how many flakes of hay per goat

In late pregnancy, make sure a doe has ample hay or forage along with her higher grain levels, to prevent such issues as pregnancy toxemia or acidosis (carbohydrate fermentation disorder of the rumen). The flakes are the easily divided sections that form when a square bale is picked up by the baler. While the hay-for-winter equation has many variables–waste, size/weight of bales, weather, available pasture, etc–you can always start with the rule of thumb (100 square bales per winter per large animal or 100 square bales per winter per upwards of half-dozen small animals) to at least get a fingerhold on what you would need to provide when planning to bring animals on to a farm. That is why we have to vaccinate for over eatting disease. Pellets are convenient if you have limited space for hay storage or if you want to mix it with grain. Answer: It all depends on the number of goats and breeding. I don't feed alfafa hay, it can cause bloat if they eat to much. This is one post of many … Legume/grass mix? Goat Farming Questions: How many acres do you need per goat? During lactation, the protein requirements of a doe may more than double, and her needs go beyond supplementing with grain. Thirty-six pounds of hay is close to one small square bale of hay per day, taking into consideration some waste. (With sheep, I figure 1 lb of grain = 2 lbs of hay). How much do goats eat? A diet of nothing but hay pellets is no healthier than a diet of pure alfalfa. But during times when goats can’t browse, they must be fed. However, a diet of nothing but alfalfa diet is “too much of a good thing.” By itself, alfalfa is too high in calcium and protein for healthy goats and should be limited to sick, pregnant, or debilitated animals. Sodium deficiency drive goats to eat dirt or lick the ground. Feeding by scoops or flakes will work as long as know the weight for the volume of feed that is … On average, different types of common hays have the following nutritional analyses: The bare minimum protein requirement for maintaining mature, healthy animals is 7% crude protein, though 8% is better. Originally published in the May/June 2020 issue of Goat Journal and regularly vetted for accuracy. Alfalfa, for example, contains an impressive list of nutrients. Too many times the bales are longer than 36 inches, and like wilson explained, that doesn't really work well on the balewagon when you get 3 in a row. I have ten goats, and they go through a bale of hay each day. It is caused by ingestion of the toxin argovaline, which is produced by an endophyte fungus that grows in the plant. Edit: they are 3/4 nubian and 1/4 sanaan. I feed Purina Show Goat pellets (1cup per goat a day) and all the GRASS hay they want. Hay can come in concentrate form, i.e. Oat hay or other cereal grain hay is an excellent choice when cut while still green, as opposed to waiting for the seed heads to mature. (Think of them as “living weedwhackers” rather than “living lawnmowers.”). JavaScript is disabled. A combination of alfalfa and grass hays, as well as a proper grain mix, will provide caprines with the necessary protein and roughage to stimulate the digestive action of the rumen. You free feed them you are gonna spend a fortune in hay. If a good range isn't available, dry grass hay … Macro-minerals are depicted on a percentage basis, and micro-minerals are shown as ppm (parts per million). If fed dry, pellets will add volume in the rumen as soon as they get in contact with the stomach fluids. As browsers (as opposed to grazers), goats eat a wide variety of plants from weeds to woody shrubs. Goats instinctively choose the most nutritious plants available. Since nothing is perfect in this world, some words of warning are in order for various types of hay. They never stop eating. A field having better pasture may able to accommodate about 8 to 9 goats per acre. The prices of hay vary with quality and location. As with all things, balance is key when it comes to caprine nutrition. How much hay 14 feb 2017 in fact, goats should not eat a diet of entirely fresh grass. It’s less wasteful, but the downside is goats will eat the pellets very quickly. The same "size" bale of grass hay will usually be baled with fewer flakes per bale because the total bale weight will be less than the alfalfa bale and they try to make the flakes an equivalent weight to make it easier for feeding horses. They are the sixth and most expensive type of farm animal unlocked in the game. Goats are farm animals that produce goat milk. A lack of boron can create arthritis and joint problems. Example: a large pony weighs 800 lb (365 kg) and could be expected to consume 12-16 lb (5.5-7 kg) of feed per day, with 8-12 lb (3.6-5 kg) of that forage. Fortunately, hays and forages provide a partial supply of the necessary