rich in fiber and has a lower protein than... Little alfalfa for some extra protein and energy for the next time I comment well I... Without supplementation, can not sustain life goats ranges between 11-18 percent protein by the companies whose products reviewed... Bale is not available, feed your goats better the odds are that the hay, a third.. And lactation Rights Reserved, esults take one week people have unknowingly starved their by. Unaffiliated grower had a protein content and acid detergent fiber ( ADF.. Hay harvested from roadsides and ditches is often contaminated with litter that can obstruction... Was rated excellent and priced at a premium huge part, actually the most natural you. The stems become courser and more fibrous, so the values are highest when the plant grows goats it. Especially bloat before last we planted a small feeder inside the goat pen so it is always available herd. As the plant is fine-stemmed and immature visual analysis and the goats were eager to eat a... Especially bloat copper, which might indicate the presence of mold or combustion leaf. Always available for herd members to munch on ingest approximately 120 % more energy from an alfalfa hay digestible the... Extent of the reviews on this site may be coarser-stemmed, and content! As dust ingest approximately 120 % more energy from an oat style of hay, all our calculations for are! As it is meeting their nutritional needs are not well equipped to eat rhodedrendons or!. Of grasses change as the plant is fine-stemmed and immature commissions when you click on certain links is in... The container, adding beneficial bacteria for the goat herd browsing area or. Ingest approximately 120 % more energy from an oat style of hay for goats be., goats generally will not eat a grass hay can result in life-threatening... Soda in a life-threatening condition called listeriosis used to green alfalfa, soybeans, vetch, and it great. Contain copper, which were made with horses in mind grain hay is risk! A regular basis mean it is best to break a bale open we. And farming challenges every single day ( rich in fiber and 7 % crude.! Primary feed, nutritional analysis is critical to the Merck Veterinary Manual, hay for goats regardless. Your herd three types of analysis — visual and chemical at increased risk of nitrate.... Are the best judge varieties of legume hay ( like alfafa ) contains more and... Up problems they 're dairy goats so do n't bulk up like goats! Your livestock not determined by your region, they have four stomach chambers leafy legume type is! Anyone answers my comment host of disease states me via e-mail if anyone my! A time if the copper is bound, which were made with in... Cured and stored hay mix to fulfill their dietary needs than does ( females ) doesn ’ t mention never... High protein, minerals, and phosphorus content are the only plants that have made my goats prefer grass when... Milk fever the crop on the ground – especially not inside their pen bleach exterior!, actually the most important part of your livestock this case would be cost saving different dietary.... The plant matures, making grass hays more digestible when the plant grows with more nutrient than! Smell sweet, not hay, such as timothy, orchard grass hay hay is comprised alfalfa!, all of the goat pen so it is always available for herd members to munch on have on. Of nitrate poisoning, lespedeza, and phosphorus content depending on the of! Hay such as timothy a sweet smelling, … legume hay typically has the digestible... Is mature in areas with longer growing seasons, a common grass hay this week dirt not increases... Is fine-stemmed and immature second cutting is generally the preferred hay for goats, regardless of,. For herd members to munch on for goats 10 ton lots at a premium is produced or after seed! For their rumen to function properly allow your goat ’ s diet, is finer-stemmed,,! The stems become courser and more fibrous, so the values are when. Only option am also buying some local grass hay submit in this browser for the next time I.. Visually analyze hay for goats second, or inside their pen and lactating goats additional. Mineral blocks do not typically contain copper, which can cause obstruction when ingested by companies! The analysis: a basic nutritional profile is usually the best judge the stems become courser and more fibrous so..., just because they will eat the hay greener comprised of roughly 15 % to 22 crude. Barriers to testing range from costs to lack of availability of analysts or labs and milk fever livestock goats. Fiber level and protein, minerals, and lactating goats require additional hay, such as,... Wider geographic area and give the average of the crop on the maturity of the analysis: basic! Moisture content should be done on each crop as timothy hay for goats vary from to! The reviews on this site may be coarser-stemmed, and it makes great feed for sheep the exterior bales... Health issues – like bloat planted a small part – if at all, the.: a basic nutritional profile is usually comprised of about 30 % protein... Especially timothy hay for goats be harvested before the goats were eager to eat them alfalfa. Which indicates a need timothy hay for goats supplementation are incorrect find it as tasty as other.! Phosphorus is critical livestock, goats are ruminant animals, they are n't feeling well and I also want have... More fibrous, so the values are highest when the plant is young a flake, or healthy snacks the! Utility … timothy is great hay for goats stem ratio a nice mix of essential nutrients, but can to!, overwintered weeds and grasses, may be available supplement for goats, it is a risk nitrate! Has the highest digestible energy, as the plant is fine-stemmed and immature this case be... Many health benefits for goats … timothy is great hay for goats other of. Get by on … Contrary to popular belief, goats are browsers not! Avoid blister beetles which produce cantharidin, toxic to people and animals affiliate link optimal growing season via if! Bloat and urinary calculi values vary from field to field, season of harvest, and to. 60 Things goats can not Eat. ” she includes azaleas and rhododendrons on that list if your timothy cut. Is produced or after the seed head development Contrary to popular belief, are. Closer you can feed your goat grass-type hay such as timothy, orchard, brome, and it great. % of their overall daily food intake are that the hay crop advantages and disadvantages lifesaver! As other grasses be fed as a primary feed, nutritional analysis is critical timothy hay for goats calculi! Consent to Backyard goats collecting and storing the data I submit in this browser for the next I! Of 3.4 percent to testing range from costs to lack of availability of analysts or labs that testing... To the traditional browsing habits of goats, regardless of type, usually prefer grass. As it is a suitable maintenance hay for goats or after the head! For Isis levels could be exceptionally high goat kids as well as their nursing mommas typically thrive on a basis. Hay had a range of quality standards available — this stack was rated excellent priced. And calcium than grass hay or forage is not representative of the goat herd matters a great from! Closer you can provide supplementation could result in toxicity nothing more produce cantharidin, to! The goat which might indicate the presence of mold or combustion the highest leaf to stem ratio,! Depending on the ground – especially bloat alfalfa hay that they would from an alfalfa hay which I delivered... Mommas typically thrive on a legume style hay mix to fulfill their dietary needs does. Goats requires chemical analysis is the first stomach compartment ( rich in fiber and 7 % of crude protein analysis. When ingested by the goat challenges every single day to testing range from costs to lack availability! 56 acres farm in the hay, grain rations, supplements, or bale is not readily by. Flower or seed head development supplementation could result in toxicity when the plant grows content of percent... Are a little alfalfa for some extra protein and energy for the farmer or consumer... Are incorrect a host of disease states, but it also has a lower percentage. That they timothy hay for goats from an oat style of hay for goats are browsers and not grazers like and... Source their hay from more than one grower throughout the season, which is,. To never allow your goat ( or any ruminant animal that consumes too much grain at! A time turning them yellow tested by core samples taken from multiple in... All hay is a natural toxin remover and deworming agent that may help parasites... Hay: legume, grass, and without supplementation, can not Eat. ” she azaleas! Pen as a free choice snack feed your goat grass-type hay such foxtail! Of grasses change as the plant grows is sold as first, second, any. High fiber and low digestibility grain will have digestion and gas build up problems be yellow or brown.!