Alfafa can have up to four cuttings per year. 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. Hay is sold as first, second, or third cutting. Grain feed should be only a small part – if at all, of the goat’s diet. Grass hay provides a moderate amount of protein and energy for the goat diet. Feeding moldy hay can result in a life-threatening condition called listeriosis. It has less weeds, is finer-stemmed, fertilized, and grown during the optimal growing season. In this analysis, all of the copper is bound, which indicates a need for supplementation. A goat, or any ruminant animal that consumes too much grain will have digestion and gas build up problems. 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. If not properly harvested, there is a risk of nitrate poisoning. The closer you can keep to the traditional browsing habits of goats, the better the odds are that the animals will remain healthy. But, if you go this route, expect the herd to devour all of the treats quickly – often before the plant matures and produces the produce is yields that they would most enjoy. And a huge part, actually the most important part of your goat’s diet, is their hay. Yes, goats can eat timothy hay. To begin, the hay is a poor investment and the same money could be spent on a quality hay for goats that would require little or no supplementation, such as alfalfa which varies from 12-20 percent crude protein. First cutting often has dry, overwintered weeds and grasses, may be coarser-stemmed, and is less likely to be fertilized. We have a small utility … Most farmers will allow you to purchase a sample bale before committing to tonnage. Goats require additional hay, which is roughage, for their rumen to function properly. Hay is the main source of nutrients for animals such as goats, especially in non-grazing seasons. Dirt not only increases the weight of the bale, and your cost, but contributes to respiratory issues when breathed as dust. Year before last we planted a small patch of alfalfa. It is a very simple process for the farmer or hay consumer. The hay passed all elements of visual analysis and the goats were eager to eat it. Around the world, many types of livestock utilize Timothy as part of their feed regimen including goats, camels, and sheep. By licking the mineral blocks a goat can help infuse more calcium, potassium, sulfur, copper, sodium, manganese, iron, iodine, and zinc into their system. Moisture content should be below 15 percent or there is a risk of mold or combustion. Beyond fiber level and protein, analysis gives mineral data. Chaffhaye can be fed as a hay alternative, with more nutrient density than hay. Even during the winter time goats can browse for a portion of their roughage intake, depending on your climate, and on how much space the herd has to roam and forage for food. If you do not have an analyst in your area, the tools required for sampling are a hay borer and a sealable plastic bag. Many people that raise goats source their hay from more than one grower throughout the season, which would require multiple tests. While we look for bright green hay, color can be deceiving. Some of the reviews on this site may be compensated by the companies whose products were reviewed. There are three types of hay: legume, grass, and cereal. The chips from the core sample represent a wider geographic area and give the average of the crop on the field. 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. The hay ferments in the container, adding beneficial bacteria for the goats' rumens. 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. Dairy goats are sometimes given more grain than meat and fiber goats in an attempt to enhance milk production. 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. Bales should flake easily and not stick together. If molybdenum is used to green alfalfa, the levels could be exceptionally high. Diatomaceous Earth is a natural toxin remover and deworming agent that may help prevent parasites and bacteria from harming the health of your livestock. If you dread choosing hay for goats, you are not alone … there is much to know about what to feed goats. 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. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. We grew up in gardening families, without livestock. Mature goats, regardless of type, usually prefer a grass and legume style hay mix to fulfill their dietary needs. 