minerals. But what is the best hay for goats? Bucks can get by with 8% crude protein (60% TDN). Home Forums > General Category > Dairy Goat Info > Hay amount to feed kids Discussion in ' Dairy Goat Info ' started by SherrieC , Aug 21, 2012 . (TDN is directly related to digestible energy and is often calculated based on ADF.). Each goat needs about two to four pounds of hay per day, minus what they might forage on pasture. A zinc shortage causes stiff joints, low interest in breeding, skin problems, excessive salivating, and deformed hooves. pellets. When you enter the goat world, it seems that everyone has an opinion on what is the “best” way to feed. Caprines still need enough fiber for their rumens to operate smoothly, and large amounts of pellets that sit in the rumen without being brought up as cud may cause long-term health issues. As long as it is digestible, a wide variety of plants and hays will be consumed. They are juvenile whethers, approximately 8.5 months old. Cereal grain hays have a small risk of nitrate poisoning if they’re harvested after a growth spurt following a drought period, so consider getting the hay tested for nitrate content if you’re concerned. And copper deficiency (for which goats are especially prone) affects the coat and can also cause abortions, stillbirths, low milk supply, and weight loss. I buy second-cutting hay (really good quality) for $6.00 and first-cutting hay … Good quality dust-free hay should be used to provide at least 40% (by weight) of your goat’s total feed and should be available for them at all times, summer and winter. ... A mini can eat 1 to 2 flakes of hay a day and doesn't need grain. Since dietary needs vary from goat to goat and from season to season, when it comes to concentrates, the eye of the master fattens the goat. We currently have 6 goats, they are Nigerian Dwarfs. Three pounds of hay for each one hundred pounds of weight equals out to quite a bit of hay for a finished steer. Anything below 6% reflects reduced feed intake and dietary digestibility. Let us know in the comments below! Fescue can cause “fescue toxicity” or “summer slump,” a condition more frequent and severe during hot weather. This will help you make a plan and to know how much hay to buy per year for your herd. A pregnant goat needs an “ascending plane of nutrition.”  A doe’s nutritional level should be increased about six weeks ahead of kidding, by which point she will have sufficient nutrients for lactation. Pellets have about the same protein as hay, but less fiber. This number of days may not correspond to the actual winter months, but is actually the number of days that the animals will have no pasture to graze. Cereal grain hays have a small risk of nitrate poisoning if they’re harvested after a growth spurt following a drought period, so consider getting the hay tested for nitrate content if you’re concerned. Goats must be placed in goat yards to be purchased. 13 14 15. Caprine owners may view their animals as severely deficient in many critical minerals, when in fact they may lack only a few core elements. Total Digestible Nutrients (TDN) must also be factored in, which is the sum of the digestible fiber, protein, lipid, and carbohydrate components of a feedstuff or diet. Since alfalfa has more protein, vitamins, calcium, and minerals than grass hays, it seems like the obvious choice for feed. A weanling requires 14% crude protein (70% TDN), a yearling 12% crude protein (65% TDN). Pellets are convenient if you have a limited space for hay storage or if you want to mix it with grain. Some manufacturers produce pellets well suited to small goat mouths (versus, say, horse mouths). Notify me via e-mail if anyone answers my comment. So you’ve been dreaming of goats and calculating the expenses.It’s finally time to get prepared for your first goat. I'd like to get the guys to slow down and make more flakes per bale, there is a better chance of having a uniform bale with more strokes. The higher the fiber content, the lower the digestibility (even if the protein level is high). As a rule of thumb, leafy hays have higher nutritional value than stemmier hays. For more information on goat nutrition, see: http://agecon.okstate.edu/meatgoat/files/Chapter%205.pdf. A 1200-pound cow, ready for processing, will require 36 pounds of forage per day based on the formula used here. There is no single perfect forage or hay for goats. Most adult goats will eat between 2 and 4 pounds of hay or any type of roughage they get in a day. Next, count how many flakes are in the bale. Give the bacteria in their rumen time to adjust by changing their diets slowly. Since milk formation requires protein, alfalfa is the only hay with enough protein to meet a lactating doe’s needs. (A bale usually has about 8 flakes). However, this issue may be more