Hay Help!

2730 Views 42 Replies 12 Participants Last post by FizzyGoats, Jun 3, 2021

BarnOwl

Discussion Starter · May 27, 2021

Hey y'all... so newbie here, and I could use some advice.

We are going to be getting 3 Nigerian Dwarf doelings soon (yay!).The plan was to buy a bale or two of mixed grass/alfalfa hay each week at the co-op when I was buying feed for the other animals. But all they had available was oat hay, and all they will have for an indeterminite amount of time is oat hay. I bought a bale, but not sure if oat hay is suitable for goats, and not sure how to evaluate if the quality is good...it's not moldy or dusty, but does not look green. Figured I could use it for bedding if nothing else.

I found a local farmer that will sell and deliver hay (fescue, clover, orchard) if I order 20 bales. Storage will be tight, but seems like it would be worth it if the quality is good. He has yet to bale it. He says should be done next week. Can I feed freshly baled hay or does it have to cure a while? I told him I'd like to buy a few bales and then probably put in a larger order. Is there anything in particular I should look out for? Should I avoid it because it's first-cut, or would first cut be okay if it doesn't seem weedy?

Thanks in advance! Nervous newbie here. I've had lots of different animals, but never a ruminant!

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toth boer goats

· #2 · May 27, 2021

With fresh cut, it is good to allow it to sit for 2 weeks at minimum.

If hay is baled too damp, it can mold, so watch closely. Smell it and watch for dampness and mold or dry mold powder when you tear it apart.
If anything is off, don’t feed it.

When you do feed, gradually introduce it.

I hope it doesn’t have a lot of clover as it can bloat them.So be careful.

Oat hay is ok if they are not thin.
You can add a little bit of a good 16% grain not with molasses to their diet.
Or alfalfa pellets or hay.

If you are going to eventually breed them, they will need alfalfa, so if there is not any hay, you might be able to get the pellet form.

Get loose salt and minerals, sweetlix meat maker is a good one if you can get it. Have it out free choice.

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BarnOwl

Discussion Starter · #3 · May 27, 2021 (Edited)

toth boer goats said:
With fresh cut, it is good to allow it to sit for 2 weeks at minimum.

If hay is baled too damp, it can mold, so watch closely. Smell it and watch for dampness and mold or dry mold powder when you tear it apart.
If anything is off, don’t feed it.

When you do feed, gradually introduce it.

I hope it doesn’t have a lot of clover as it can bloat them.So be careful.

Oat hay is ok if they are not thin.
You can add a little bit of a good 16% grain not with molasses to their diet.
Or alfalfa pellets or hay.

If you are going to eventually breed them, they will need alfalfa, so if there is not any hay, you might be able to get the pellet form.

Get loose salt and minerals, sweetlix meat maker is a good one if you can get it. Have it out free choice.

Thank you so much for the reply! I feel bad for asking so many needy questions, and truly appreciate all the experienced folks here that are willing to help.

Maybe I should forgo the grass/clover hay then? I haven't committed to anything yet. Someone at the feedstore said that they could get me 20 bales of Alfalfa, but no firm details, so not sure if that will materialize or not.

Maybe the oat hay will be okay for a while? I had never heard of oat hay before, so I felt a bit uncertain. It's yellow and looks like straw, but our rabbit seems to like it, for what that matters.

Eventually the goats will have access to our field w/lots of blackberry bushes, weeds, and tall grass. I've read it's best to gradually get them used to lush pasture, so I thought I'd keep them in a smaller pen in the backyard for now. That way I can monitor more closely what they eat, and how they're doing. Plus, I figured they'd be easier to handle in a smaller area if they are skittish.

I have a few compressed bales of timothy and alfalfa hay from tractor supply, and a bag of grain (I bought the same brand/kind as the breeder. I think it was 16 percent, but I'll double check).

I do have sweetlix meat maker! It is what the breeder recommended, and I searched the forum and read good things about it... so, paid a fortune in shipping, and it's here. The breeder said she has it shipped to her also.

I would like to milk, so someday I will have to breed. But they're just 12 weeks old now, so it will be some time before they (or I am) ready. Breeding sounds scary, and daunting, and wonderful, and I definitely want to have the basics down before I attempt it.

