Relatively tolerant of "wet . This will all depend on the weather where you live. Oat hay is a great source of protein useful for goat breeding. You expect to find hay in any bale you buy, but Ive found its often mixed up with a variety of other things. I figured the taller the better, the more likely they'll eat it. If it smells sweet its good to go, if it smells spoiled or sour then you will not want to feed it to your goats. Outdoor Hub, LLC (d/b/a Carbon Media Group), 30800 Telegraph Rd, Suite 1921, Bingham Farms, MI 48025 USA. Ideal Cutting Time For Oat Hay. Oats are also a common source of proteins for goats. Lesser Grass Hays. Feel free to pin on Pinterest! How to Sterilize Soil With Boiling Water! cup BOSS (Black Oil Sunflower Seeds) Organic Version. Hay is what we call a cut pasture and as stated above, it includes the stem, leaves, and seed head. If you must use alfalfa hay for all your horses, be selective in the hay you choose. Be sure to have a secure way to store this option of livestock feed so pests do not have access to it. Legumes used for hay include alfalfa, various types of clover (such as red, crimson, alsike and ladino), lespedeza, birdsfoot trefoil, vetch, soybean and cowpeas. Goats can digest oats and other grains quite easily. Fiber - Fiber plays an important role in rumen function, and generally fiber content should be greater than 50%. Do they respond well? Again encouraging nutrients to support the energy needed by a bred goat. And, other livestock animals love them too. Apparently this can occur in any type of forage/hay that is grown in area's with an overload of nitrates. There are so many things to know about hay from growing it to cutting or mowing it down. The cover crop grows faster then the seeding(referring to any grass seeds you will be planting) so as the seeding is growing, the cover crop is protecting the delicate seeding from the harsher elements so that it doesn't get killed. As long as its oat hay that is not that mature, as in the heads were not on yet when it was baled then they should like it. These can range from small squares to large round bales and the prices of the bale will depend, of course, on size but also on the quality. Check the size of the stem and the quality of the nutritional value of the hay. The type of hay will directly affect the amount and quality of milk along with the percentages of butterfat found within. If fed exclusively, alfalfa in any form can be bad for goats. Sweet feed contains molasses and is a good source of iron. The goats rumen acts like a furnace when in use which helps to keep them warm in the cold weather. I asked the difference and he said basically height/size of the clover. However, weeds tend to appear in first-cut alfalfa hay. If fed on wet or muddy ground, sheep will generally waste a lot of hay; they will eat more of it when it is kept clean and dry in a feeder, or some kind of feed bunk. As long as hay does not contain toxic plants, a few weeds in the hay can be acceptable when feeding goats. When you buy through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. The Fora platform includes forum software by XenForo. Particularly fine-stemmed, leafy alfalfa (rabbit hay or dairy hay) is too rich and palatable for horses (they generally overeat on it) and does not have enough fiber content for proper digestion. A mandatory part of a diet is good hay. Help spread the word. As such, they can get fed a variety of different things. Regular manure management aids in parasite control and will also result in more uniform grazing. The top and bottom layers of unprotected baled hay are particularly susceptible to mold since the top layer is exposed to the elements, and the bottom may have sat on the ground, drawing moisture. They also love to eat corn, barley, oats, soybeans separately. You may even find yourself wondering, is straw or hay better for goats? Allow 25 - 30 bales (of small rectangular) bales per adult goat per year. 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. Most dairy cows will not milk adequately on grass hay, nor on stemmy, coarse alfalfa that contains few leaves. Well, my herd of Dwarf Nigerian cross Boer goats doesnt. Day 2- Around 2 pm drain and rinse grain from first day. . These goat oat treats will remove all doubt that goats can eat oats. Just what I needed to know. Bailing is simply the process of cutting, raking, combining, and stacking the hay into sections. Legume hays like alfalfa, vetch, and clover, have a higher protein content. Oats are a healthy and nutritious food for goats and can easily incorporate into their diet in several ways. However, some types of mold may cause abortion in pregnant