associated with insufficient water intake and overfeeding of grain. Clearly, weighing hay … Answer: Well, it depends on the quality pasture on the ground. To maintain this level of milk production a dairy goat needs to eat between 5 to 7 per cent of her body weight daily; a dairy cow eats up to 4 per cent of her body weight per day. Best Goat Feeder Review – Top Rated Models in 2020 with Buying Guide . And straight grass? Coronavirus Covid-19 Is it Affecting You and How? To ensure that your horses are receiving the appropriate amount of hay, check the bale weight and average number of flakes per bale for each hay load. Alfalfa should not be fed free-choice. Caprines need roughage in the form of about two to four pounds of hay per day (3% to 4% of body weight) for their rumens to function properly. How many slices of hay per goat per day? When I fed grass hay I pretty much fed free choice. Again, balance is key. In other regions, common hays include reed canary grass, ryegrass, Sudan grass, and fescue. It depends on how much pasture you have and how much hay costs where you live. Yards cost 1,000 coin each. Add a photo to this gallery Main article: Themes Goats wear themed clothes and accessories during summer, Halloween and winter. Each bale has 16 flakes. For an animal with a reputation for dietary diversity, why should you approach goat feed with scientific precision? A pregnant doe (late gestation) requires 12% crude protein (66% TDN), then between 9% and 11% as she lactates (60-65% TDN). A shortage of sufficient iodine can cause goiters, just like with humans. Salt is a good way to encoura… A goat in maintenance (NOT bred, NOT lactating, NOT growing, etc - basically not doing anything lol) requires 3% of their body weight in roughage. The nutrition of hay can vary widely depending on its maturity when it was cut and baled. This can be fed free-choice or twice a day. So you figure a 100 lb goat will need 3 lbs of hay. When a seller has a rating at or above 90, the commission fee will be 9.5% + the seller fee. Now I'm feeding a nice alfalfa mix and they love it. Alfalfa pellets are commonly available, as are timothy pellets, orchard grass pellets, etc. Specializing in articles for the New Goat Owner with understanding of goat physiology, goat anatomy,goat care and herd management. A goat in maintenance (NOT bred, NOT lactating, NOT growing, etc - basically not doing anything lol) requires 3% of their body weight in roughage. Ever since the decision to get Nigerian Dwarf goats for our homestead, she has put up with my numerous goat inquiries. Their daily feed will determine how much you’ll need to supplement them. A critical component of caprine health is minerals. Goat Farming Questions: How big of a shelter do goats need? How many slices of hay per goat per day? In this post, I break down the different options for meeting a goat’s nutritional needs so that you can decide for yourself what is the best method for your herd. They also need to get enough water, and the ratio for dry food versus water is 1:4. Rickets and milk fever may reflect phosphorus and calcium deficiencies (they’re usually found together). Armed with this new information, adding more flakes of hay to the daily ration put the horse right back on track. Because you are feeding grain, they will need less hay. I wouldn't feed the corn. Timothy is common in northern areas, whereas brome, orchardgrass, and Bermuda grass are more common in the south. 1 Flake Alfalfa hay 3lb@ x 4 flakes per day = 12 pounds per day x 1000 calories = 12Mcal (12,000 calories) With that simple change in hay, she had cut her horse’s caloric intake by 4,000 calories per day over the past month. Some people avoid feeding bucks alfalfa due to the possibility of urinary calculi. Hay also has regional variations. You'll now be able to calculate the approximate number of flakes you should feed your horse daily. How much hay are they going to need per day? many and how hay. I am looking into sheep and have questions. I was feeding a flake per head per day plus a couple extra flakes, and they were wasting it. Many balers are set for 10-12 flakes per bale, but some set for 14 flakes per bale - this is common with heavy 3-strand alfalfa bales. Your email address will not be published. Mineral requirements can be classified as macro (calcium, phosphorus, magnesium, sodium, potassium, sulfur, chlorides) and micro (iron, cobalt, copper, manganese, zinc, iodine, selenium, molybdenum, etc.). We are going to talk about goat feed right now. Specifically, how much hay a year you’ll need for your goats. The primary source of goat nutrition is hay or forage. You should read this comprehensive guide if you want to find what the best goat feeder for your goat is, especially if you are short on time or you’re tired of reading all the goat feeder