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Calistar

· #4 · May 27, 2021

I'd avoid oat hay if you have literally ANY other alternatives. Oat hay is crap. I fed it to my wethers for a while long, long ago when I only had 2 goats. They lost a lot of weight on it. Not as in healthy weight loss- they got really skinny. They only eat the seed heads and leave the rest. It also attracted tons of mice/rats. When I sell goats I always tell new buyers to avoid oat hay. I like orchard best if you can get it.

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BarnOwl

Discussion Starter · #5 · May 27, 2021

Calistar said:
I'd avoid oat hay if you have literally ANY other alternatives. Oat hay is crap. I fed it to my wethers for a while long, long ago when I only had 2 goats. They lost a lot of weight on it. Not as in healthy weight loss- they got really skinny. They only eat the seed heads and leave the rest. It also attracted tons of mice/rats. When I sell goats I always tell new buyers to avoid oat hay. I like orchard best if you can get it.

ugghh, okay, good to know. I'm glad I only bought one bale. The last time I was at the co-op for hay, they had bales of mixed grass/alfalfa hay...wish that was what they had currently. I've seen other ads posted for local hay, so I'll keep looking.

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Calistar

· #6 · May 27, 2021

At least you're not at a total loss if the rabbit likes it! Or you can use it for bedding

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BarnOwl

Discussion Starter · #7 · May 27, 2021

Feedstore the next town over has rye hay. I have never heard of that either, haha. I will have to google it.

Reactions: 1

MellonFriend

· #8 · May 27, 2021

BarnOwl said:
Thank you so much for the reply! I feel bad for asking so many needy questions, and truly appreciate all the experienced folks here that are willing to help.

Never ever feel bad for asking questions. It's what we are here for. 😉👍

I have used the compressed bags of hay for my goats. If you have to use that while you are finding a better option, that would be okay. Long term you will want to find something different because it certainly is a lot more pricey than hay from a supplier.

Have you checked craigslist for hay? I found my hay guy there.

Reactions: 4

BarnOwl

Discussion Starter · #9 · May 28, 2021

MellonFriend said:
Never ever feel bad for asking questions. It's what we are here for. 😉👍

I have used the compressed bags of hay for my goats. If you have to use that while you are finding a better option, that would be okay. Long term you will want to find something different because it certainly is a lot more pricey than hay from a supplier.

Have you checked craigslist for hay? I found my hay guy there.

Thank you! You all are so friendly here. I think I've about used up my quota of stupid questions for this week though, LOL.

Oh my goodness, yes, the compressed bales are so expensive...but I'm glad to know they will be okay temporarily.

I haven't looked much at Craigslist yet, but have been searching FB marketplace. I found some mixed grass hay in a town about 40 min away that delivers (no mention of clover in that one). I think I'll try to get out there tomorrow for a sample bale if he's available. Fingers crossed...

Reactions: 3

Cedarwinds Farm

· #10 · May 28, 2021

I wouldn't worry too much over clover in the hay. Goats can have issues with overeating fresh clover, but it should be fine once it is dry. Perhaps others have had different experiences, but I fed some pretty clover heavy hay this winter, and everyone did great with it. I've had more problems with straight alfalfa than with clover in the hay. As with anything, introduce new hay slowly.

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ksalvagno

· #11 · May 28, 2021

I don't worry about clover. But make sure the fescue is endophyte free.

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BarnOwl

Discussion Starter · #12 · May 28, 2021 (Edited)

ksalvagno said:
I don't worry about clover. But make sure the fescue is endophyte free.

oh yikes... good to know! That sounds scary. Thank you. I had to google it.

I'm still looking for a local supplier, but there seem to be quite a few ads out right now. One place that seemed promising stopped responding when I said I wanted to buy a couple sample bales first. Is that an annoying or unusal request? [Edit: update...going down to pick up a sample bale tomorrow. Hoping it looks good.]

Reactions: 1

Goats Rock

· #13 · May 28, 2021

Drive around and see what farms are baling- some will sell right out of the field for a reduced rate. Getting hay is fairly easy- storing can cause
problems. Store off the ground, have air movement- tarping will cause moisture retention and result in mold. When hay is dry and baled, the grass
goes through chemical reactions- that is when you may have problems feeding it. Just baled- today hay, is ok to feed (usually) but after a few days
it starts the chemical reactions and thus, you want hay to "cure" for 2 weeks or longer, depending on how it is stored.

