Devonviolet Acres

[greybeard]

Good planning @Devonviolet!

Inquiring minds want to know, just how does one feed a round bale that isn't in a feeder? Can't just peel off a "flake". Do you just cut into it on the top, or upper "edge" * and keep cutting each time you need some more until only the bottom is left? Maybe one starts by cutting then rolls it on the pallets (would need extended pallet space!) so there is always a "loose" edge to pull from?

* I know, circles don't have edges!

Most people roll it out--or unroll it as the case may be. Cut the strings or netting, roll it in opposit direction it was baled and it will roll right off like cloth off a bolt.
You then pick up whatever is left of the bale and return it to the storage area.

 

[Devonviolet]

We are planning to lift off the layers, as best we can. This is the first time we have done this, so we are in the learning phase. If that doesn't work, we will adjust what we do, and try something else.

We don't have room to roll & unroll, so we will work from,the top down. The plan is to load the loose hay into bushel baskets & carry it to the animals feeders.

 

[goatgurl]

way cool getting the hay off the trailer. i'm like bruce, I had visions of dh being flat as a flitter after the bale rolled over him. so glad it went well.
and bruce like greybeard said if you feed them in the field just unroll them. a lot of the folks around here will set them on a hill and give 'em a push with the tractor and watch them unroll down the hill. my guess is that she is going to pull off chunks at a time and put in the feeders. i'm really blessed in that the gentleman that bales dstr#3's hay across the road stores in in his barn and brings it to me 2 bales at a time all winter. the goats and sheep do waste some but not nearly as much as you think.
so have you made the mozzarella cheese yet? inquiring minds want to know? and your baby ducks are growing like weeds. I know what you mean about wanting to get the duck mess out of the barn. they aren't bad if they are outside and running around but in a confined area they are just messy little things.

 

[babsbag]

Feeding is always so complicated. At least for me it is. The small square bales are the easiest to feed and the hardest to unload and the most expensive to buy. But I like them the best.

 

[Bruce]

The small squares work best for me as well. I could change my mind if I were feeding as many animals as most here though! Especially with the difference in price between @Devonviolet's 900 pound roll vs an equivalent weight in small squares.

I think I'm on bale #21 of 38 at the moment. The boys seem to like some hay daily even though they don't make a dent in the grasses growing in their pasture. I'm guesstimating the two of them may eat about 1,000 pounds a year so I'd be good, or maybe a bit shy, with one of @Devonviolet's round bales.

 

[Baymule]

Devonviolet, the way my sheep eat a round bale, it gets down to layers. They eat into it on both sides and I pull it off the top, down to the sides where they can eat it. Once they get the middle rolled up core, the rest is easy to pull up in layers. I think you'll have no problem getting the hay off for you goats. You got a good buy on it!

 

[Devonviolet]

so have you made the mozzarella cheese yet? inquiring minds want to know?

I haven't made mozzarella yet. But, this afternoon, I made Cheese Curds. YUM!

This is only part of it, as we have already eaten some. I started with 2 gallons of whole milk.

Does any one know where I can find a list of nutrients in goat milk whey? I have been looking, and so far can't find any listings, specifically for goat milk whey. The closest I can find is the following:

http://www.livestrong.com/article

I can find this info on goat milk, But not goat whey. I can also find it for cow milk & cow whey. I would love to see a list of protein, fat, calcium, carbs, minerals & vitamins.

 

[goatgurl]

looks good, I bet it would go great on my little crackers. don't have a clue about the nutrients in goats milk whey but will help you look.

 

[Baymule]

We've got to come see ya'll........just have LOTS of milk, cream, cheese and your fabulous salad!

does your sweet DH like lemon chess pie?

 

[Devonviolet]

We've got to come see ya'll........just have LOTS of milk, cream, cheese and your fabulous salad!

does your sweet DH like lemon chess pie?

Well, since I'm still learning, making each new cheese uses up a lot of my energy. The cheese curds took several hours to make, and I was exhausted last night. So, until I get more comfortable making these cheeses, we might have to hold off on a cheese tasting party.

DH said he loves lemon chess pie, and appreciates the offer. But, he isn't eating carbs lately, because he has figured out that carbs contribute to fatigue and achy joints.