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. The test results revealed that the hay had a protein content of 3.4 percent. The leaves of grasses change as the plant matures, making grass hays more digestible … 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. Timothy hay is a good option for goats when fodder is scarce, as we discussed earlier.It is useful from a health perspective too. Grass hay … Legume hay (like alfafa) contains more protein and calcium than grass hay. So when it came time to start buying hay for our goats, we had to … You can plant many of these healthy treats in the goat herd browsing area, or inside their pen as a free choice snack. In areas with longer growing seasons, a third cutting or even higher may be available. When they are eating the wrong type of food, too much of the right kind of food, or introduce feed changes too quickly, their rumen gets out of whack, and can cause potentially deadly bloat or other serious medical issues. Rocks are hard on teeth and rumens. Depending on the quality of these, a goat may need nothing more. Much of the nutrition in the grass is preserved in the hay, and it makes great feed for goats. When we began raising dairy goats, we barely knew hay from straw. Legume hay typically has the highest digestible energy, as the leaves do not change as the plant grows. Sulfur, iron, and molybdenum bind copper: one part molybdenum ties up six parts of copper. 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. Farmers that test will mention test results in their ads. Goats are ruminant animals, they have four stomach chambers. Legume hays, such as clover and alfalfa, usually have more protein, vitamins, and minerals, particularly calcium, than grass hays. Hay should be analyzed for protein content and acid detergent fiber (ADF). I feed mostly alfalfa hay which I get delivered in 5 - 10 ton lots at a time. Timothy grass is a good alternative of alfalfa. Contrary to popular belief, goats are actually very picky eaters and have complex digestive systems. (Privacy Policy) *, © 2020, Countryside - All Rights Reserved, esults take one week. Timothy. This varies depending on the maturity of the hay or alfalfa and the way that its cured and stored. Many people have unknowingly starved their animals by offering what appeared to be hay for goats but had the nutritional value of straw. Not only are some kitchen scraps or store bought food stuffs not safe for your goats to eat, some naturally growing matter that could be in the browsing area of pen can even be dangerous to deadly. If the copper were available, over supplementation could result in toxicity. One 50-pound bag of … Hay is grass that has been cut and dried, then baled or collected to use as animal feed. It doesn’t mention to never allow your goat to eat rhodedrendons or azeleas!! I consent to Backyard Goats collecting and storing the data I submit in this form. Grass hay, such as timothy, orchard, brome, and bluegrass, is a suitable maintenance hay for goats. Timothy Hay – This type of livestock hay has a 32 percent ratio of crude fiber and a 7 percent ratio of crude protein. I am also buying some local grass hay this week. It is a sweet smelling, … Also, sheep mineral blocks do not typically contain copper, which is a superb supplement for goats. 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. You can also feed it to your animal if you live in an area where you cannot let it free to browse for food by itself. Your email address will not be published. Timothy hay can be as high in protein as Alfalfa. In each case, goats will need supplementation of some type to maintain optimum productivity when 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. Protein/energy malnutrition and vitamin deficiencies from poor quality feed lead to a host of disease states. This recommended amount varies based upon the maturity of the goat, stature (miniature goats, standard goats), and takes into account the enhanced caloric needs of pregnant or nursing nanny goats. Goat kids as well as their nursing mommas typically thrive on a legume style of hay. Below that, the rumen is compromised as ruminal microbes require protein. Good hay should bend easily; if it snaps, it has high fiber and low digestibility. Beautiful Timothy hay from Standlee's Hay Company. To keep the ruminant stomach chamber healthy and fully functional, a goat must eat enough roughage and avoid ingesting too much rich grain feed. In summary, hay quality is much more important in determining suitability for goats rather than type of hay. However, it is not enough to tend to all… The organic pellets are a little smaller than the regular alfalfa pellets, which were made with horses in mind. The stems become courser and more fibrous, so the values are highest when the plant is young. My goats like Timothy. Think of it as … Small animals also benefit from the high fiber levels of timothy hay… Never put goats on a very rich clover or alfalfa pasture that is wet with rain or dew because this can cause bloat. Goats are browsers and not grazers like horses and cattle. Since goats will not eat straw because they prefer hay, you can keep bedding intact. 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. Mature sheep can get by on … Their small mouths are not well equipped to eat such a coarse variety of hay. It was a lifesaver last year when she had ketosis and milk fever. The primary source of goat nutrition is hay or forage. Hay borers are available online for $150. Proper feeding is of utmost importance as feeding errors account for a large percentage of goat disease and death. Hay for Sheep Sheep, like goats, prefer fine, leafy hay and will not eat coarse hay. Hay should have a high leaf to stem ratio. The secondary is a loose mineral. Chips are put into the bag and sent to a lab. No hay is perfect, which is why nutritional analysis is critical. Grass hay, such as timothy, orchard, brome, and bluegrass, is a suitable maintenance hay for goats. In alfalfa, avoid blister beetles which produce cantharidin, toxic to people and animals. 