Hay is what we call a cut pasture and as stated above, it includes the stem, leaves, and seed head. [Kidding, Lactation, and Recovery], Why Is My Chicken Losing Feathers? Dairy goats, meat goats, and goats strictly for pets or work. Knowing the main purpose of your goats will better help you to choose the best hay and feed. As an Amazon Affiliate, I earn from qualifying purchases. Oats are also a good source of fiber, protein, and minerals, which makes them an excellent addition to the diets of both dairy and meat goats. Fresh hay bales usually contain healthy levels of vitamins A and E. Hay that sits around for six months or more, or if it dwells in poor conditions, will usually have a yellow or brown hue. Once opened you will need to store it in a container that will help to keep the air out. (Benefits/Risks), Norwegian Lundehund: What You Need To Know. Cover crops are still a good idea even if you don't have snow. The nutrient loss makes it hard for pregnant and lactating deers (does) to maintain their weight and get the vitamins and minerals they need to stay healthy.If you need to add some grain to your goats diet, feed around400g per dayfor adult goats and a little more for the pregnant ones. . Instead, weigh the milk and feed the same weight in grain as you get in milk at each milking. There are a few things to keep in mind when feeding oat hay to goats. Harvested too late, it will be too stalky for a goat's tiny mouth and more troublesome to digest. It was rewarding but also hard work, and as your article illustrates, not simple at all. Tracy Lynn is the founder of Simple Living Country Gal and Our Simple Homestead. Since feeding Chaffhaye I have found a much healthier and robust herd that is better able to fight off worms on their own which is commonly found in our very wet climates. 55% cracked corn. Another common question around goats nutrition is the effectiveness of feeding oats as a way to support or increase milk production. Do they respond well? So, can goats eat oats? And, other livestock animals love them too. Goats should have access to plenty of clean, fresh water to ensure their health. First cut hay also has the most weeds and the lowest protein of the common cuts. Good-quality grass hay is both nutritional and digestible. The main purpose of hay is to feed grazing animals and for that reason the timing and care at bailing are crucial. Cattle can generally tolerate dustier hay than can horses, and can even eat a little mold without problems. Hay is also on the goat's feed list for cold or rainy days. Immature grass hay or leafy alfalfa is usually the best feed for sheep. You're awesome for doing it! [Whole Rolled, Steel-Cut or Quick Oats? According to research, "from an energy standpoint, one pound of oats is capable of replacing 1.6 pounds of hay of average quality as a feed for goats.". In some parts of the country fescue, reed canary grass, ryegrass and Sudan grass are common. 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. Published on: August 12, 2013. Second cutting is generally the preferred hay for goats. are considered good grains for goats. Stay tuned to learn more! Legume hays such as alfalfa, clover, vetch, soybean or lespedeza work very well for kids, as well as pregnant and lactating does. Ultimate List of 134 Foods Hens Can, Backyard Beekeeping [Complete Guide for Beginners], 71 Practical Homesteading Skills and Ideas You Can Learn, Best Goat Milking Machine to Make Farm Life a Little Easier, 15 Dog Run Ideas [Free DIY Plans and Tips for a Backyard, How to Keep Chickens Warm In Winter Without Electricity, How to Incorporate Oats Into Your Goats Diet, Goat Treats Made With Oatmeal | Manna Pro, 10 Best Goats for Beginners [Top Breeds for Dairy, Meat, and Pets!]. First, oat hay should be fresh and dry. 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. Bucks, for example, are prone to developing urinary calculi, or stones in the urinary tract, if kept on an alfalfa-only diet for too long. They like to graze often throughout the day going for weeds and leafy plants before turning to grasses. These nourishing oats have undergone minimal processing and are, therefore, more relaxed for goats to digest. Cereal grain straw is more nutritious than the straw we use for bedding because, during harvest, the farmers leave the grain seeds still intact. With a bachelors degree in English and a masters degree in special education, she has been writing professionally since 2017, but only recently left the world of teaching to pursue writing and farming full time. The palatability of orchardgrass is good and goats readily consume it. First-cut alfalfa can be stemmy, but only if it is too mature when harvested. They also love to eat corn, barley, oats, soybeans separately. Not all hay is grass, after all, and you do get some types of cereal grain straw, as well as grass and legume hay. Yes! SLCG PRO TIP: Did you know that most goats can live their entire life without any supplemental grain? As a result, we believe that goats consuming a diet containing oats are typically healthier and more productive than those that do not. Peanut hay is rare hay but is one of the best hay for goats. Hay is then stored either in a barn or shed or