I am organizing a hay order for the organic Nigerian types in my area. Most of us got hay from this guy in the fall. We are getting an order in a week and so I have a question:
He has a little 3rd cut left and a lot of his 2nd cut left. We aren't considering the 1st cut.
From his description - the 3rd cut is softer and of course - the grass was "younger" when it was cut since you don't often get a nice 3rd cut in a summer growth. If it was growing toward the end of the summer/early fall - it might also be higher in sugar since grasses do that in the fall I've read.
The 2nd cut - is from the same fields, is longer in length, is a bit course.
I was thinking of getting 1/2 2nd and 1/2 3rd.
I'm currently feeding 2nd cut to all my goats, and was saving my exisiting 3rd cut from this man for when the 3 pregnant girls have had their kids.
From more experienced people - I'd like to know what you'd choose. The cost is pretty close so consider it not important for the choice.
Can't wait to hear hay education!!
Judy
Replies
I always feed the new mamas the best hay I can find, so in your case, I'd say third cutting. Second cutting is fine for dry does.
If it were me I would chose the 3rd cutting. The less coarse/stem there is the better the goats will eat it. I base this on alfalfa and alfalfa/grass mix. Here in Wyoming we only get 1 to 2 cuttings of grass. Usually the second cut is left for fall grazing. Not sure about the sugar content.