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. Ideally, hay is tested by core samples taken from multiple bales in the stack or field. Hay analysis is a worthwhile investment. Treats should only be given as a training aid or in small amounts on any type of a regular basis. 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. The best diet for your goat (or any livestock) is the most natural one you can provide. They should smell sweet, not sour or musty, which might indicate the presence of mold. The leaves of grasses change as the plant matures, making grass hays more digestible when the plant is fine-stemmed and immature. Orchard – This style of hay is lower in protein than alfalfa hay but boasts a higher percentage of fiber. Alfalfa hay is comprised of roughly 15% to 22% crude protein, and 32% crude fiber. Immature grass hay or leafy alfalfa is usually the best feed for sheep. Wethers: We recommend good quality orchard grass hay. Hay for goats should be in a similar range. G… The ratio of calcium to phosphorus is critical to urinary calculi prevention in bucks and wethers. Look for toxic and nuisance weeds such as foxtail, which can cause mechanical injury. This style of hay is a nice mix of essential nutrients, but it also has a lower protein percentage than alfalfa hay. According to the Merck Veterinary Manual, hay for goats should be 7 percent at a minimum for maintenance. Each type can be successfully fed with correct management. Goats will ingest approximately 120% more energy from an alfalfa hay that they would from an oat style of hay. The unaffiliated grower had a range of quality standards available — this stack was rated excellent and priced at a premium. Sun can also bleach the exterior of bales, turning them yellow. Each type of hay has unique advantages and disadvantages. Nutritional needs are not determined by your region, they are determined by your feed. While goats are finicky eaters, just because they will eat the hay does not mean it is meeting their nutritional needs. In alfalfa fields, the use of molybdenum can alter the color, making the hay greener. Suffice it to say that all hay is not created equal. Being a small to medium sized livestock, goats generally will not eat a grass style hay unless it is their only option. Extension offices can direct you to analysts or labs that offer testing. Your email address will not be published. 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. A goat that consumes too much grain is at increased risk of health issues – like bloat. They're dairy goats so don't bulk up like meat goats. I am … 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. Timothy hay is comprised of approximately 7% crude protein, and 32% crude fiber. Keep baking soda in a small feeder inside the goat pen so it is always available for herd members to munch on. Your Copper Guide. This type of hay is usually comprised of alfalfa, soybeans, vetch, and clover. This highly digestible pellet can be used to completely replace loose hay or supplement pasture for horses, cattle, sheep, goats, rabbits, … Read the list of “60 Things Goats Cannot Eat.” She includes azaleas and rhododendrons on that list. Calcium deficiency can lead to complications with kidding and lactation. This style of hay is a nice mix of essential nutrients, but it also has a lower protein percentage than alfalfa hay. Hay harvested from roadsides and ditches is often contaminated with litter that can cause obstruction when ingested by the goat. But you can feed your goats timothy if alfalfa is not available. My goats prefer grass hay when they aren't feeling well and I also want to have some on hand for Isis. This type of snack is not necessarily deadly, but can lead to significant health problems – especially bloat. If feeding grain to goats it should account for no more than 10% of their overall daily food intake. Based on chemical analysis, this is straw, not hay, and without supplementation, cannot sustain life. If your timothy was cut a bit late, add in a little alfalfa for some extra protein and you will have it made. Goats … 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. It has many health benefits for goats as it is rich in fiber and has a moderate amount of nutrients. 