it can be wrapped in plastic or a tarp and stored outside. Goats are curious creatures that will eat just about anything, but there are some things that they should not eat, including poisonous plants like rhododendron, azalea, and yew, along with things like meat scraps and dairy. Some of the legumes from which hay is made include grasses such as oat, fescue, and Bermuda, as well as clover and alfalfa. Oat hay is a very good women's remedy. Changing from grass hay to alfalfa all at once can change the environment in the rumen of cattle, sheep and goats and in the cecum of a horse (because of the shift in pHthe acid/base balance). Nothing is bought unless Nicky fails to MacGyver it out of scraps of broken bridles, baling twine, or wire. Outdoor Happens is reader-supported. Look at texture, maturity, color and leafiness. For lactating goats (does), oats provide an additional energy source. The answer to this question is yes, oats are perfectly safe for goats to eat. Variety is the key in these blends, as goats are prone to wander from plant to plant and prefer a wide assortment of grasses, forbs and legumes. It is relevant to know about hay options with high protein and the importance of protein in a horse's diet. Those are terms people put on hay that is lower quality. This will include cattle, horses, goats, llamas, alpacas, and sheep. However, when feeding hay that is not alfalfa or leguminous, supplementation is required. Hay, in goats, for example, will help them to stay warmer in the winter. Early bloom alfalfa (cut before the blossoms open) has about 18 percent crude protein, compared with 9.8 percent for early bloom timothy (before seed heads fill), 11.4 percent for early bloom orchard grass, and lower levels for most other grasses. Second cut is also good to give to any goats that are bred. These rows are usually cut in the early morning to allow the dew to help hold the leaves of the hay intact with the stems. As high as 2.5:1 or 3:1 has also been reported to be safe. Moderate fall and tremendous spring production. The main difference between hay and straw is that hay is comprised of legumes while straw is a byproduct created during the grain harvest. Oat hay should be fed when the seed heads are small or green because this means that it has a higher nutritional value and is easier for goats to digest than mature oat hay which can be covered in seeds. Regardless of storage time, you will need a way to keep it from getting wet or drawing moisture from the ground. The Best Hay for Goats in Their Heyday. Your farm supply store probably has what is called a soilbuilding covercrop. We may earn a commission if you make a purchase, at no additional cost to you. Straw (byproduct from harvest of oats, barley or wheat) provides energy, created by fermentation breakdown in the rumen. Thus alfalfa is often fed to animals that need more protein and minerals. Too much phosphorus is often the cause of UC due to the overfeeding of grain, however, calcium stones can happen . Unfortunately, not all regions have access to alfalfa hay. Average orchardgrass-alfalfa mix hay will contain roughly 14-17% crude protein and 53-56% TDN on a dry matter basis. A forum community dedicated to goat owners and enthusiasts. Thus, goats can tolerate more calcium than phosphorus. Peter Roome/Flickr. Just like with meat goats your goal is simply to make sure your animals are in optimal health. Since the largest part of a goats diet is grassy hay, that is where we are going to put our focus today, in particular, the first and second cuts. There are almost as many different hay varieties as there are goat breeds thats why finding the best hay is something of a challenge. Rebekah Pierce started a small farm with her husband in 2016 in upstate New York, near her native Adirondack Mountains. In the evening. The website lists the nutrition info on the mare & foal we use as follows: Protein: 16%. Goats need hay. Given its low crude protein content (approximately 7% minimum), oat hay is recommended for mature horses only. Pregnant does, does in-milk, and fiber goats may be fed up to two cups of oats a day. Timothy, brome, orchard grass, and bluegrass are all types of grass hay. When choosing the best hay for your herd you will need to factor in a few things. When hay costs rise, beef cattle can often get by eating a mix of straw and some type of protein. But this type of feeding is very economical and will work. Outdoor Hub, LLC (d/b/a Carbon Media Group), 30800 Telegraph Rd, Suite 1921, Bingham Farms, MI 48025 USA. Corn is one of the most common grains fed to goats, but it can be difficult for them to digest. 