cows. Oats are high in starch and fiber, and while most horses consume and digest them easily, many horses don't due to their high starch content. Chaffhaye is premium bagged, Non-GMO Alfalfa. Vegetables can help to add variety to the diet and provide additional sources of nutrients. Oats are highly palatable for goats and can get included in the grain ration in both a rolled or ground format. Feeding them a diet including oats can help keep their digestive systems healthy and functioning optimally. Yes, it can seem overwhelming at first especially when there are so many aspects to what makes a good quality bale of hay. I get a local timothy mix hay for my goats.they have done very well with this, they also get a portion of alfalfa cubes each night. Grains are a vital part of a goats diet, but some grains can be bad for goats. Either pick it up or drag the pasture to spread the manure so it will decompose more quickly. 55% cracked corn. All you need to do is unsecure the wire, wash out the feeders, and hang them up again to dry. It is also the most costly alfalfa. Pugh, goats need a minimum of 7% dietary crude protein for normal rumen function and normal rumen bacterial growth. Weedy and grass hay are really good for the goats. Barley straw is generally considered to be the best as goats will be happy to eat . we did ours about a month ago. Can Goats Eat Oats? Do not store in sunlight or allow it to get warm or the contents will mold. However, just like with hay, you want to feed it when its green and free rather than dried. Good-quality hay should be soft to the touch and flake easily. Oats can be grown for hay or oats and straw. Shutterstock. Most we have is lots of rain and cold. I cant even tell you how much money I wasted on purchasing hay that looked good but my goats did not thrive on. Look at texture, maturity, color and leafiness. The process of cutting, raking, drying, and then baling hay is important to know so you better understand which questions to ask before purchasing hay for your goats. Next to pasture, good quality hay is the ideal feed. ], Vegetable, Fruit Tree, and Edible Gardens, How Soon Can a Goat Get Pregnant After Giving Birth? A better approach is to provide your entire herd with grass hay ad-lib and then mix some alfalfa pellets plus grain for your lactating does and anyone else that needs a bit extra. Good quality dust-free hay should be used to provide at least 40% (by weight) of your goat s total feed and should be . It is less apt to contain blister beetles (which are deadly if eaten), and it often has a little grass mixed in. Planting after wheat harvest provides forage and increases farm . If cut too quickly these bales will not include the full plant, meaning the stem and leaves, which may have your animals missing out on important nutrients. However, this quality can be good for goats with hard-to-digest feeds such as grains. Cereal grain crops (especially oats) can make good hay when cut while still green and growing, rather than waiting for the seed heads to mature for grain. Mature goats do very well on a grass-legume mix and some grass hays, but generally do not eat coarse grass hay; having small mouths, goats do not like it. They do best with fine, soft hay thats cut before bloom stage; it not only contains more nutrients, but is also much easier to eat. Whole oats are another name for oat groats, which is the whole, unbroken oat grain that has been harvested, cleaned, and removed from their inedible hulls. The answer is a resounding yes! Peter Roome/Flickr. Cattle can generally tolerate dustier hay than can horses, and can even eat a little mold without problems. First, oat hay should be fresh and dry. These are the sources used for this article. A goat's diet normally consists of mainly bulk foods such as hay and pastures such as clovers, but grains are also an important part of their diets (about 20%). Rye is also good for milk production. But with some planning, feeding hay during the winter months can be a simple and efficient alternative while waiting the return of springs lush pastures. SLCG PRO TIP: Straw is great to use for goat bedding. Oats are a cereal crop, the oats hay is a farming byproduct with high protein, starch, and fiber content with less digestible energy for goats. The Best Hay for Goats in Their Heyday. Hay. I've never tried feeding it to goats, but whenever they escape they were always in the oats out front. You can incorporate either whole or rolled oats with pellet feeds, including sweet feed. If you are considering purchasing this type of hay, it can be tested for nitrate content. Oh, boy, was I ever wrong! Rolled oats are sometimes the preferred form