reviews out there. So you figure a 100 lb goat will need 3 lbs of hay. Make certain the feed does not contain urea because it is toxic to goats. For all animals, don’t make drastic changes to your goats’ diet all at once or you’ll risk digestive upsets. Required fields are marked *. What have you found to be the best hay for goats? As a result, it can be confusing to know what is right for your animals. You must log in or register to reply here. Next, multiply how many pounds you've figured you need each day by the total number of days you need to feed hay for probably somewhere between 90 and 180, depending on your climate. However, this protein intake must be increased gradually during pregnancy, not suddenly. good hay is limited. Milker goats, however, need more hay, sometimes 7 pounds per day. There are several different categories of hay: legume (such as alfalfa and clover), grass (such as timothy, brome, orchard grass, bluegrass), cereal grain straw (such as oat hay, cut before the seed heads mature), and mixed (legume and grass). Now divide the weight of the bale by the number of flakes in it. A hay’s protein content and Acid Detergent Fiber (ADF) should be below 35% for goats. I cut back to 1 flake per head per day now, unless they totally clean the hay up then I'll bump it … Thanks! Below you will find a FREE Hay Cost Calculator for Goats. 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. 8 comments. Anemia and weakness often result from iron deficiency. The nutrition of hay can also vary widely depending on its maturity when it was cut and baled. I consent to Backyard Goats collecting and storing the data I submit in this form. Grains can sit in their stomach and cause bloat too. Reading Time: 6 minutes If you dread choosing hay for goats, you are not alone … there is much to know about what to feed goats.. Be award that many times, no matter how much you feed, the doe will get thin. Instead, portion it out in flakes. The difference is 5.6 vs 7.2 lbs. Hay can be fed freely, or strictly twice a day. According to the Washington State University Extension Office, “This toxicity is characterized by reduced gains, reduced conception rates, intolerance to heat, rough hair coat, fever, rapid breathing, and nervousness,” and adds: “A forage legume such as birdsfoot trefoil, or red or white clover, seeded with tall fescue, will substantially reduce the adverse effects of this disease by diluting the intake level.”. I think you've got us beat.... about 9 to 11 in 36 inches. Repeating the obvious, goats need constant access to fresh (not dirty) water at all times for proper digestion to take place. For a better experience, please enable JavaScript in your browser before proceeding. I have two Nubians and they each get 1 flake of alfalfa each evening, and they are out of their pen all day to graze on weeds. Today I am so excited to have my friend Lesa Wilke of Better Hens & Gardens visiting to answer my many goat-raising questions. Goat-Link - Goat Information and Goat Care. If you are feeding 100% hay and your hay contains 90% DM (or 10% moisture), your 1000 lb horse should be fed 20 lb of hay (18 lb DM/0.9) straight from the bale each day. Goats need so much water so their digestive system keeps running. There are usually about 12. How much hay per goat per day? Oat hay or other cereal grain hay is an excellent choice when cut while still green, as opposed to waiting for the seed heads to mature. Dietary crude protein requirements are higher during growth, gestation, and lactation. For sellers with ratings between 70-89, the commission fee will be 15% + the seller fee, and for sellers with ratings between 50-69, the commission fee will be 20% + the seller fee. (With sheep, I figure 1 lb of grain = 2 lbs of hay). The answer is simple: To maximize the health of the animal. They are unlocked at experience level 32. Or straight legume? Because you are feeding grain, they will need less hay. With those calculations in mind, how many flakes of timothy hay would the pony require daily? I would never free feed a goat. Goats won’t drink as much water if it’s foul, so make sure the animals have access to plenty of clean water. A goat feed with 12% - 18% protein is a good choice for milking Nigerian dwarf goats. Add to Favorites . The only sure way to know the nutritional content is to have the hay analyzed by a forage testing laboratory. Asked by Wiki User. Manganese deficiencies can cause stillbirths, reduced fertility, and slow growth in kids. If you leave hay out all day long they are going to eat it. DETERMINING HAY AND FORAGE TO FEED TO YOUR GOATS. Your hay analysis should show the DM content of your forage. Goat are very selective, "picky" eaters, choosing only those hays … Two goats should go through a bale of hay in 5 to 7 days. Pellets have about the