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Can you give alfalfa cubes to goats?
Cubes are made for horses and cattle, and because the hay has not been completely pulverized, it does require more chewing than pellets do. However, the cubes are too big and hard for goats and sheep to eat.
How do you feed alfalfa to goats?
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.
How much alfalfa do you give a goat?
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.
Is it OK to feed goats alfalfa pellets?
Goats need some long-stemmed hay, every day, to keep their rumen functioning at its best. When goats chew, they produce bicarbonate. It is simply ground up hay. Keep in mind that just as with baled hay, you should only feed alfalfa pellets to milkers, does in late pregnancy and fast-growing kids.
Can goats bloat on alfalfa?
All goats with a mature functional rumen are at risk. Conditions that may lead to frothy bloat include consumpiton of lush legumes such as clover or alfalfa, either in green feeds or as new hay; recent turnout to legume pastures, and wet grass pastures. Sudden access to grain can also lead to frothy bloat.
Will alfalfa give goats diarrhea?
But, if a goat is suddenly switched from a browner hay to a rich green hay, it will upset the rumen. Too much, or a sudden addition, of alfalfa hay can have similar results. Just as in adult goats, if you switch kids from goat’s milk to formula or cow’s milk, it can upset the stomach and cause scours.
Is molasses good for goats?
It is a good source of energy and trace minerals including sulfur and it helps to stimulate rumen activity. Molasses is used as an appetizer to encourage consumption. It also acts to reduce dust in feeds and as a carrier for vitamins and other nutrients. When properly managed, it is an excellent feed supplement.
How much alfalfa pellets should I feed my goats?
If you have growing kids and goats, you will want to feed each goat one to two pounds of Organic Goat Feed pellets daily. For a lactating goat, feed one pound of the pellets daily for every three pounds of milk produced. If you have gestating goats, feed one and a half to two pounds of these pellets per goat per day.
What causes hay belly in goats?
Goats usually pass gas as they digest their food, releasing the fermentation gases. Bloat happens when the gases form in tiny bubbles and the goat is unable to pass them.
How much baking soda can you give a goat?
Suggested amounts are 0.75–3 oz. (20 g to 1 g/kg body weight) baking soda (sodium bicarbonate), 0.35–0.7 oz.
What grain is best for goats?
The best type of grain to feed goats is wheat, barley, and oats.