fodder for goats

[Harbisgirl]

Are some sprouts better than others? There are so many different seeds available - is there any benefit to rotating and adding variety? Or are some higher in nutritive value?

 

[Harbisgirl]

Are some sprouts better than others? There are so many different seeds available - is there any benefit to rotating and adding variety? Or are some higher in nutritive value?

Just curious if anybody has an input for this - still looking into this setup. Also curious how much should be fed per animal. I'm interested in feed 3 goats (2 in milk), 2 American Guinea Hogs and 6 chickens.

 

[lovinglife]

I know with people changing up the greens is a very good thing, so can't imagine why it wouldn't be good for animals also, just my two cents...

 

[Hobby Farm]

I've been feeding my goats and chickens fodder for about 3 weeks now. They both love it and gobble every bit of it up very quickly. I had one goat that I was milking pre fodder. Since feeding fodder, her milk production has increased and her kids are growing faster and looking better than any other kids I have ever had in the barn. I had her milk tested before I started the fodder. Once my other goats come fresh, I will send in another sample and see if the fat and protein has increased. By looking at the kids, I'd say it has, but the kids are getting fodder as well, so that may be part of it.

I am convinced it is a great way to feed your animals.

 

[lovinglife]

What grains are you growing for your fodder for your goats? I am interested in this as well..

 

[Hobby Farm]

What grains are you growing for your fodder for your goats? I am interested in this as well..

Barley only right now. I am looking for a source for some good wheat to use for the chickens. I just got a bag of Canadian Peas and BOSS. I am going to top dress the barley with a mixture of this staring tomorrow.

 

[babsbag]

How much fodder do you feed your goat and is she a full size goat or a mini? Also, are you feeding her hay as well? Is the fodder alone enough fiber for her rumen?

 

[Hobby Farm]

She is an Oberhasli that weighs about 75 pounds. I eased her into it a little at a time, and she's now getting 2-3 pounds per day.
No, they still need some roughage. I've been feeding her a cheap grass hay mix ($60/ton). She eats no more than 5 pounds a day of this. I also give about a pound of grain per milking (twice a day). It cost me $0.96/day to feed her.

 

[babsbag]

There is someone on Craigslist selling setups where I live and I have to room to put one and would sure like to try it. But now that you gave me your cost I am not sure it is worth it. Even buying straight alfafa it is only costing me about .50 a day to feed mine. And our alfalfa is 14.00 a bale. I have 21 goats on dry lot and I go through 10 bales every two weeks. That will go up a little when I start giving grain to the milkers, but my hay cost will also go down when I can order it by the ton after the first cutting in May.

I still like the idea of giving them fresh greens, and I know my chickens would love it. Thank you for sharing how you feed.

 

[Hobby Farm]

There is someone on Craigslist selling setups where I live and I have to room to put one and would sure like to try it. But now that you gave me your cost I am not sure it is worth it. Even buying straight alfafa it is only costing me about .50 a day to feed mine. And our alfalfa is 14.00 a bale. I have 21 goats on dry lot and I go through 10 bales every two weeks. That will go up a little when I start giving grain to the milkers, but my hay cost will also go down when I can order it by the ton after the first cutting in May.

I still like the idea of giving them fresh greens, and I know my chickens would love it. Thank you for sharing how you feed.

I am feeding my dry goats one pound of fodder each, 2-3 pounds of hay, and no grain. Cost is $0.15 each. They are all Obies and Alpines.