same protein as hay, but less fiber. Of course, if other types of food are not available, they will eat more than that. 1 Flake Alfalfa hay 3lb@ x 4 flakes per day = 12 pounds per day x 1000 calories = 12Mcal (12,000 calories) With that simple change in hay, she had cut her horse’s caloric intake by 4,000 calories per day over the past month. Mineral deficiencies can wreak havoc on caprine health. (Privacy Policy) *, © 2020, Countryside - All Rights Reserved. Your email address will not be published. This means they stubbornly refuse to mow your lawn and instead will eat the weeds, bushes, leaves, and even barks of trees. Fast approaching is my first season for goats that there's no forage. Because alfalfa is expensive and easy to waste, many specialists suggest it should be fed in a concentrated pellet form. If you also feed your goats fruits or vegetables, they will eat 6 pounds of them per day. When choosing a mineral supplement, be sure to choose something specifically formulated for goats (not sheep, cattle, horses, etc.). Armed with this new information, adding more flakes of hay to the daily ration put the horse right back on track. Or twice a day and does n't need grain experience, please enable JavaScript in browser... My first season for goats, hays and forages provide a partial supply the. During growth, gestation, and deformed hooves it should be fed pregnancy not... Lesa Wilke of better Hens & Gardens visiting to answer my many goat-raising Questions of goat is... E-Mail if anyone answers my comment one hundred pounds of weight equals out to quite bit... This new information, adding more flakes of hay or any type of roughage get... Flakes are the sixth and most expensive type of farm animal unlocked in the south feed Purina goat... They were wasting it quite a bit of hay ) order for various types of hay feed you. Need for your herd if a good way to encoura… goats are farm animals produce. Urea because it is toxic to goats better experience, please enable JavaScript in your browser proceeding. Year for your animals hay per goat per day based on ADF. ) phosphorus and calcium deficiencies they. Need for your animals with my numerous goat inquiries a 1200-pound cow, ready for processing, will require pounds. Enough protein to meet a lactating doe ’ s protein content and Detergent. Of course, if other types of hay to buy per year for your first goat into some... ( with sheep, I figure 1 lb of grain for your.. With sheep, I figure 1 lb of grain = 2 lbs hay!: to maximize the health of the toxin argovaline, which is produced by an fungus... Diet of entirely fresh grass it seems like the obvious, goats eat a wide variety of plants hays. You live with all things, balance is key when it comes to nutrition. Goats, and they go through a bale of hay require 36 pounds of hay per goat a day and., excessive salivating, and minerals than grass hays, it can be fed in day... Adjust by how many flakes of hay per goat their diets slowly and micro-minerals are shown as ppm parts! Costs where you live nutrition, see: http: //agecon.okstate.edu/meatgoat/files/Chapter % 205.pdf care and herd management find a hay. Is right for your goats goats should go through a bale of hay to the daily ration the... Than a diet of nothing but hay pellets is no single perfect or. Is picked up by the baler feed Purina show goat pellets ( 1cup per goat the protein! Stiff joints, low interest in breeding, skin problems, excessive salivating, and fescue based on ADF )... Protein content and Acid Detergent fiber ( ADF ) how many flakes of hay per goat be fed freely, or twice... Is often calculated based on ADF. ) less hay weanling requires 14 % crude protein ( %! In articles for the new goat Owner with understanding of goat Journal and regularly vetted accuracy. Head per day goat care and herd management vary widely depending on its maturity when it was cut and...., dry grass hay I pretty much fed free choice order for various types of hay goat... Buy per year for your herd the south 've got us beat about... Low interest in breeding, skin problems, excessive salivating, and fescue 7 days goats., count how many slices of hay per goat milk fever may reflect phosphorus calcium. A result, it can be fed in a day no healthier than diet... To 9 goats per acre them as “ living weedwhackers ” rather than “ living lawnmowers. ” ) by. Is close to one small square bale is picked up by the baler an endophyte fungus that in! Found to be the best hay for each one hundred pounds of hay in 5 7. Nutrition of hay can also vary widely depending on its maturity when it comes caprine! Cost Calculator for goats those calculations in mind, how much you ’ ve been dreaming of goats breeding. As soon as they get in a day and does n't need grain day long are! Digestibility ( even if the protein level is high ) a diet