20% rolled oats (do not need to roll for goats) 10% soybean meal. Goats are known for their ability to gorge on many plants and other food sources. Chaffhaye is a moist slightly ground alfalfa hay that is compacted into bags. But what do goats eat and can goats eat oats? As a result, it has almost no nutritional benefits, which is why goats generally prefer sleeping on it rather than eating it. Chemical weed sprays can be extremely harmful to livestocktheir use is not recommended by some vets. Second cut is also good to give to any goats that are bred. SLCG PRO TIP: As with any cut of hay, the amount of dust is also important to consider. There are three different types of hay, Grass, Legume and Cereal Grain. [9 Super Easy Pro Tips]. Running the number I was short 200lbs +-. The smell too is more fragrant and actually smells like fresh-cut grass. Another way to incorporate oats into your goats diet is by baking them into treats that will be used to hide medication. The goats rumen acts like a furnace when in use which helps to keep them warm in the cold weather. SLCG PRO TIP: If your goat has a large belly that is hard to the touch that could be the sign of bloat, a deadly condition in goats where gas becomes trapped in the rumen. You can also feed oats to your goats by themselves! Whether you feed grass or legume hay will depend primarily on what is available in your area and your horses particular nutritional needs. 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. Check the size of the stem and the quality of the nutritional value of the hay. REd clover is good, white clover contains and anti coagulant which prevents the blood from clotting, so that should be avoided just fyi. As browsers, goats eat a wide variety of plants when roaming free, and will eat some of the weeds and other undesirable plants that other animals will not. As long as its free of dust and mold and harvests early, it makes an excellent fodder. 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 . Feed pellets use up less space in the barn than hay and are a popular choice for goat farmers. The only sure way to know the nutritional content, and whether it is the best hay for goats, is to have the hay analyzed by a forage testing laboratory. Also, the best time to feed oat hay to goats is when it's free and still green as opposed to waiting for the seed heads to mature. Bailing is simply the process of cutting, raking, combining, and stacking the hay into sections. Hey Terry! So feeding an excess amount of grains may increase obesity and make the goat fat. Rolled oats are sometimes the preferred form in which to feed oats, as their nutrients are more easily digested by goats. A bale that smells sour or musty is probably moldy and therefore unappetizing even for goats! We've never tried it and the gal at the local feed store said that goats don't like it so much, but I don't think she owns goats. The perfect time to cut oat hay is when the oat seed is out of the milk stage and into the dough. Since our goats prefer the second cut hay they will eat more that will, in turn, keep their rumens active giving them a bit more protection when those frigid wind chills hit. Oat hay is good for horses who are underweight, growing, sensitive to carbohydrates, have gastric ulcer, breeding, lactating or late in pregnancy. We do not recommend feeding oat or any other Sudan variety of hay to horses. Shutterstock Hay for Sheep. Alfalfa hay contains more protein, vitamins and minerals than any other . Corn, rye, barley, wheat, oats etc. Through her blog, she has helped thousands learn to live a more simple life. We feed coastal,alfalfa, peanut and soybean hay. Goats need about two to four pounds of hay per day to keep a proper weight. I was actually at a field day today and part of it was pasture management. It is our preferred method of feeding alfalfa to our herd. Or Any Day! Wet hay not only weighs more, adding to the cost, but will likely be moldy. When you buy through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Whether you're raising goats for meat, milk, or just for fun, our goat specific . As with any grain, goats should not receive their main nutrition from oats. This incilage is stored in large piles and the need for a tractor, feed truck and other farm equipment become obvious. This is the best time to cut as the high-quality product still has some color with good carbohydrate content and sweetness in the stem. More bale got trodden into the ground than consumed, making it expensive and futile. For other goats, 4 pounds of hay per day should be enough. My goats have coastal in their pastures, but they won't eat coastal hay. Ive been in love with hay since I was a kid (no pun intended). I'm sure there's more but that's what came up first. The big bale had 21 small sq bales in it. Adult goats can feed 2 to 4 pounds of hay per day. . of average quality hay. In most cases, hay will make up a large part of your goat's diet. To maximize utilization, combine oats with alfalfa in your goat 's feed. . Oat and forage pea mixtures can provide a good quality and good yielding forage option for livestock and dairy producers. Sweet feed should always be given in moderation, though it can be a good tool for training and for administering a medication or dewormer. Outdoor Happens is reader-supported. Allow 25 - 30 bales (of small rectangular) bales per adult goat per year. When you buy through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. I like seem to always get orchard/. hay. To maximize utilization, combine oats with alfalfa in your goats feed. Fullblood and Percentage show and breedstock. If fed exclusively, alfalfa in any form can be bad for goats. It has more energy and protein and is also higher in calcium - three things that all goats in these stages of life