in which to feed oats, as their nutrients are more easily digested by goats. I've read in other articles that bucks shouldn't have grain at all. In the whole lifetime, a goat mostly depends on the hay and pasture. More often than not this can be easily done with first cut hay. Wir verwenden Cookies um Inhalte und Anzeigen zu personalisieren, um Social-Media-Funktionen zur Verfgung zu stellen und unseren Traffic zu analysieren. These apple and oats treats contain other nutritious and delicious ingredients such as alfalfa and molasses that is sure to delight your goats. Peanut hay is rare hay but is one of the best hay for goats. You can find out more information at your local county extension office. It does not do well in hot climates, however. It's not only cheap but it also contains a large amount of protein and nutrition. I think we may get the cover crop anyways, can't hurt. 10 Best Goats for Beginners [Top Breeds for Dairy, Meat, and, Homemade DIY Hay Feeder for Goats[17 Designs and Plans! In some parts of the country fescue, reed canary grass, ryegrass and Sudan grass are common. Required fields are marked *. If livestock are on a good winter pasture they may need only a little supplementation, such as 5# of alfalfa hay a day for an adult cow. of average quality hay. Some farmers keep sheep and cattle together when feeding hay, so the sheep can eat the finer leaves that cattle waste. There are a few things to keep in mind when feeding oat hay to goats. Young calves have tender mouths and cannot chew coarse hay very wellwhether grass or alfalfa. It is perfect for grazing or baleage production and cover cropping but is challenging to produce dry hay. Hay is used for feeding animals because it contains the entire plant; the stem, leaf, and seed head. Sheep, like goats, prefer fine, leafy hay and will not eat coarse hay. Milking goats should be fed 4kgs of hay per day. Thank you! We may earn a commission if you make a purchase, at no additional cost to you. We've always fed Sudan hay, goats will nearly always choose it over coastal. Luckily there are a few options to help remedy this. (Yikes!). Average Orchardgrass hay contains about 9-10% crude protein and 55% TDN on a dry matter basis. i feed a quality timothy/brome/grass mix. Since purchasing pellets can be a bit expensive online I suggest checking with your local feed mill for a more affordable option. Rocks are also potentially dangerous, breaking teeth and causing havoc in the rumen. But this type of feeding is very economical and will work. Another way to incorporate oats into your goats diet is by baking them into treats that will be used to hide medication. A goats daily diet should also include about 25% of pasture and 20% of grains. Alfalfa stems, for example, are woody, serving as structural support for the plant. If you create a ridgepole roof effect (using a row of bales down the center of the top of the stack, so that your tarp slopes off each way), the tarp will shed water better than a flat-topped stack. Oat hay cut at the right time has high nutrients levels. Storing hay is not a problem if you are buying only a few weeks worth at a time and can put a tarp over it, but storage over several months requires more protection to avoid spoilage. Whole, steel-cut, and rolled are some of the most common ways oats can be fed to goats. Many homesteaders buy Timothy hay for the main herd and alfalfa for their lactating does, who benefit from its higher protein and calcium content. An overwintering oat that has a wide leaf and dense crown, Cosaque has superb weed suppression. I "pastured" off part of the hill above the main yards and it has a bit of everything in it..timothy, clover, alfalfa as well as wildflowers. Dairy cows need the best haywith the most nutrients per poundsince they are producing more milk than a beef cow. This can disrupt the microbes that help the animals digest their feed. Another most favorite foods of the goat are hay or pasture. If you do not have access to pasture for your goats, then the grass hay percentage is going to be a bit higher than the graph above. In addition, the extra nutrients in the oats will help increase the milk quality. Second cut is also good to give to any goats that are bred. The plant itself is fairly small compared to other grasses and is a good source of protein that can be useful for goat breeding. Nowadays, turnips are probably not the best choice for feeding dairy goats over the winter since any plant in the crucifer family can impart an unpleasant flavor to the animal's milk. They will gather up the hay, bundle it together, tie it with string also known as baling twine and finally toss it into a hay trailer or back onto the grass to be gathered up later. A horse-mad redhead with a passion for the outdoors, Nicky lives on a 6ha small-holding on the Wild Coast of South Africa. Heres How Often You Have to Milk a Goat [Once vs. Twice a Day], Vegetable, Fruit Tree, and Edible Gardens, How Soon Can a Goat Get Pregnant After Giving Birth? 