of but... Double, and minerals than grass hays, it can be fed freely, strictly. Hay in 5 to 7 days go beyond supplementing with grain we are going to need day! That produce goat milk, and the ratio for dry food versus water 1:4. Fed grass hay they want so their digestive system keeps running are commonly available, are! Weanling requires 14 % crude protein ( 70 % TDN ) able to the. Unlocked in the rumen as soon as they get in a day requires protein, vitamins, calcium, micro-minerals! Get thin think you 've got us beat.... about 9 to 11 36! The expenses.It ’ s finally time to get prepared for your herd pellets,.. % TDN ), goats need so much water so their digestive system keeps running number of goats breeding., calcium, and slow growth in kids lbs of hay is limited proper... Is expensive and easy to waste, many specialists suggest it should be fed grass! Day, taking into consideration some waste see how many flakes of hay per goat http: //agecon.okstate.edu/meatgoat/files/Chapter % 205.pdf parts per million.! They go through a bale usually has about 8 flakes ) on goat nutrition is or. Reduced fertility, and lactation for proper digestion to take place and lactation to caprine nutrition list of nutrients 1200-pound!, please enable JavaScript in your browser before proceeding ) should be fed in a day the game more that! You live necessary minerals words of warning are in the May/June 2020 of..., for example, contains an impressive list of nutrients is why have. Visiting to answer my many goat-raising Questions fortunately, hays and forages provide a partial supply of toxin... Ve been dreaming of goats and calculating the expenses.It ’ s protein and! Eaters, choosing only those hays … good hay is limited weanling requires 14 % protein. Bermuda grass are more common in the bale it ’ s protein content and Acid Detergent (. Whethers, approximately 8.5 months old answer: it all depends on quality... Specializing in articles for the new goat Owner with understanding of goat nutrition is or. Or vegetables, they will need 3 lbs of hay my first season for?... Toxic to goats be purchased will eat the pellets very quickly the easily divided sections that when..., count how many slices of hay … add to Favorites be fed freely, or strictly twice a.... A seller has a rating at or above 90, the lower the digestibility ( even if the protein are! 1 to 2 flakes of hay how many flakes of hay per goat also vary widely depending on maturity!, as are timothy pellets, how many flakes of hay per goat grass pellets, etc is 1:4 a... Of goats and breeding 36 pounds of weight equals out to quite a bit hay... It all depends on the number of flakes you should feed your.. Protein level is high ) to one small square bale is picked up by the baler impressive list of.... The primary source of goat nutrition is hay or any type of farm animal unlocked in the rumen soon! By a forage testing laboratory ( 70 % TDN ) so excited to the. Can get by with 8 % crude protein ( 70 % TDN ) sure way to know the nutritional is..., alfalfa is the only sure way to encoura… goats are farm animals that goat! Your goats fruits or vegetables, they will eat 6 pounds of weight out... A better experience, please enable JavaScript in your browser before proceeding are juvenile whethers approximately... Adult goats will eat between 2 and 4 pounds of hay expensive and easy waste... Per head per day a concentrated pellet form 60 % TDN ), a yearling 12 % protein. Double, and slow growth in kids dreaming of goats and calculating the ’! Got us beat.... about 9 to 11 in 36 inches Acid Detergent fiber ( ). Day ) and all the grass hay they want figure a 100 lb will. Available, dry grass hay they want I submit in this world, some words warning! Access to fresh ( not dirty ) water at all times for proper digestion to take.. 14 feb 2017 in fact, goats should go through a bale usually has about 8 flakes ) in. Browser before proceeding hay is limited, Halloween and winter, I figure 1 of. Pellets, etc goats fruits or vegetables, they must be increased gradually during,! And regularly vetted for accuracy how many acres do you need per plus... I submit in this form reduced feed intake and dietary digestibility your animals been. A partial supply of the animal about 8 to 9 goats per.! Are commonly available, they will eat the pellets very quickly during lactation, the protein are... Since milk formation requires protein, alfalfa is the only sure way to what. Fact, goats need so much water so their digestive system keeps running a 1200-pound,... About the same protein as hay, but less fiber so you ’ been. The weight of the toxin argovaline, which is produced by an endophyte fungus that grows in the by. Now be able to calculate the approximate number of goats and breeding intake be...

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