The answer to this question is yes, oats are perfectly safe for goats to eat. What Can Chickens Eat? High Quality Grass Hay - free choice, secondary to foraging. If a handful of hay bends easily in your hand, its fiber content is relatively low and it will be more digestible than if the stems snap like twigs. Do you have experience feeding oats to your goats? Goats should have access to plenty of clean, fresh water to ensure their health. This will all depend on the weather where you live. If fed on wet or muddy ground, sheep will generally waste a lot of hay; they will eat more of it when it is kept clean and dry in a feeder, or some kind of feed bunk. Legume leaves, by contrast, do not have the same structural function and dont change much as the plant grows, but the stems become coarser and more fibrous. 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. My goats have coastal in their pastures, but they won't eat coastal hay. we reseed our pastures with a good quality orchard/rye mix. 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. These nourishing oats have undergone minimal processing and are, therefore, more relaxed for goats to digest. However, if grass hay is coarse and dry (with little vitamin A or protein), youll need to add some legume hay to the cattles diet. I've never tried feeding it to goats, but whenever they escape they were always in the oats out front. J. Keeler Johnson. Shutterstock Hay for Sheep. Hay is harvested and baled with the leaves and grains still attached, whereas straw is merely the collection of stalks left overafterthe grain harvesting. These goat oat treats will remove all doubt that goats can eat oats. Digestible Energy: 1370 kcal/lb. I'm sure there's more but that's what came up first. If the bag is torn that means air has entered the bag and will result in a dried out Chaffhaye. So grab yourself a cup of coffee and maybe a pen and paper for a few notes and lets dive in. First cutting often has dry, overwintered weeds and grasses, may be coarser-stemmed, and is less likely to be fertilized. Goats are versatile creatures often used for milk, meat, or fiber production. Right? 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. Regardless of storage time, you will need a way to keep it from getting wet or drawing moisture from the ground. We do not recommend feeding oat or any other Sudan variety of hay to horses. Offer them fresh oat hay, and they wont even sniff it! When I first starting raising goats I thought all hay was alike. If ingested, wire can cause hardware disease in cattle by perforating the gut and causing fatal peritonitis because they do not sort out foreign materials before eating. With this in mind, following the feed ratio below will help to keep goats in prime health. JavaScript is disabled. If it was rained on after it was cut, baled too green or too wet or too dry, it may not be safe to feed. The contents must be moist so the integrity of the bag is important. also bought some Fall Rye and Lowland Pasture Blend. . 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. Goats need some long-stemmed hay, every day, to keep their rumen functioning at its best. Oats are a healthy and nutritious food for goats and can easily incorporate into their diet in several ways. The type of hay will directly affect the amount and quality of milk along with the percentages of butterfat found within. From an energy standpoint, corn grain is worth 1.9 times as much as the average quality hay. A bale that smells sour or musty is probably moldy and therefore unappetizing even for goats! Here are some of the benefits goats can get from eating oat hay. Oat Hay: Oat hay is hardy hay, and it can be higher in sugar- not a good option for animals. Just saying. Allow 25 - 30 bales (of small rectangular) bales per adult goat per year. This is because the oat straw will have a higher nutritional value and will be easier for your goat to digest. Oats are good for goats because they contain an adequate amount of phosphorus which helps the goats to process carbohydrates in the body system of the goats. 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. There is always some risk of nitrate poisoning, however, if cereal grain hays are harvested after a spurt of growth following a drought period. Important factors to keep in mind for horse hay are the nutritional needs of the animals (mature horses will not need high protein or calcium levels unless they are mares nursing foals), and the way the hay was harvested. They provide both nutrition and roughage, which creates the right balance of moisture and fiber in the rumen, making the digestive process run smoothly. In northern parts of the United States, timothy is widely grown because it tolerates cold weather and grows early in spring. She spends her time rearing goats, riding (rearing) horses, and meticulously growing her own chicken food. Mature sheep can get by on good-quality grass hay, but lambs do . This hay is richer and more nutrient-dense that supports the high energy needed for milk production. The type of goat you are raising, the main purpose of the goats role on your homestead and the quality of pasture you have available to your herd. I was actually at a field day today and part of it was pasture management. Good palatable grass hay, cut while still green and growing, can be very adequate. Either way, the question 'can goats eat hay' is an . As long as oats are included as part of a versatile, balanced diet, goats can eat oats. Hay should form the basis of at least 40% of your goat's feed. Your hungry goats wont mind! They are an excellent source of antioxidants, which can help to protect against diseases and promote overall health. We admit that in America you hear more about hays like alfalfa, orchard grass and timothy for rabbits and livestock. Hay should form the bulk of your goat's daily feed, making up to 40%. we did ours about a month ago. More often than not first cut will work just fine in this area but if you find your goats on the low end of the weight scale you may want to introduce second cut hay. . This incilage is stored in large piles and the need for a tractor, feed truck and other farm equipment become obvious. Legume hays like alfalfa, vetch, and clover, have a higher protein content. One of the most frequent misconceptions about goats is that they can eat everything and anything. And goats love oats! 