2 pounds of grain=95% dry matter. Off-label feed isn't something I'd recommend to everyone, as you have to pay very close attention to what's in the feed and know what's good and bad for goats, etc.. Moldy hay can not only make your goats sick but even, in some cases, kill so being sure your bales are stored correctly is a crucial part of a healthy herd. Oats and barley are two grains often fed to goats. 13 Stunning Cascading Plants for Retaining Walls and Hanging Baskets. Since goats will not eat straw because they prefer hay, you can keep bedding intact. Not all hay is grass, after all, and you do get some types of cereal grain straw, as well as grass and legume hay. You may feed them free choice or feed them hay twice in a day. For this reason, we prefer to feed second cut hay exclusively in the winter months to all of our goats. JavaScript is disabled. It will also lack the vitamin A and E levels of fresh hay. Quality Registered Nigerian Dwarfs & Natural Goats Milk Soaps, Bad News Boers Farm: Breeding Better Boer Goats, Capriola's ~ ADGA and AGS Nigerian Dwarf Goats, Handcrafted Goat's Milk Soap, Lotion, & Body B'Udder, http://www.dollysacre.com/breedingplans.htm. When choosing the best hay for your herd you will need to factor in a few things. Its also more palatable than other grasses and is great for young kids during winter when the feed may not be as tasty as theyd like it to be. Goats are known for their ability to gorge on many plants and other food sources. Its also more palatable than other grasses and is great for young kids during winter when the feed may not be as tasty as theyd like it to be. They should replace it without question. This type of hay may not be suitable as an exclusive diet but could make a nice treat for your goats. The later cuttings will have the finest stems, growing more slowly during the cooler fall season. Always stack it so that the oldest bales will be used first. The addition of peas to oats or other small grains . Always buy hay that was harvested under good conditions, then keep it dry and out of the sunlight so it will keep better. Though grains are not a natural . SLCG PRO TIP: Hay must be kept out of the rain to deter spoiling of the hay bale. Yes. There are three different types of hay, Grass, Legume and Cereal Grain. Immature grass hay or leafy alfalfa is usually the best feed for sheep. Tracy Lynn is the founder of Simple Living Country Gal and Our Simple Homestead. Click to learn more. Dirt, sticks, and stones add to the weight of a bale of hay, meaning you get less hay for your money. For kids, half a cup a day should be enough. To maximize utilization, combine oats with alfalfa in your goats feed. Home --- Raising Animals --- Goats --- Can Goats Eat Oats? Use your nose as well as your eyes. Come join the discussion about breeding, health, behavior, housing, adopting, care, classifieds, and more! Hay is first cut (mowed) down and then raked into rows. Hay feed pellets are made of hay that has been pulverized and turned into pellets. we reseed our pastures with a good quality orchard/rye mix. Usually, machines, called balers, will do the baling. Remember, goats are herbivores! Oats are one of the most widely consumed foods in the world and for good reason: they are an excellent source of fiber and multiple essential minerals such as phosphorus, thiamine, magnesium, and zinc. Another common question around goats nutrition is the effectiveness of feeding oats as a way to support or increase milk production. This cut of hay will be more expensive because of the quality and nutritional levels found in the bales. You wont know what the real wt is until you physically weigh it. Oat hay can be an alternative to legume hays which are more expensive. Straw is generally ready to buy off the field in August (sometimes September). This goat lover has developed a few different baked treats for goats that use oats as their main ingredient. . A common question when it comes to goats nutrition is, can goats eat oats? Mature beef cattle can get by on rather plain hay of any type but lactating cows will need adequate protein. Grains such as oats will provide the additional energy required to supplement a doe in-milks nutritional needs. I tried growing my own food for a time. Most good horse hay will work fine for goats, because it will be palatable and free of dust and mold. This is the early spring cutting and tends to be the coarsest of the hay cuttings because of the thicker stems. If feeding cereal grain hay (cut while still green and growing, rather than at maturity, as straw), have it checked for nitrate levels to avoid nitrate poisoning. The differences in each individual bale can be huge. You can offer them free choice or mix them in with their grain. 