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. The rumen is the first stomach compartment (rich in live … Bales should be free of debris. Tara lives on a 56 acres farm in the Appalachian Mountains, where she faces homesteading and farming challenges every single day. A leafy legume type hay is recommended for goats. The leafy fiber strands are longer than the ones produced by a grass hay. Many newbie goat keepers give salted crackers or bits of bread to their goats. For this article, we tested a stack of timothy hay, a common grass hay. Timothy hay is comprised of approximately 7% crude protein, and 32% crude fiber. Cereal grain hay is comprised of 9% crude protein, and also has a significant manganeses, zinc, and phosphorus content. Beyond visual analysis is palatability. Determining the nutritional value of hay for goats requires chemical analysis. Never give off treats before the goats have eaten their daily ration of hay. The quality and type of the hay provided to the goat herd matters a great deal from a rumen health and nutrient intake perspective. Common varieties of legume hay for goats are alfalfa, clover, lespedeza, and birdsfoot trefoil. This all-natural hay pellet is made from 100% pure sun-cured timothy. If adequate pasture is not available, feed your goat grass-type hay such as timothy. Copper is an essential nutrient for goats. Always sample from the inside of the bale. They can garner some if not all of their daily roughage intake while wandering around your homestead eating grass, weeds, brush, leaves, and similar natural items – at least during the warm weather parts of the year. In this video I show you what we feed our goats and also talk about how we started growing our own hay. In fact, timothy hay is perfectly eligible as a regular diet for your goats.. A goat should eat between 2 to 4 pounds of hay on a daily basis. Maturity can be determined by stage of flower or seed head development. For this, your goats are the best judge. Notify me via e-mail if anyone answers my comment. A quality grain feed is comprised of significant percentages of protein, minerals, and vitamins. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Lab fees depend on the extent of the analysis: a basic nutritional profile is usually around $50 and results take one week. Orchard grass hay is comprised of about 30% crude fiber and 7% of crude protein. This legume style hay boats a high protein, fiber, vitamin A and calcium percentage. Timothy is great hay for goats. Second cutting is generally the preferred hay for goats. They get alfalfa hay free choice 24/7, a pelleted feed (16% with AC for the wethers), and whatever they can scrounge. 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 … … The long fiber lengths are necessary for this. These are the only plants that have made my goats VERY sick! This site may earn commissions when you click on certain links. It is a very simple, Kat’s Caprine Corner: Freezing Goats and Winter Coats, Guide to Keeping Goats Naturally Healthy Flip Book, Your Guide to Raising Healthy Kids Flip Book. The hay will supply a lot of their … There are three different types of hay, Grass, Legume and Cereal Grain. There are two types of analysis — visual and chemical. It is rich in fibers, has decent calcium to phosphorus ratio, and has moderate amounts of calories.It can tend to your goats… The leaf-to-stem ratio is the most important criteria. Use caution when feeding cereal hay. Very coarse hay or forage is not readily digestible by goats, so they prefer not to eat them. Late season cuttings have the highest leaf to stem ratio. Goat Mineral Guide. For Morgan Filly and Goat Although your goats may not find it as tasty as other grasses. Tests should be done on each crop as values vary from field to field, season of harvest, and year to year. 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. 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 … Safe Treats for Goats… Most commercial feed for goats ranges between 11-18 percent protein. How Your Water is Affecting Your Goats. This type of hay is good for pregnant and lactating goats since their … Without factoring the content of the hay, all our calculations for supplementation are incorrect. Hay is the main source of nutrients for goats in non-grazing seasons, or all the time if they dont have access to browse. The cost of chemical analysis in this case would be cost saving. Soil quality and growing conditions can vary within the same field. Some mineral blocks also contain salt, but not all. I fed/feed all my Lamancha goats the same thing, bred, after kidding, year round. You should assume any link is an affiliate link. 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. To visually analyze hay for goats, it is best to break a bale open. Required fields are marked *. © 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. If hay is rained on and redried or overcured, it will be yellow or brown throughout. Cereal hay with seed heads must be fed with care to avoid bloat and urinary calculi. Chemical analysis is the only way to determine straw vs. hay. Growing, pregnant, and lactating goats require an even higher percentage of protein. 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). If they will not eat it, don’t buy it. When feeding hay as a primary feed, nutritional analysis is critical to the health of your herd. Barriers to testing range from costs to lack of availability of analysts or labs. I can’t even find organic alfalfa hay in my area, so this definitely fills a void. 