Is alfalfa good for billy goats?
Alfalfa is one of the best sources of calcium, which means it’s great for fast-growing, young kids (baby goats), does in the last trimester of pregnancy and does in milk. It is not so good for dry does, bucks (intact male goats) or wethers because they don’t need that much calcium.
Why is alfalfa bad for goats?
Is alfalfa hay safe? All goat owners out there should know that, because alfalfa is rich in proteins and calcium, it should only be fed to goats in certain situations. Vets point out that this type of hay should be given to pregnant, sick or debilitated animals.
Do goats eat alfalfa hay?
Our goats always have access to grass hay. Alfalfa is a very rich fodder made of the dehydrated legume alfalfa. Its protein content is about double that of grass hay. Alfalfa protein is around 16%, which is similar to that of most manufactured grain blends.
Can goats eat alfalfa and timothy hay?
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). Hay grown locally in Western WA does not provide the correct nutrients necessary for goats. Timothy hay is also an option for both wethers and does.
Will alfalfa hurt goats?
Alfalfa hay is also popular for feeding goats and has more protein, vitamins, and minerals than grass hays, typically. It can be a good choice for feeding milking goats as it has more protein, energy and calcium.
Is alfalfa toxic to goats?
Alfalfa and clover are a great source of calcium and protein for lactating female cattle, sheep, and goats. However, alfalfa and clover both carry a high amount of estrogen and calcium that can be toxic to male ruminants and non lactating female ruminants.
Can goats eat straight alfalfa hay?
Forage can be a grass, or a legume such as alfalfa. Each goat needs about two to four pounds of hay per day (3-4% of body weight in pounds), which can be fed free choice or twice a day. Alfalfa hay is also popular for feeding goats and has more protein, vitamins, and minerals than grass hays, typically.
Can goats eat too much alfalfa?
We started using alfalfa pellets years ago when we had goats that could finish all their grain faster than we could milk them. If goats get too much grain, they’ll get diarrhea and a host of other health problems. They just slurp up the grain like a five-year-old eating ice cream. …
Can you feed goats too much alfalfa?
Can alfalfa pellets replace hay for goats?
Can alfalfa pellets or cubes totally replace hay? If you are asking about sheep, goats, and cattle, the answer is no. Ruminants cannot live on a diet of only alfalfa pellets.
Can goats eat alfalfa hay everyday?
Is alfalfa bad for wether goats?
Goats need a calcium to phosphorus ratio of 2:1 up to 4:1. The best thing to do is feed your wethers a grassy alfalfa hay (this is a mix or orchard grass and alfalfa), a loose goat mineral (we like Sweetlix Meat Maker) and NO GRAIN.
Is it OK to feed goats alfalfa hay?
Alfalfa is not bad for goats, in fact, it’s good for them. I feed all of my breeding stock and kids, alfalfa. Pet goats and wethers may not necessarily need the alfalfa, but adding some in their diet will give them nutritional benefits. Bloat can happen with any overeating or rich feed. Use caution when feeding a hot hay like alfalfa.
Is it OK for goats to eat Timothy Hays?
The chopped hays do provide them enough fiber for their rumens. If they are just pets, that will be fine. But they still need a good loose goat mineral. The Timothy is very low in protein and rather unbalanced for goats.
What can you use as a substitute for hay for a goat?
If you are a goat owner, you have probably heard about Chaffhaye. This product is a combination of various types of forages and it can be used as a substitute for hay.
What kind of grass is good for goats?
Timothy is common in northern areas, whereas brome, orchardgrass, and Bermuda grass are more common in the south. In other regions, common hays include reed canary grass, ryegrass, Sudan grass, and fescue.