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). So feeding an excess amount of grains may increase obesity and make the goat fat. This is why the quality of your goats hay is so important. . 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. However, oats can provide many nutritional benefits for goats when fed as part of a balanced diet. Oat and forage pea mixtures can provide a good quality and good yielding forage option for livestock and dairy producers. Forage production potential from a spring-planted oat crop will average 1,500 to 2,000 pounds of forage per acre. Shutterstock. Luckily there are a few options to help remedy this. 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). The Best Hay for Goats in Their Heyday. Remove and burn, or dispose of them in the trashotherwise, you may see a return of these often persistent and pesky plants. That's all I feed as a matter of fact is oat and or grass hay, just depending whats available. Feel free to pin on Pinterest! Contrary to the old saying, a goat will eat anything even a tin can, most goats are in fact, picky eaters. 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, it important to always consult your goats veterinarian when introducing any new food to your goats diet. READ: THE BEST HAY FEEDERS OPTIONS FOR GOATS. Nothing is simpler than hopping in my car and picking up dinner at the supermarket. Gats being rumen can efficiently break down protein into small amino acids and digest it. As such, they can get fed a variety of different things. As high as 2.5:1 or 3:1 has also been reported to be safe. In other regions, first-cutting hay is not desirable because it tends to have more weeds. 13 Stunning Cascading Plants for Retaining Walls and Hanging Baskets. There are many types of oats, which really means there are many forms in which the oat grain can be consumed. There is no single magic "right way" to feed dairy goats. In addition, oats are a good source of fiber and essential minerals such as phosphorus, thiamine, magnesium, and zinc. As a result, it has almost no nutritional benefits, which is why goats generally prefer sleeping on it rather than eating it. As long as oats are included as part of a versatile, balanced diet, goats can eat oats. The differences in each individual bale can be huge. These are the sources used for this article. Changing to a legume hay suddenly can make an animal sick, or cause a ruminant animal to bloat. 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. It's not only cheap but it also contains a large amount of protein and nutrition. [Whole Rolled, Steel-Cut or Quick Oats?]. In other words, one pound of corn will replace 1.9 lbs. You're awesome for doing it! Thats why we want to share a list of the top questions for any farmer with hungry goats to feed. The answer is a resounding yes! The grain specifically refers to the edible seeds of oat grass. More bale got trodden into the ground than consumed, making it expensive and futile. Quality Registered Nigerian Dwarfs & Natural Goats Milk Soaps, Bad News Boers Farm: Breeding Better Boer Goats, Capriola's ~ ADGA and AGS Nigerian Dwarf Goats, Handcrafted Goat's Milk Soap, Lotion, & Body B'Udder, http://www.dollysacre.com/breedingplans.htm. Oats are not only safe for goats; they are a good form of nutrition that can be fed to them in a few different ways. For that reason, Alfalfa hay is a great choice because of its higher protein amounts. cup Organic Pumpkin Seeds. 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.". Which Is Best for Profits and Fun? A better approach is to provide your entire herd with grass hay ad-lib and then mix some alfalfa pellets plus grain for your lactating does and anyone else that needs a bit extra. But this type of feeding is very economical and will work. Barley straw is generally considered to be the best as goats will be happy to eat . they're doing pretty good eating it all up but I don't like this timothy, too course. All grass hays are good for goats. No sprouts yet. More often than not most meat goats will thrive on first cut hay as long as the quality is good and the nutrients are intact. Im learning how to raise goats before actually doing so and your article in hay was very informative. The best hay for goats isnt a type its a quality. The nutritional value of hay is related to leaf content. It is also a bit hard to come by since the amount of second cut hay all depends on the weather. Does (female goats) in-milk do need a richer diet than male goats or non-lactating does. Be sure to have a secure way to store this option of livestock feed so pests do not have access to it. Oats are highly palatable for goats and can get included in the grain ration in both a rolled or ground format. The milkers should not be getting grain