Feeding alfalfa exclusively

[Kristi Stone]

Is there any issue with feeding alfalfa exclusively? I heard somewhere that alfalfa is too rich and would cause liver issues in goats. I am aware of the issues with feeding too much alfalfa to male goats because of urinary calculi, but I'm not able to confirm anything regarding the liver. Has anyone else heard this? If so, is there some information online that you can refer me to that speaks to this?

Thanks!

[Kristi Stone]

Thanks Deborah. When you say milkers, do you mean does in milk, or do you mean dairy does? 

Also, how does one vary a goat's diet without using grain or alfalfa pellets? We don't really have pasture here, but my does do get some time out on the property where there are some weeds and pine trees to browse, which they do. The rest of the time, they get alfalfa hay and minerals.

[Deborah Niemann-Boehle]

Too much calcium can cause zinc deficiency, but that doesn't usually happen with milkers. Our milkers get mostly alfalfa in the winter. A varied diet is always better because of the wide variety of nutrients.