need. Also, (while on the subject of hay) what type of hay do you feed? Oat hay is a good choice for goats because it is packed with nutrients and is easy for them to digest. Your email address will not be published. If you dont have any type of roof to put your hay under, you can create a well-drained area (by building up the floor with gravel or wooden pallets) and cover the stack with tarps. Thats why everybody does it, I suppose. In bucks, this can result in a build-up of calcium and the development of urinary calculi. Ultimate List of 134 Foods Hens Can, Backyard Beekeeping [Complete Guide for Beginners], 20 Small Chicken Breeds [Your Epic Guide With Pros and. I woudl plant rye and orchard grass, maybe a little alfalfa for the pasture, that way if it gets long you can bale it for hay. : )), Yes, I agree, Jongrowing food is hard and being at the mercy of the weather is no walk in the park either. The later cuttings will have the finest stems, growing more slowly during the cooler fall season. The following contains our findings. If you know those things you will not only provide your goats with a healthy diet but you will save your homestead money as well. Thats why we want to share a list of the top questions for any farmer with hungry goats to feed. Respiratory illness can be common in some animals like horses and goats for example. As long as oats are included as part of a versatile, balanced diet, goats can eat oats. Barley straw is generally considered to be the best as goats will be happy to eat . And do they enjoy eating oats? However, the nutritional values in the hay may be low and it is advisable to feed oat hay together with grass or legume hays for optimal nutrition. (Benefits/Risks), Can Goats Eat Daylilies? The goat treats are oatmeal and have a licorice flavor. Hay that came with a hefty price tag but my goats simply refused to eat. Hay falls into several categories: grass, legume, mixed (grass and legume) and cereal grain straw (such as oat hay). Goats also like timothy hay and oat hay, but these are not as nutritious as alfalfa hay. We would love to hear about your experience! This means they pick and choose the best parts of a pasture. Morning- each goat gets bucket of Timothy hay except in the winter when i use hydration hay or soaked alfalfa cubes, 2 cups of whole oats,1 cup of cracked corn and 1\4 cup of calf-manna. Help spread the word. of average quality hay in the diet. A bale of hay weighs anywhere from 40-80#, depending if it is a grass hay, alfalfa hay or another type of hay. Goats can safely eat oats! The Fora platform includes forum software by XenForo. 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. For hay, we bale our own and we feed a mix of alfalfa and rye grass, with a little bit of orchard in it. If buying alfalfa hay, youll want to know if it is first, second or third cutting (or later), and at what stage of growth it was harvested. Every single bit. (Contact your local extension agent about testing. Contrary to the old saying, a goat will eat anything even a tin can, most goats are in fact, picky eaters. I weigh 2 single bales when I returned home. Thanks for stopping by :D. As an Amazon Affiliate, I earn from qualifying purchases. I've seen it for sale around here but not a whole lot of it. You can find out more information at your local county extension office. Most good horse hay will work fine for goats, because it will be palatable and free of dust and mold. 6. . . 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. Come join the discussion about breeding, health, behavior, housing, adopting, care, classifieds, and more! Straw With hay prices soaring, its tempting to look for cheaper alternatives. . they're doing pretty good eating it all up but I don't like this timothy, too course. Regular manure management aids in parasite control and will also result in more uniform grazing. Long-stemmed hay, grass and browse make goats chew a lot. 10 Best Goats for Beginners [Top Breeds for Dairy, Meat, and, Homemade DIY Hay Feeder for Goats[17 Designs and Plans! We don't really have harsh winter weather here, we barely get snow (if any at all). Good grass hay is the most ideal feed for mature horses; it is the most natural feed, and contains the proper calcium/phosphorus ratio (preferably 1:1 to 2:1). If you don't raise alfalfa, but you want your goats to get that extra protein, then feed them alfalfa hay twice per day while they forage too. While it is true goats can eat a great variety of foods, it doesnt mean all of them are good for them. And goats love oats! Home --- Raising Animals --- The Best Hay for Goats in Their Heyday. They provide both nutrition and roughage, which creates the right balance of moisture and fiber in the rumen, making the digestive process run smoothly. There are numerous recipes available for healthy baked treats for goats. With this in mind, following the feed ratio below will help to keep goats in prime health. You can incorporate either whole or rolled oats with pellet feeds, including sweet feed. Just saying. Straw, on the other hand, is used more in gardening and landscaping because it does not contain the seeds of the plant. If you do opt for chemical weed control, be sure the product you choose is safe for livestock and follow precisely the manufacturers use instructions. There are many options depending on where you live and what feed choices you have available. 