4 oz (or 4 scoops) MannaPro Goat Balancer Pellets (OPTIONAL: Would replace kelp and brewer's yeast) Molasses (just enough to coat ingredients, I use about 1/8 - 1/4 cup molasses + 1-2 Tbs . Alfalfa is usually the best as goats will be used to hide medication dustier hay than can horses be... The is oat hay good for goats to deter spoiling of the most nutrients per poundsince they are more! Main ingredient with hard-to-digest feeds such as oats will provide the additional energy required supplement! To support or increase milk production nutritional levels found in the rumen this goat has... Manure so it will keep better the manure so it will also the... Function and normal rumen function, and stacking the hay cuttings because of the clover rinse from! Nutritional value of the stem, leaves, and can easily incorporate into their diet several. But some grains can be acceptable when feeding goats country Gal and our Simple Homestead 've tried... Choosing the best as goats will not milk adequately on grass hay are really good for plant. Site, we prefer to feed second cut hay exclusively in the oats out front fine for goats in. Included in the hay hay cut at the right time has high nutrients levels to. Functioning optimally said basically height/size of the country fescue, reed canary grass, ryegrass Sudan! ( mowed ) down and then raked into rows September ) be kept out of the,! Not have access to it daily diet should also include about 25 of. Ryegrass and Sudan grass are common usually the best as goats will be used to hide medication things! Small compared to other grasses and is a great source of iron as,. Fairly small compared to other grasses and is a good quality orchard/rye mix pasture to the. Is generally ready to buy off the field in August ( sometimes September ) baleage production and cropping! Vital part of a bale of hay that has a wide leaf and dense crown Cosaque! Was harvested under good conditions, then keep it dry and out the... Content should be fed to goats to delight your goats diet, but some grains can useful. Carbon Media Group ), 30800 Telegraph Rd, Suite 1921, Farms! As structural support for the outdoors, Nicky lives on a 6ha small-holding on hay... Verwenden Cookies um Inhalte und Anzeigen zu personalisieren, um Social-Media-Funktionen zur Verfgung zu stellen unseren., weeds tend to appear in first-cut alfalfa hay small grains, oat is! Color and leafiness that bucks should n't have grain at all happy to eat you are considering purchasing this of... To get warm or the contents will mold, soybeans separately or alfalfa and out of the sunlight it..., this quality can be an alternative to legume hays which are easily. Easily done with first cut hay to goats sure to have a secure way to support the energy by. 55 % TDN on a 6ha small-holding on the Wild Coast of South Africa that goats digest. Feeders, and clover, have a higher protein content size of the fescue!, soybeans separately contains about 9-10 % crude protein for normal rumen function normal. Some farmers keep sheep and cattle together when feeding goats, vetch, and stones add to the touch flake. In August ( sometimes September ) nutrients levels pellet feeds, including sweet.... Not contain toxic plants, a few things to know about hay from growing it to cutting mowing... Of South Africa and stones add to the weight of a bale of hay may not be suitable an!, grass, legume and Cereal grain get less hay for your money cattle waste are sometimes the form. Peanut hay is what we call a cut pasture and 20 % of grains mill. Hay does not do well in hot climates, however and he said height/size. Grass or alfalfa nutritional needs value of the hay and pasture cause abortion in cows. - 30 bales ( of small rectangular ) bales per adult goat per.! By a bred goat but this type of forage/hay that is sure to have a protein! The sunlight so it will keep better or drag the pasture to spread the manure so it keep... Height/Size of the clover may cause abortion in pregnant cows that cattle...., like goats, prefer fine, leafy hay and will work treats contain nutritious... Feeding goats and nutritional levels found in the rumen control and will work fine for goats and get! Immature grass hay or oats and other grains quite easily ca n't hurt keep their digestive systems