Forum

Feeding Alfalfa

Posted by Patty Meyer on October 20, 2011 at 7:27pm in Goats 101

Hey all-

When I went to get hay for my does, the man I purchased it from (a dairy cow farmer) was concerned that I might be feeding them too much alfalfa.  It really made me second guess what I'm doing.

Right now  my three  does are dry.  I'm planning to breed in December for May kids.  I'm feeding them about a 4 inch section of alfalfa in the A.M. (for all three of them).  In the evening I give them about twice that much of an orchard grass/timothy mix.  They aren't getting any grain.  They have Mana Pro goat minerals and baking soda free choice at all times.  They don't have access to any pasture, but do have a fenced in area outdoors.

 

This farmer seemed to think that that much alfalfa would make them sick.

What do you all think?

Thanks!

Views: 198

You need to be a member of Nigerian Dwarf Dairy Goats to add comments!

Join Nigerian Dwarf Dairy Goats

Email me when people reply –
Follow

Replies

  • Patty Meyer October 23, 2011 at 12:51pm
    Well...of course!  Why didn't I think of that?  Thanks - you are so right.  I will probably do that. :)
  • Jordana Heath October 23, 2011 at 11:55am
    If they don't need it and are already on the heavy side, just take it away. It will make them adjust quicker, and it's not like your switching hays, your just removing one. It won't hurt them.
  • Patty Meyer October 22, 2011 at 11:16am

    :) Thanks, Rachel.  I gave them about half what I normally would, and they're out there right now calling me and telling me they're NOT happy.

  • Rachel Whetzel at MigMog Acres October 21, 2011 at 12:02pm

    PS... don't let them bully you into not weaning them!! lol They might "pretend" they aren't going to eat anything else... but they will. :)

     

  • Rachel Whetzel at MigMog Acres October 21, 2011 at 12:01pm

    yeah, sorry I wasn't clear on that... doesn't make the does sick, just causes problems conditioning wise, but in bucks/wethers can lead to urinary problems too.

  • Patty Meyer October 21, 2011 at 9:53am
    Haha!  Well, that is something that I am concerned about (getting fat).  I know the two dominant girls could use a bit of a diet before going to visit the bucks in December, so I have to work on that.   My girl who dried up in September just started looking good, so I'd like to keep her this way.  Thank you so much. :)
  • Deborah Niemann-Boehle October 21, 2011 at 9:15am
    I don't think it would make them sick exactly, but they might wind up over-conditioned (fat).
  • Patty Meyer October 21, 2011 at 9:12am
    Thank you both very much!  I appreciate this forum, and all the great info I find here.  I think I'm going to slowly wean them off of the alfalfa.  I hope it works...they're so spoiled now.
  • Rachel Whetzel at MigMog Acres October 20, 2011 at 11:25pm

    Unless your does are milking or nursing, you don't need/shouldn't be feeding alfalfa at all. Free choice hay and minerals should be all they need from what Deb's research (and I personally trust her research pretty heavily.) has indicated. You'll get different replies and opinions on this one, but there is a lot of Calcium and I think proteins in Alfalfa that goats don't need that can lead to problems over the long run if they aren't utilizing them for milk production. More so in male goats, but also in females from what I understand. You should be good with simply feeding the hay you have. It sounds like a good quality hay to me.

     

    Personally, I give my goats hay at the start of the day, and then give them their night time treat just before bedding them down for the night. They go to bed with full tummies, and that's all they need.

  • Janel Rickey October 20, 2011 at 8:25pm
    From what I understand from my uncle who runs a cow dairy, too much alfalfa in cows can cause problems, especially if they are not used to it.  My does are getting about 70/30.  70% grass hay and 30% alfalfa.  I was just giving them straight alfalfa, but was trying to give them some variety for the winter.  So, being a cow guy, may be why he thinks they are getting too much alfalfa.  It sounds like to me, anyway, and I am no expert.   The the ratio you are feeding is really sounds okay to me! I could be wrong, LOL
This reply was deleted.