Alfalfa question

[Tmaxson]

I've read different places that it's not good to give bucks and wethers alfalfa, but I've also heard it's ok in moderation. So what's right? I recently starting giving all my goats a small amount of alfalfa once or twice a week and they love it so I was just wondering.

 

[BarredRockMomma]

All of my goats, bucks, does and wether get free choice alfalfa. I also feed them grain in verying amounts, more for pregant and latcating does, and it goes down from there. The breaders that I know in my area all feed alfalfa free choice as well, with gain verying greatly betwen the farms.

 

[SheepGirl]

Giving male ruminants alfalfa is actually beneficial because it contains high amounts of calcium. The diet needs to have at least twice as much calcium as phosphorus. If you feed grain, alfalfa will help the Ca ratio, but if you don't feed grain you might just want to stick with grass hay since in most cases it is a LOT cheaper.

 

[Tmaxson]

ok sounds good. I do feed a very small amount of grain to the boys and of course they get free choice grass hay plus I also spoil them in the winter with cutting down small pine trees since they have cleared out what they have in their fenced area and they have access to the pasture area which right now is mostly wild onions/garlic for a bit each day.

 

[Straw Hat Kikos]

Giving male ruminants alfalfa is actually beneficial because it contains high amounts of calcium. The diet needs to have at least twice as much calcium as phosphorus. If you feed grain, alfalfa will help the Ca ratio, but if you don't feed grain you might just want to stick with grass hay since in most cases it is a LOT cheaper.

Yup

 

[BarredRockMomma]

Just a note in my area the only "hay" I can get is alfalfa. There are a dozen or so fields with in a five mile radius of me. I would have to search for grass hay.

 

[Straw Hat Kikos]

Just a note in my area the only "hay" I can get is alfalfa. There are a dozen or so fields with in a five mile radius of me. I would have to search for grass hay.

Lucky!

 

[BarredRockMomma]

Hey just head out here and you can have the same problem. During growing season all I have to do is keep an eye open. Most of the time I can get it right out of the field. For the most part I can get it between $5 and $8 a bale. The size of the bales varies quite a bit thou.

 

[babsbag]

Hey just head out here and you can have the same problem. During growing season all I have to do is keep an eye open. Most of the time I can get it right out of the field. For the most part I can get it between $5 and $8 a bale. The size of the bales varies quite a bit thou.

I AM SOOOO JEALOUS

In No. CA we pay 18.50 a bale from a feed store and maybe 14 from a grower. We too have alfalfa fields near us, alot of them; doesn't seem to help my pocket book. You are very fortunate.

 

[WhiteMountainsRanch]

I AM SOOOO JEALOUS

In No. CA we pay 18.50 a bale from a feed store and maybe 14 from a grower. We too have alfalfa fields near us, alot of them; doesn't seem to help my pocket book. You are very fortunate.

X2. I just bought a bale this morning and it's up to $19.99.