How much alfalfa pellets should I feed my goats?
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. If good range isn’t available, dry grass forage of a horse quality is acceptable.
Can you feed goats too much alfalfa pellets?
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 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.
Do you soak alfalfa pellets for goats?
No, you don’t need to soak them, I’ve never done that and never had a problem. Some horses you do soak them for as they will eat too fast and choke on them but, not goats.
Why is alfalfa bad for goats?
Bucks and wethers should not be fed any type of grain or goat feed routinely because it can wind up causing urinary stones, which can kill them. Some people are quick to say that if you feed them alfalfa, the calcium will balance the phosphorus in the grain so that you are not as likely to wind up with stones.
Which is better alfalfa cubes or pellets?
Alfalfa cubes overall are better than pellets for our purposes. Pellets can’t be a substitute for alfalfa hay, but cubes can. Alfalfa cubes are convenient, provide high nutrient value, and have little waste.
Should you soak alfalfa pellets?
For those that struggle to chew, Alfalfa Pellets can be fed soaked prior to feeding. To soak Alfalfa Pellets you can use hot or cold water. Soaking time can vary according to the density of the pellets, but as a guide we would expect a 2 hour cold soak or 15 minute hot soak time.
How much grain should a goat eat per day?
Feed grain to your goats sparingly; adults will only need 1 ½ pound a day as an absolute maximum. Kids require significantly less – around ½ a cup will do the trick. Most goats gain the majority of nutrition from foraging, where adequate pasture is available.
How do you feed goats alfalfa?
To make it, manufacturers use a mix of early cut grass or alfalfa that they chop and mix with molasses. This choice is good for the digestive system of the pet because it is combined with bacteria cultures. Per 100 pounds of body weight, a goat needs up to two pounds of chaffhaye.
Can goats get too much alfalfa?
Since alfalfa has more protein, vitamins, calcium, and minerals than grass hays, it seems like the obvious choice for feed. 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.
Is chaffhaye healthier than alfalfa pellets?
Alfalfa pellets do not contain any long fiber. A goat eating Chaffhaye has more fiber to digest for a longer amount of time. This is a good thing for their digestive systems. Chaffhaye is also better than pellets because it is fresher since it is a wet fermented silage. Pellets are dehydrated and powdered alfalfa.
Do goats have to have 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 problem to feed alfalfa hay to cattle?
Alfalfa hay or silage can be fed free choice throughout the year. Lower feed bills and higher milk production are the primary reasons alfalfa is used on dairy farms. The major problem with forages fed to dairy cattle with high levels of milk production is the inability of cows to consume enough energy .