This style of hay is a nice mix of essential nutrients, but it also has a lower protein percentage than alfalfa hay. Goats tend to love this type of hay because it is sweet and is soft enough that they can consume it right down through the stem easily.Ī diet of only cereal grain hay would not be good for goats due to its lack of protein content, but mixing some cereal grains into your hayfield or buying hay from someone who does, will be welcomed as a tasty and healthy hay bale treat.Ĭereal grain hay is comprised of 9% crude protein, and also has a significant manganese, zinc, and phosphorus content. Cereal GrainsĪ cereal or oat type of hay is lower in protein than either alfalfa or orchard grass hay but is comprised of a higher carbohydrate and fiber percentage. Orchard grass hay is comprised of about 30% crude fiber and 7% of crude protein. This style of hay is lower in protein than alfalfa hay but boasts a higher percentage of fiber. Goats will ingest approximately 120% more energy from alfalfa hay that they would from an oat style of hay. The leafy fiber strands are longer than the ones produced by grass hay. Alfalfa hay is comprised of roughly 15% to 22% crude protein, and 32% crude fiber. This legume style hay boats a high protein, fiber, vitamin A and calcium percentage. Their small mouths are not well equipped to eat such a coarse variety of hay. Mature goats, regardless of type, usually prefer a grass and legume-style hay mix to fulfill their dietary needs.īeing a small to medium-sized livestock, goats generally will not eat grass-style hay unless it is their only option. Goat kids as well as their nursing mommas typically thrive on a legume style of hay. This type of hay is usually comprised of alfalfa, soybeans, vetch, and clover. Leafy legume-type hay is recommended for goats. Suffice it to say that all hay is not created equal. The quality and type of hay provided to the goat herd matters a great deal from a rumen health and nutrient intake perspective. They can garner some if not all of their daily roughage intake while wandering around your homestead eating grass, weeds, brush, leaves, and similar natural items – at least during the warm weather parts of the year.Įven during the winter time goats can browse for a portion of their roughage intake, depending on your climate, and how much space the herd has to roam and forage for food. Goats are browsers and not grazers like horses and cattle. This recommended amount varies based on the maturity of the goat, stature (miniature goats, standard goats), and takes into account the enhanced caloric needs of pregnant or nursing nanny goats. HayĪ goat should eat between 2 to 4 pounds of hay on a daily basis. Sweet mixed that have a high percentage of molasses should only be given (if at all) in incredibly small amounts or to pregnant and nursing nanny goats to give them a calorie boost. Dairy goats are sometimes given more grain than meat and fiber goats in an attempt to enhance milk production. If feeding grain to goats it should account for no more than 10% of their overall daily food intake. Quality grain feed is comprised of significant percentages of protein, minerals, and vitamins. A goat that consumes too much grain is at increased risk of health issues – like bloat. Grain feed should be only a small part – if at all, of the goat’s diet.
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