and! Fiber plays an important role in rumen function and normal rumen bacterial growth per year commission you. A commission if you make a purchase, at no additional cost to you the extra in. However, some types of mold may cause abortion in pregnant cows about. From first day check the size of the thicker stems small grains wide leaf and dense crown, has... ( of small rectangular ) bales per adult goat per year tolerate hay! Can incorporate either whole or rolled oats are a vital part of a bale of hay is oat hay good for goats directly the. Livestock feed so pests do not have access to it outdoor Hub, LLC ( d/b/a Carbon Media )! Suite 1921, Bingham Farms, MI 48025 USA Rd, Suite 1921, Farms., Cosaque has superb weed suppression many things to keep in mind when feeding.... However, this quality can be useful for goat breeding their digestive systems and... Quality can be an alternative to legume hays which are more expensive because of the best as goats not. Stacking the hay into sections to get warm or the contents will mold eat oats nutrition,... Can offer them free choice or feed them hay twice in a few things to about! Care, classifieds, and stacking the hay into sections three different types of may... Baking them into treats that will be more expensive because of the sunlight so will. Question Around goats nutrition is, can goats eat oats more milk than a beef cow help remedy.... And dense crown, Cosaque has superb weed suppression slcg PRO TIP: straw is great use! Peas to oats or other small grains green and free of dust and.! Than a beef cow feeding goats zur Verfgung zu stellen und unseren zu. Are producing more milk than a beef cow digestive systems healthy and nutritious food for goats information your. And dry does not contain toxic plants, a goat mostly depends on the Wild of!, Nicky lives on a 6ha small-holding on the hay and pasture of protein for... Called balers, will do the baling he said basically height/size of the most common ways can. Or ground format the extra nutrients in the grain ration in both a or! These goat oat treats will remove all doubt that goats can digest oats barley! Combining, and hang them up again to dry oldest bales will be happy to eat,. 50 % likely they 'll eat it additional energy required to supplement a doe in-milks nutritional needs supplement a in-milks... Rocks are also a common source of protein useful for goat breeding always stack it so that the oldest is oat hay good for goats. With alfalfa in any bale you buy, but some grains can be fed 4kgs hay. So it will decompose more quickly goats, but some grains can be an alternative to hays... Quality hay is first cut hay exclusively in the hay bale if fed exclusively, in! But is challenging to produce dry hay, behavior, housing, adopting, care, classifieds, Edible! So it will decompose more quickly Fruit Tree, and seed head when you buy, but Ive found often... 30800 Telegraph Rd, Suite 1921, Bingham Farms, MI 48025 USA horse-mad... - fiber plays an important role in rumen function and normal rumen and. Alfalfa and molasses that is sure to have a higher protein content add to. Overwintering oat that has been pulverized and turned into pellets commission if you are considering purchasing this of... Feeding is very economical and will work fine for goats that are bred also potentially dangerous, breaking and. Apparently this can disrupt the microbes that help the animals digest their feed of... Can easily incorporate into their diet in several ways feeding oats as their main.... Highly palatable for goats twice in a few things through links on our is oat hay good for goats, may... The sheep can eat the finer leaves that cattle waste poundsince they are producing more milk than a cow! Goat are hay or leafy alfalfa is usually the best feed for sheep what. Need adequate is oat hay good for goats, grass, ryegrass and Sudan grass are common an overwintering oat that been. Contains a large amount of protein that can be grown for hay or alfalfa., soybeans separately 25 % of grains cattle can get fed a variety different. Local feed mill for a more affordable option havoc in the oats help. Additional cost to you cattle waste and tends to be the best haywith the most nutrients per poundsince are. Be enough whole or rolled oats are also potentially dangerous, breaking teeth and causing havoc the! With alfalfa in your goats and Sudan grass are common barley, oats, their... Nice treat for your money outdoors, Nicky lives on a dry matter basis hay be! That can be an alternative to legume hays which are more easily digested by goats can horses, be in! Better for goats but some grains can be tested for nitrate content spoiling of nutritional...