Can Goats Eat Horse Hay?

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.

What kind of hay is best for goats?

Any type of grass hay, including Timothy, Bermuda, and Teff, is ideal for the average adult goat, provided it’s of good quality and free from any mold and debris. Young kids that have weaned do better on a mixture of grass and legume hay, such as alfalfa or clover.

Is it OK for goats to eat hay?

Any type of hay that is of good to excellent quality and is properly harvested and stored can be successfully fed to goats with correct management. This is not to say that different plant species do not each have their own specific advantages and disadvantages. As they say, there is no free lunch… even for goats!

Can goats eat horse feed?

While it is possible to feed horse feed to your goats, it is not recommended. Horses and goats have different dietary needs. Horse feed is designed only to meet the needs of horses. Goats require specific amounts of nutrients in their diet and horse feed does not appropriately provide them.

Can goats digest hay?

Hay is grass that has been cut and dried, then baled or collected to use as animal feed. Much of the nutrition in the grass is preserved in the hay, and it makes great feed for goats. Think of it as dehydrated pasture.

What happens if a goat eats too much hay?

Another problem goats can get from being overfed is scours, or diarrhea. Scours can kill goats in less than 24 hours. If your goat has scours make sure to give it lots of fluids, goats with scours get dehydrated fast and can die from dehydration. If your goat has bloat or scours, call the vet immediately.

What hay is best for meat goats?

Most goat producers feed their goats dry hay. Any type of hay can be fed, however, billies have an increased chance of developing urinary calculi when fed alfalfa hay because of the high levels of calcium. Goats should always be fed their hay in a feeder and not on the ground.

Do horses and goats eat the same hay?

Goats eat grass, although they tend to prefer weeds and other plants. Goats should never be fed commercial horse feed because it’s toxic for their bodies. Goats can eat the same hay that you give to your horses without any problems.

What should you not feed goats?

But, just like other animals, goats shouldn’t consume things like garlic, onion, chocolate or any source of caffeine, to name a few. Although most goats wouldn’t eat leftover meat scraps, they shouldn’t be offered them either. Citrus fruits should also be avoided, as they can really upset the rumen.

Can hay make goats sick?

Circling Disease and Silage Sickness are other names for listeriosis in goats, commonly associated with feeding moldy hay. Listeriosis is a life-threatening disease primarily caused by the bacteria Listeria monocytogenes; however, ruminants may also get listeriosis from Listeria ivanovii.

Can goats get bloat from hay?

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.

How do you feed goats cheaply?

Hay is another important source of goat nutrition, especially in winter seasons. Feed your goats mold free qualified grasses based hay. You can also feed your goats weedy hay because it is very cheap and contain a large amount of necessary nutrition. There are various types of hays are available.

What are goats favorite food?

If a goat had to pick a favorite food, it would probably be grain! Goat grain can be made up of corn, barley, oats and soybeans – it is very high in calories (lots of energy), but low in fiber, which means that too much can make a goat obese.

Can goats eat horse alfalfa pellets?

Can I Feed My Goats Alfalfa or Grass Hay Pellets? These are both great options for supplementing a goat’s diet, but they cannot totally take the place of baled hay, pasture and browse. Goats need some long-stemmed hay, every day, to keep their rumen functioning at its best.

What should goats eat daily?

Although goats will graze on pastures, they much prefer eating brush along fence lines or broadleaf weeds known as forbs. Dry matter intake for goats at maintenance is a minimum of 1-3% of their body weight every day. Supplement with good quality hay in the winter or anytime of year the pasture is poor.

Should goats have hay at night?

Goats will need hay at night especially during cold nights because they usually munch on their hay to generate their own heat and stay warm. They also need constant access to hay during rainy nights.

Can goats eat hay that has been rained on?

Do NOT ever feed wet or moldy hay or grain to goats. Wet grain must be thrown out, but wet bales of hay can be broken and aired out until thoroughly dry, then used as goat feed . . . . IF the bales are lightly wet and all mold and mildew has disappeared.

Can goats just live off hay?

Grain – (0-10% of their diet) – Goats don’t need grain to survive, in fact, they can live happily on pasture or hay, or a combination of both.

How many bales of hay should a goat have a day?

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. Goats require additional hay, which is roughage, for their rumen to function properly.

Do goats need salt blocks?

An essential for successful goat production. When consumed in the right amounts, Champion’s Choice^® Salt in bags or blocks can help goats grow faster and produce more milk. Whether you’re raising goats for meat or milk, they need salt to help maintain healthy appetite and body weight.

What do you feed goats in the winter?

During the winter, goats need more energy to help maintain body temperature. They will also need roughage which can be supplied in grass, alfalfa, or mixed hay. Alfalfa hay can be a great source of both energy and protein, although care should be taken when feeding bucks and wethers because of urinary calculi.