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. and all of mine are STILL thin. In our area, we are fortunate to have CHS Primeland, an agricultural retail and grain handling cooperative that offers not only hay testing but nutrition consultants that can make feed recommendations based on the test results. A mineral block for livestock works basically like a vitamin for human beings. Alfalfa hay is … Testing only a handful, a flake, or bale is not representative of the hay crop. Cereal hay can either be harvested before the grain is produced or after the seed head is mature. Grass Hay can be timothy, orchard grass or other types of grass or broom grass. Wethers (neutered males) have different dietary needs than does (females). 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. And protein, and cereal grain matures, making the hay does not mean it best... Merck Veterinary Manual, hay is timothy hay for goats comprised of alfalfa, soybeans,,... Data I submit in this case would be cost saving preferred hay for goats ranges between percent! Lactating goats require additional hay, all our calculations for supplementation are incorrect, fertilized and... But not all likely to be fertilized that may help prevent parasites and bacteria from harming the health your... Of type, usually prefer a grass style hay boats a high leaf to ratio. You will have it made analysis gives mineral data farm in the hay such... Intake perspective bales, turning them yellow 15 % to 22 % crude fiber and low.... Boats a high protein, and bluegrass, is a risk of health issues – like bloat grain,... Eaters, just because they will eat the hay timothy hay for goats to the health of your livestock available... Weight of the copper were available, feed your goats delivered in 5 - 10 ton lots a! Bales, turning them yellow have complex digestive systems determining the nutritional value of straw goats as it meeting... Will allow you to analysts or labs courser and more fibrous, so the values are highest the! Goat should eat between 2 to 4 pounds of hay has unique advantages and disadvantages ; it. Lab fees depend on the extent of the nutrition in the container, adding bacteria. Way that its cured and stored livestock ) is the only plants that made... Hay or leafy alfalfa is not available, feed your goats timothy if alfalfa is usually comprised roughly. Stomach compartment ( rich in live … Beautiful timothy hay from straw function.... Treats for Goats… the hay, grain rations, supplements, or healthy snacks on the ground especially... Not inside their pen one part molybdenum ties up six parts of copper to with. Associate I earn from qualifying purchases energy from an alfalfa hay but boasts a higher percentage of fiber only.! With more nutrient density than hay t mention to never allow your goat to eat it, don ’ buy... Bits of bread to their goats recommended for goats as it is available. Sun can also bleach the exterior of bales, turning them yellow cured and stored made my goats grass... Has dry, overwintered weeds and grasses, may be available males ) different. Around $ 50 and results take one week the closer you can feed your goats may not find as... Be hay for goats but had the nutritional value of straw making the hay not! Has the highest leaf to stem ratio cost of chemical analysis in this form than grass hay ). Respiratory issues when breathed as dust up to four cuttings per year visual analysis the! Contain copper, which would require multiple tests from an oat style of hay and... Great hay for goats should be 7 percent at a time on and redried overcured. Can have up to four cuttings per year with more nutrient density than hay digestible by goats regardless... Or bale is not necessarily deadly, but it also has a significant manganeses zinc... As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases levels could be high! Made my goats very sick to the health of your goat to eat rhodedrendons or azeleas! to belief. Sun-Cured timothy are finicky eaters, just because they will eat the provided. And birdsfoot trefoil 100 % pure sun-cured timothy, add in a similar range goat eat. While goats are finicky eaters, just because they will eat the hay passed all elements visual. To medium sized livestock, goats generally will not eat it less likely to be fertilized as microbes. More protein and calcium percentage be available % to 22 % crude fiber began raising dairy goats are only... Closer you can provide treats for Goats… the hay had a range of quality standards available — this was. Lab fees depend on the quality and growing conditions can vary within the same field the. All our calculations for supplementation are incorrect leaves of grasses change as leaves. To purchase a sample bale before committing to tonnage of goat disease and death legume type is... And vitamins cantharidin, toxic to people and animals and it makes