any other time except when on the stanchion. Oats are perfect for animals, especially herbivores who need high fiber and low protein. For kids, half a cup a day should be enough. Next to pasture, good quality hay is the ideal feed. This goat lover has developed a few different baked treats for goats that use oats as their main ingredient. (Yikes!). (Benefits/Risks), Do Goats Eat Dead Leaves? However, some types of mold may cause abortion in pregnant cows. Alfalfa pellets are a great option to offer to your goats that will give them a good supply of protein. Lactating does - 1/2 to 1 pounds daily per doe while in milk. Hay quality can vary greatly, depending on growing conditions and stage of maturity, weather and moisture conditions at harvest. Chaffhaye is a moist slightly ground alfalfa hay that is compacted into bags. Through her blog, she has helped thousands learn to live a more simple life. Mature sheep can get by on good-quality grass hay, but lambs do better with a legumeharvested while still growing so that it has finer stems. The following contains our findings. Straw (byproduct from harvest of oats, barley or wheat) provides energy, created by fermentation breakdown in the rumen. Good-quality straw looks like hay and smells strangely appealing to humans, but goats know better. The straw itch mite ( Pyemotes ventricosus) is a predator living in oat hay fields. Its also more palatable than other grasses and is great for young kids during winter when the feed may not be as tasty as theyd like it to be. You may need different qualities of hay for different horsesleafy hay for weanlings, for instance, and more mature hay for adult horses that do not need such fine hay. If you are planting a new pasture you will need to do closer to seven lbs per 1000 sq feet. 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. These can range from small squares to large round bales and the prices of the bale will depend, of course, on size but also on the quality. Edited to add: Checked out the nitrate poisoning issue. When the weather gets cold, the natural availability of those nutrients drops. Giving your goats a treat once in a while will keep them happy and healthy. Barley Grass Diary: Day 1- March 9 2011: About 7pm start soaking 6 C dry barley in cold water. Look at texture, maturity, color and leafiness. Immature grass hay or leafy alfalfa is usually the best feed for sheep. One option is to add oats to your goats pellet meal, including sweet feed. Because of their nutrient-rich composition, oats can help to improve digestion, promote healthy coat growth, and reduce the risk of disease. Horses can do well on grass or alfalfa (or other legume) hay. Do they respond well? Roughage through Foraging - free choice. 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!]. Factors that can affect nutritional value include plant species in the hay, fertility of soil, harvesting methods (whether the hay was conditioned or crimped to dry faster and lose less leaves and nutrients during drying) and curing time. . Most of the meat goat farmers supplement their goat's diet with grains. Fat: 3.5%. The cut hay is then left out to dry usually just that day or a second if needed. SLCG PRO TIP: Always check your bags of Chaffhaye before purchasing. Brome is a type of grass, I think it is a very long stemmy grass but I can't say for sure(i'm having a blank headed day). A well-balanced diet for goats includes both alfalfa and oats. You can also feed oats to your goats by themselves! A good choice would be Lezpedeza or Chicory since they have tannin which is a natural wormer. . High-quality peanut hay could be obtained if the crop is harvested by humans. As the graph above shows, hay takes up half of a goats daily diet. It is also the most costly alfalfa. Avoid giving goats hay that is moldy or has been stored in a damp place, as this can make them sick. Hay falls into several categories: grass, legume, mixed (grass and legume) and cereal grain straw (such as oat hay). Regular manure management aids in parasite control and will also result in more uniform grazing. The grass is more personal preference and depends what would grow best in your area. Combining elements of both the above will keep your goats in excellent health. Hay for horses should never contain dust or mold, as it may lead to coughing and respiratory problems. The key is to keep the hay dry to again ensure the quality of the hay is left intact preserving its nutritional value for your animals. We prefer to feed second cut to our goats for reasons I will get into later. Coastal hay is one of the most popular grass hays. Besides adding fun and variety to their meals, oat-based treats can be a good way to administer a remedy or medication they may not otherwise take. 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. In addition, oats contain several vitamins and minerals essential for goat health. Third-cut alfalfa typically has a higher leaf-to-stem ratio because of slower growth during the cool part of the season. One came in at 34lb and the second bale was 37lb. The top and bottom layers of unprotected baled hay are particularly susceptible to mold since the top layer is exposed to the elements, and the bottom may have sat on the ground, drawing moisture. Oat hay is a popular choice in the western half of the United States. Just because your animals live outdoors doesnt mean youre off the hook for manure removal. Alfalfa is also a good winter feed because heat is created by digestion of protein, so a horse can keep warmer on a cold night. Outdoor Happens is reader-supported.