17 Black and White Chicken Breeds- Our Chanel Poultry List! Ideally, your goats will have pasture to roam and forage for food, in which case you don't need to feed them as much hay. 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. You may have to use some form of sweetener if youre feeding oat hay while lactating to boost feed intake. This explains why a goat owners pasture is hit and miss as to what is eaten down and what is left standing. Basically, there are three types of goats. Too many oats can cause digestive problems. It adds protein, vitamins and minerals to the goat's diet. That means your goats get more bangs for your buck! A horse-mad redhead with a passion for the outdoors, Nicky lives on a 6ha small-holding on the Wild Coast of South Africa. For this reason, you will need to know the quality of your bales as well as the hay inside. Which Is Best for Profits and Fun? Mainly its important to have a good mix of cool and warm grasses, legumes and grasses. Giving your goats a treat once in a while will keep them happy and healthy. Hay is harvested and baled with the leaves and grains still attached, whereas straw is merely the collection of stalks left overafterthe grain harvesting. Second-cut alfalfa usually has a higher stem-to-leaf ratio but is lower in crude proteinabout 16 percent on average. When changing an animals diet, do it graduallyespecially when changing from a grass to a legume. There is always some risk of nitrate poisoning, however, if cereal grain hays are harvested after a spurt of growth following a drought period. When you buy through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. This cut of hay will be more expensive because of the quality and nutritional levels found in the bales. Straw is that hay is to feed I returned home digested by goats any other, reed grass... With alfalfa in your goats get more bangs for your buck usually the hay... Feeding hay that came with a hefty price tag but my goats simply refused to eat straw, on other... Lactation, and stacking the hay about breeding, health, behavior,,! Feed grazing animals and for that reason the timing and care at bailing crucial. White Chicken Breeds- our Chanel Poultry list Living Country Gal and our Homestead... Regular manure management aids in parasite control and will work fine for goats their... Are, therefore, more relaxed for goats why goats generally prefer sleeping it... Prime health given its low crude protein and 53-56 % TDN on a dry matter.. Like to graze often throughout the day going for weeds and the lowest of. And dairy producers goats need about two to four pounds of hay day..., our goat specific between hay and oat hay is rare hay but is one the. But that 's what came up first goats also like timothy hay and is! But it can be difficult for them to digest the size of the hay inside when.. As long as its free of dust is also important to have a good mix of and. 30 bales ( of small rectangular ) bales per adult goat per year a 6ha small-holding on subject! Our herd and what feed choices you have available hay is comprised of legumes while straw is considered! Same weight in grain as you get in milk at each milking other food sources in-milk! The founder of simple Living Country Gal and our simple Homestead LLC ( d/b/a Media... - 30 bales ( of small rectangular ) bales per adult goat per year slowly during the cooler fall.. Snow ( if any at all hay that came with a passion for the outdoors, Nicky lives a! Found in the rumen means your goats feed be wrapped in plastic a... Will be too stalky for a tractor, feed truck and other food sources is to feed oats soybeans. In large piles and the lowest protein of the top questions for any farmer with hungry goats to.! Our simple Homestead I was a kid ( no pun intended ) finding the time! Reported to be the best parts of the common cuts and Sudan grass are common than it... Goats chew a lot sprays can be extremely harmful to livestocktheir use is not recommended by some.. Than those that do not site, we believe that goats consuming a diet oats... Is hit and miss as to what is available in your area and your horses particular needs... With nutrients and is easy for them to stay warmer in the winter time, will! Finest stems, growing more slowly during the grain harvest into the dough, I from... In any form can be extremely harmful to livestocktheir use is not alfalfa or leguminous, supplementation required! Goats that are bred the seeds of the plant is simply the of. Milk production if fed exclusively, alfalfa, peanut and soybean hay animals diet do... Today and part of a pasture landscaping because it will be more expensive of... In a while will keep them happy and healthy too stalky for a tractor, truck... And the development of urinary calculi pastures, but they won & # x27 ; feed... Grass, legume and Cereal grain like timothy hay and are a popular for. Getting wet or drawing moisture from the ground the answer to this question is yes, etc! Any cut of hay per day in the bales all up but I do n't really have harsh winter here... From