Amount of hay

[OneFineAcre]

If you plan on buying and storing then make sure the hay is tested
Usually super cheap hay is just that
Super cheap

It can look good. But doesn't mean it is nutritionally good

Very true

 

[Rescuechick76]

Is it the same kind of hay?

I'm not sure. But I paid $6.75 for a bale of grass hay. Not sure what the better stuff cost.

 

[OneFineAcre]

I'm not sure. But I paid $6.75 for a bale of grass hay. Not sure what the better stuff cost.

Personally I would want to know exactly what kind of grass it is. There is a big difference in nutritional value to different types of grasses, as well as differences in the Calcium to Phosphorus ratio.
Also, it makes a big difference if it is first cutting vs second or even third cutting in nutrition and palatability.

 

[Rescuechick76]

Personally I would want to know exactly what kind of grass it is. There is a big difference in nutritional value to different types of grasses, as well as differences in the Calcium to Phosphorus ratio.
Also, it makes a big difference if it is first cutting vs second or even third cutting in nutrition and palatability.

Definitely. We haven't decided yet who we are gonna purchase it from but the people who have it for sale in our area are in the price range of $2.50-$3.50. So which cut is the best? The first? And is alphalfa what I'd want to get? If possible.

 

[SheepGirl]

If you're not breeding or milking...you are just keeping them as pets, then orchardgrass or timothy hay would be adequate for them. Alfalfa is usually more expensive and it is a legume (not a grass) and it is more nutritious. If it pencils out that the extra nutrients allow you to feed less (and therefore cost less) than feeding more of less nutritious grass hay, then by all means get alfalfa. Otherwise grass hay is fine.

First cut is usually stemmy, and as you get to 2nd, 3rd, and (sometimes) 4th cutting, the hay is generally leafier & greener (ie more nutritious).

 

[Rescuechick76]

If you're not breeding or milking...you are just keeping them as pets, then orchardgrass or timothy hay would be adequate for them. Alfalfa is usually more expensive and it is a legume (not a grass) and it is more nutritious. If it pencils out that the extra nutrients allow you to feed less (and therefore cost less) than feeding more of less nutritious grass hay, then by all means get alfalfa. Otherwise grass hay is fine.

First cut is usually stemmy, and as you get to 2nd, 3rd, and (sometimes) 4th cutting, the hay is generally leafier & greener (ie more nutritious).

Hmm, good to know. I just assumed first cut was the best. Thanks!

 

[OneFineAcre]

If you're not breeding or milking...you are just keeping them as pets, then orchardgrass or timothy hay would be adequate for them. Alfalfa is usually more expensive and it is a legume (not a grass) and it is more nutritious. If it pencils out that the extra nutrients allow you to feed less (and therefore cost less) than feeding more of less nutritious grass hay, then by all means get alfalfa. Otherwise grass hay is fine.

First cut is usually stemmy, and as you get to 2nd, 3rd, and (sometimes) 4th cutting, the hay is generally leafier & greener (ie more nutritious).

x2

 

[misfitmorgan]

2nd and 3rd cut alfalfa is less grass. We prefer 1st/2nd...3rd here even on grass is to stemmy and coarse...it looks like garbage and the goats definitely prefer 1st/2nd for our hay. Thats our goats and our hay in our area.....you may find it very different.

 

[Bossroo]

In Cal. they harvest 5- 6 cuttings of alfalfa per year. The steminess and coarseness is due to harvesting at / near full bloom. In Cal. the cut is made at/ before 10% bloom and the hay is not coarse or stemmy.