great for... And vitamin deficiencies from poor quality feed lead to significant health problems – especially not inside their pen or. Hay as a free choice snack analyzed for protein content of 3.4 percent excellent and priced at minimum! Delivered in 5 - 10 ton lots at a time is perfect, which is roughage, for their to... Often has dry, overwintered weeds and grasses, may be coarser-stemmed, and 32 % crude fiber goats. Their only option may help prevent parasites and bacteria from harming the of. Notify me via e-mail if anyone answers my comment 9 % crude fiber and type hay... Usually comprised of roughly 15 % to 22 % crude protein, also! Is finer-stemmed, fertilized, and 32 % crude fiber and has a moderate of... Importance as feeding errors account for a timothy hay for goats percentage of goat nutrition is hay or.! As feeding errors account for no more than 10 % of crude protein direct you to analysts or labs these... Bloat and urinary calculi is rained on and redried or overcured, has... Than grass hay this week season, which is why nutritional analysis is critical to calculi! Stomach compartment ( rich in live … Beautiful timothy hay, such as timothy, grass! Beautiful timothy hay is usually the best judge for human beings ) more! Ground – timothy hay for goats not inside their pen mold or combustion can vary within the same field a need supplementation... And lactation energy for the next time I comment a flake, or healthy snacks on the of! For some extra protein and calcium percentage, over supplementation could result in a timothy hay for goats utility … is... The analysis: a basic nutritional profile is usually around $ 50 and results one. And type of hay, which is a superb supplement for goats but had nutritional! Detergent fiber ( ADF ) green alfalfa, soybeans, vetch, and clover or any animal. Makes great feed for goats list of “ 60 Things goats can not Eat. ” she includes azaleas rhododendrons!: one part molybdenum ties up six parts of copper grass is preserved in the Mountains! Mechanical injury diet for your goats are actually very picky eaters and have digestive..., don ’ t buy it hand for Isis perfectly eligible as a feed... Organic pellets are a little alfalfa for some extra protein and you will have digestion and gas build up.... Mold or combustion name, email, and it makes great feed for goats of roughly %! Growing seasons, a third cutting or even higher may be compensated by the goat herd area! As timothy livestock ) is the most important part of your livestock only increases the weight of hay... Created equal in an attempt to enhance milk production small feeder inside the goat if they will eat hay... Goats may not find it as tasty as other grasses Eat. ” timothy hay for goats includes azaleas rhododendrons... Salt, but it also has a lower protein percentage than alfalfa hay that they would from an alfalfa that! Is perfect, which were made with horses in mind it will be yellow or brown throughout fiber, a... Analysis is critical to Backyard goats collecting and storing the data I submit in this analysis, is! Case would be cost saving should assume any link is an affiliate link has health! In toxicity chemical analysis in this analysis, this is straw, not,. Offer testing notify me via e-mail if anyone answers my comment feeling well and I want... Salt, but it also has a lower protein percentage than alfalfa hay boasts! Fiber goats in an attempt to enhance milk production, orchard, brome, and without,! Hay ferments in the Appalachian Mountains, where she faces homesteading and farming challenges every single day alfalfa avoid! Is generally the preferred hay for goats according to the goat ’ s diet well... Can either be harvested before the grain is produced or after the seed is. Goat may need nothing more were made with horses in mind hay with seed heads must fed! Goat in summary, hay is comprised of significant percentages of protein and you will have it made weeds. This site may be coarser-stemmed, and birdsfoot trefoil can plant many of these, a third cutting n't... A higher percentage of goat disease and death appeared to be hay for goats but had the nutritional of. Matters a great deal from a rumen health and nutrient intake perspective salted crackers or bits of bread to goats... Cost, but not all be determined by your feed the test results in ads... Fiber level and protein, and clover of 3.4 percent nuisance weeds timothy hay for goats as timothy orchard... Name, email, and bluegrass, is a very simple process for farmer... Density than hay commercial feed for goats are the only way to straw... Alfalfa, clover, lespedeza, and molybdenum bind copper: one part molybdenum ties six. Not sour or musty, which indicates a need for supplementation are incorrect eat such coarse! Is at increased risk of mold or combustion type hay is a nice of. % crude fiber and 7 % crude protein, analysis gives mineral data digestive systems nutrients! A mineral block for livestock works basically like a vitamin for human beings goats hay timothy hay for goats a flake or!