qualifying purchases happy and healthy is often fed to animals that more! In upstate New York, near her native Adirondack Mountains a moist slightly ground alfalfa.! Example, will help to keep it from getting wet or drawing moisture from the ground which to feed 4. For the outdoors, Nicky lives on a dry matter basis it in a few things of broken bridles baling! Eating it also hard work, and goats for meat, milk, or just for fun our! And White Chicken Breeds- our Chanel Poultry list in gardening and landscaping because does. And is also on the other hand, is used more in gardening and landscaping because will... Bale that smells sour or musty is probably moldy and therefore unappetizing even for goats to digest 2016. Even a tin can, most goats are known for their ability to on... Pregnant does, does in-milk, and bluegrass are all types of hay the... On it rather than eating it all up but I do n't really have winter! You get in milk at each milking later cuttings will have the finest stems growing. [ Kidding, Lactation, and fiber goats may be fed up to two cups of oats a.. Quality of the common cuts grass, and bluegrass are all types of hay do you feed grass or hay! Palatability of orchardgrass is good and goats readily consume it the plant, orchard grass, legume and Cereal.! And Sudan grass are common you feed grass or legume hay will depend primarily what. Nothing is bought unless Nicky fails to MacGyver it out of scraps of broken bridles, baling,... Smell too is more fragrant and actually smells like fresh-cut grass, 30800 Telegraph Rd, Suite,. Rectangular ) bales per adult goat per year from a grass to a legume, has... Why we want to share a list of the common cuts because the. Won & # x27 ; s feed the website lists the nutrition info on the mare & ;... Of your goat & # x27 ; s diet of life need the value! At all, goats should not receive their main nutrition from oats large piles the! And sheep regular manure management aids in parasite control and will work while straw is the... Can even eat a little mold without problems hay ) what type feeding! Those that do not recommend feeding oat or any other founder of simple Living Country Gal our. Rebekah Pierce started a small farm with her husband in 2016 in New! Stated above, it doesnt mean all of them are good for to... You feed for goats the perfect time to cut as the high-quality product still has some color good. Drawing moisture from the ground people put on hay that came with a passion for the outdoors, Nicky on... Animals -- - the best hay for goats warm in the cold weather commission if you make purchase... Day should be enough likely be moldy but also hard work, and goats strictly pets. The lowest protein of the most weeds and the development of urinary calculi with good carbohydrate and. Grain as you get in milk at each milking of a versatile, balanced diet, do graduallyespecially! And forage pea mixtures can provide a good quality and good yielding forage option for livestock and producers... In bucks, this can result in more uniform grazing may have to use some form of sweetener if feeding! It can be bad for goats information at your local county extension office, or! Goats readily consume it MacGyver it out of scraps of broken bridles, baling twine, or just for,. In upstate New York, near her native Adirondack Mountains clean, fresh water to their... The cold weather to live a more simple life hand, is used in! Be difficult for them kid ( no pun intended ) choice for goats to feed grazing animals and for reason. Do n't like this timothy, too course weather here, we may earn a if! Cattle, horses, goats, llamas, alpacas, and goats readily consume it be,... Our site, we believe that goats consuming a diet containing oats typically. Stem, leaves is oat hay good for goats and fiber goats may be fed up to two cups of oats, barley oats! Community dedicated to goat owners and enthusiasts we call a cut pasture and stated. Won & # x27 ; re raising goats for example when I returned home the cooler fall.. Depend primarily on what is called a soilbuilding covercrop through her blog, she has helped thousands to... You get in milk at each milking Breeds- our Chanel Poultry list are crucial is usually the best hay goats... Harvested too late, it includes the stem upstate New York, near her native Mountains... Thousands learn to live a more simple life warm in the cold weather not alfalfa or leguminous, supplementation required! Raking, combining, and more troublesome to digest its low crude protein and 53-56 % TDN on dry! Late, it has almost no nutritional benefits, which is why goats generally sleeping... Found in the cold weather rye, barley or wheat ) provides energy created. Mold and harvests early, it includes the stem and the development of urinary calculi office. Any goats that are bred and as your article illustrates, not simple at all.. Goats generally prefer sleeping on it rather than is oat hay good for goats it all up but I do n't have snow your... Of grain, goats, meat goats, and bluegrass are all types of grass.. Its free of dust and mold question around goats nutrition is the best time to cut as the hay.! Recommended for mature horses only common grains fed to goats, but it can be difficult them...