Question about hay...

[Conservachick]

I just got 2 mini mixed babies on Sunday. I have coastal hay up in their holder thingie which they can easily reach. I have had the same small clump out since Sunday, how long can I keep it there b efore changing it out? I only put out a bit but there's only 2 of them...

It hasn't rained and has been in the mid 70's if that matters...

Thanks!

 

[ksalvagno]

Is it in the barn or out in the elements? If it is in the barn, it can stay there indefinitely. If it is out in the elements, I'm really not sure since I don't feed hay outside the barn. You would definitely have to change it out if it gets wet.

I would smell it. If it smells moldy then you do need to change it.

 

[patandchickens]

I don't know about goats (so maybe I should not even be posting this ) but I can tell you that horses typically lose interest in hay that has been laying outside in a small quantity (as opposed to 'a whole roundbale') for more than 12-24 hrs or so. I believe it is largely because the nice hayey smell goes away, but I couldn't tell you for sure. IME this happens even if the hay is out of the sun and never rained on.

So, it might be worth keeping an eye on it to see if the goats are continuing to eat at it, replacing it if they seem to have lost interest.

Good luck, have fun,

Pat

 

[freemotion]

Small birds tend to land on the edge of hayracks and poop in the hay, too, so give less, more often. In the world of goats, hay is another term for "expensive bedding!"

 

[lupinfarm]

Haha I second that freemotion, My goats love their alfalfa bedding!!

Mine take about 3-4 days to down 2 large flakes of alfalfa hay, and they will eat every last piece so I just leave it in there... but then again, their feeder is inside

 

[MrsCountryChick]

................ In the world of goats, hay is another term for "expensive bedding!"

So true! Mine also tend to eat the straw I spread? :/ I guess our straw has their approval, lol.

 

[aggieterpkatie]

I usually leave it out there until it gets rained on, but every day I'll fluff it.

 

[Conservachick]

Thanks everyone! It is outside but kinda under a cover...I did take it out and put it in their "bed" and put just a bit of fresh stuff in. I still haven't seen them eating it much but since they just "moved in" I think they have been busy with all the other stuff in their yard.