Not eating Alfalfa Hay

[Catahoula]

My 5 month old wethers are not eating their alfalfa hay. They get four cups of grains a day and free feed on Alfalfa pellets and out in the pasture all day. I really want to make sure they do eat alfalfa hay because when we get snow, they are not going to get to browse much and I don't think the alfalfa pellets will give them enough roughage. I am thinking about locking them inside their pen and only leave them the alfalfa hay and still give them their daily grains and no alfalfa pellets nor browsing...hoping that would force them to eat the hay. I am also concern about UC...eating the grain and not enough calcium to balance. How long should I try this method without risking their health? They have their minerals and kelp meals and water. I want to keep them on grains till they are at least one for proper bone and body growth. Got any tricks to make them eat their alfalfa? I just got the hay and my neighbor's goats are eating this same hay.

 

[ksalvagno]

What breed are your wethers? Is that 4 cups each or 4 cups for both? Does your grain have AC in it? I would skip the alfalfa pellets since you are offering alfalfa hay. More than likely they are happy on the pellets and browse and the alfalfa hay just doesn't interest them. I do like to feed growing kids a grain but you do need to be careful how much you feed.

 

[Catahoula]

They are boer goats. Their grains have AC with cah ratio is 2:1 at 17% protein. Our soil and water is high in ca so the mineral is only 1:1 ratio. Both grains and mineral are from same and local manufacturer. They are over 80lbs now and are getting 4 cups (about 1lb grain) each a day. I feed them the alfalfa pellets because they don't seem to want to eat the hay and I want to make sure they have enough calcium. I think you are right about them liking the alfalfa pellets over the hay. I don't know how much grains to feed and was just going to keep the 4 cups each amount even as they grow bigger. Is that too much? They don't look fat either. I plan to train them for packing or hauling slash and hopefully be able to make them working goats.
I can decrease their alfalfa pellet to see if there is improvement on eating the alfalfa hay. Would you also suggest I lower their grains too?
Thanks!

 

[ksalvagno]

If you have Boer goats, then I probably wouldn't reduce their grain. I would reduce or eliminate their alfalfa pellets. I know some people don't like to feed any grain but I do like to feed grain to growing kids.

 

[Catahoula]

I too feel that growing kids should have a little more than just hay especially if I plan to work them. It was suggested by pack goats owners that I feed them grains well into their 2nd or even 3rd birthday. I will watch their growth and make decision later. Thanks for your suggestion. I am actually finding them picky eaters...not like what most people think they are. These are my first goats and I am enjoying them very much.