Some goats will eat first crop (first cutting) hay- it is usually more stemmy. Others prefer a 2nd crop hay- usually more nutrition per bale and softer- also
more expensive. My brats only like 2nd- but do have to eat 1st for a few months each year. A little word of advice- figure out how much hay you need and get
more- somehow, goats eaither eat more, waste more or you acquire more goats! that is known as "goat math", majority of goat owners experience it, occasionally! )

Welcome to the wonderful and wacky world of goat ownership!

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BarnOwl

Discussion Starter · #14 · May 29, 2021

Goats Rock said:
Drive around and see what farms are baling- some will sell right out of the field for a reduced rate. Getting hay is fairly easy- storing can cause
problems. Store off the ground, have air movement- tarping will cause moisture retention and result in mold. When hay is dry and baled, the grass
goes through chemical reactions- that is when you may have problems feeding it. Just baled- today hay, is ok to feed (usually) but after a few days
it starts the chemical reactions and thus, you want hay to "cure" for 2 weeks or longer, depending on how it is stored.

Some goats will eat first crop (first cutting) hay- it is usually more stemmy. Others prefer a 2nd crop hay- usually more nutrition per bale and softer- also
more expensive. My brats only like 2nd- but do have to eat 1st for a few months each year. A little word of advice- figure out how much hay you need and get
more- somehow, goats eaither eat more, waste more or you acquire more goats! that is known as "goat math", majority of goat owners experience it, occasionally! )

Welcome to the wonderful and wacky world of goat ownership!

Thank you so much! This is great information. We have an old barn on the property (with a newish roof) that we should be able to store some hay in. I have no idea how much to buy. our neighbor who has goats suggested 20 bales, so guess I’ll start with that. Husband’s going out later this morning to get a sample bale, goats are coming Monday, and if they eat this bale and it looks good, we’ll get a bigger order. Yes, there are lots of ads around right now where hay is being sold cheaper right off the field.... we need to get a truck/trailer looks like some good deals!

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MellonFriend

· #15 · May 29, 2021

BarnOwl said:
Thank you so much! This is great information. We have an old barn on the property (with a newish roof) that we should be able to store some hay in. I have no idea how much to buy. our neighbor who has goats suggested 20 bales, so guess I’ll start with that. Husband’s going out later this morning to get a sample bale, goats are coming Monday, and if they eat this bale and it looks good, we’ll get a bigger order. Yes, there are lots of ads around right now where hay is being sold cheaper right off the field.... we need to get a truck/trailer looks like some good deals!

Twenty bales should last you a pretty good while with only three little ones.

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Sfgwife

· #16 · May 29, 2021

BarnOwl said:
Feedstore the next town over has rye hay. I have never heard of that either, haha. I will have to google it.

Check your local craigslist for hay. So e farmers will sell it cheaper if you pick it up out of the pastures. But local farmers are always cheaper than the feed stores.

Reactions: 1

Mike at Capra Vista

· #17 · May 29, 2021

One word of caution. Goats can be fussy eaters. It is best to try a bale before committing to a large quantity.

I baled my own hay 2 years ago and the goats loved it - well they ate it. I baled the same field last year and the goats will not touch that hay.

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BarnOwl

Discussion Starter · #18 · May 29, 2021

So we got four sample bales of grass hay from a farmer the next town over, all that we could fit in our vehicle. It looks SO much nicer than the stuff I got from the co-op. I hope the goaties like it when they come on Monday. If they do, I'll put in a larger order.

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BarnOwl

Discussion Starter · #19 · Jun 2, 2021

I may be driving myself a little crazy worrying about hay. These bales look much better than the "straw bale" I bought as hay from the co-op, but is there too much brown? The goats seem to eat it, but I think I'll go get a sample bale from another farm to compare.

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MellonFriend

· #20 · Jun 2, 2021

That looks okay to me. Maybe not the best I've ever seen, but I've fed stuff that was less green than that. As long as it isn't puffing mold when you break it apart it should be fine.

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