free choice or controlled??

[RockyPhoenix]

What do you guys do? which is more wasteful in your opinion?

 

[RockyPhoenix]

also what kind for wethers? grass or grass/alfalfa?

 

[RainySunday]

I do free choice alfalfa hay (and water and loose minerals), then grain and alfalfa pellets on the milk stand for my 2 lactating does.

Everything I've read here indicates that goats are wasteful with hay and they need access to it all the time (unless on good pasture)

 

[20kidsonhill]

We do controlled, but we put out enough hay to last mostly until the next feeding, then put more hay out, keeps them from wasting it and picking through it. But the kind of hay feeder you use, will determin waste more than anything.

We only do mixed grass 2nd or 3rd cutting hay, only use alfalfa on lactating does.

 

[elevan]

We do free choice hay, mineral and water.

Hay is orchard grass / alfalfa / clover mix 2nd or 3rd cutting for all of our goats.

 

[julieq]

We do free choice alfalfa hay (pure dairy grade as it's cheap around here), free choice mineral salt and free choice baking soda. The bucks get aluminum chloride mixed in their mineral salt, but no baking soda.

The alfalfa stems the goats don't eat gets thrown to the horses, so we don't have any waste.

 

[RockyPhoenix]

thanks all! i think we are gonna go with the two feedings morning/night grass hay thanks!