What about soybeans as goat feed??

[DonnaBelle]

DH has the idea of planting some soybeans, and then harvesting them as goat feed.

Right now they are on a local feed company's goat developer/finisher, some Calf Manna and BOSS added since they are pregnant.

They have lots of pasture, and really look good. Not too fat, not skinny.

I don't know about the soybeans though, I am hesitant to give them a feed I know nothing about.

Thanks,

DonnaBelle

 

[currycomb]

a couple years ago, we had leased out some land and the farmer planted soybeans. the beans were ready to pick before all the leaves had dropped off, so they were harvested. it had been a dry summer and hay was in short supply, so hubby baled all the leftovers, bean hay. asked the vet, he saw no problem as long as we introduced it gradually, as you would with any feed change. well the goats did great, loved the leaves. some of the horses sneaked some, and had beautiful coats in the middle of winter. so, to save yourself alot of work, just cut it for hay, and they will get the benifit of the soybeans!

 

[AlaskanShepherdess]

There is a lady here in Alaska who gives her goats soy, but I personal won't give it for the same reasons why I eat only tiny amounts myself, and only when it has been fermented. It is anti thyroid (unfermented) and estrogenic. Meaning it has stuff in it that is used as estrogen by our bodies, and too much estrogen can cause some major problems.

If you were going to give it to them I would make sure it is in small amounts and that you supplement with kelp to counter the anti thyroid effect.

 

[patandchickens]

Soy is notoriously high in antinutritional factors, which interfere with absorption of other nutrients. They have to be deactivated by heating or sprouting or suchlike, if you are going to feed any significant am't of soy. Otherwise you get internal upsets sometimes, plus less feed value than you think, and can get nutritional deficiencies.

This is why you never see sacks o' soybeans sold at the feedstore as animal feed -- only soy MEAL and other processed (been heated) forms.

AFAIK soybean *plants* are not particularly a problem for this, only the mature beans themselves.

Pat

 

[freemotion]

I would avoid soy at all costs. It is in commercial animal feeds but those animals are not expected to live very long lives. They are pushed to peak production, which their bodies cannot maintain for a normal lifetime, so they are sent to slaughter at a fairly young age and then younger replacements come in.

Female animals like hens and dairy animals will produce more on soy initially due in part to the hormone disruptors. Then reproduction will be negatively impacted.

Also, as Pat said, soy had some of the most powerful phytates of any seed and can block absorption of minerals in the gut. Not something you want with goats, especially with goats.

It is very, very bad for humans, too, especially infants and children.

 

[Our7Wonders]

I would avoid soy at all costs. It is in commercial animal feeds but those animals are not expected to live very long lives. They are pushed to peak production, which their bodies cannot maintain for a normal lifetime, so they are sent to slaughter at a fairly young age and then younger replacements come in.

Female animals like hens and dairy animals will produce more on soy initially due in part to the hormone disruptors. Then reproduction will be negatively impacted.

Also, as Pat said, soy had some of the most powerful phytates of any seed and can block absorption of minerals in the gut. Not something you want with goats, especially with goats.

It is very, very bad for humans, too, especially infants and children.

x2

 

[20kidsonhill]

This was very educational!

 

[phoenixmama]

I would avoid soy at all costs. It is in commercial animal feeds but those animals are not expected to live very long lives. They are pushed to peak production, which their bodies cannot maintain for a normal lifetime, so they are sent to slaughter at a fairly young age and then younger replacements come in.

Female animals like hens and dairy animals will produce more on soy initially due in part to the hormone disruptors. Then reproduction will be negatively impacted.

Also, as Pat said, soy had some of the most powerful phytates of any seed and can block absorption of minerals in the gut. Not something you want with goats, especially with goats.

It is very, very bad for humans, too, especially infants and children.

X3

As a breast cancer survivor with positive estrogen receptors...I avoid soy (unless it's naturally fermented soy) at all costs. You know how people avoid BPA because it's an endocrine disruptor? Modern day soy products are endocrine disruptors too. I saw a woman at the store one time with soy milk in her cart and talking about avoiding the BPA in sippy cups! I still wish I would have filled her in...but I didn't want to come off as confrontational.

 

[DonnaBelle]

I am sure glad I found this web site with so many people with such a lot of knowledge and willing to share it.

DH is wanting to plant something that will add nutrients to the soil and he was hoping he could also bail it and feed it to the goats.

Does anyone have any suggestions?

DonnaBelle

 

[phoenixmama]

I am sure glad I found this web site with so many people with such a lot of knowledge and willing to share it.

DH is wanting to plant something that will add nutrients to the soil and he was hoping he could also bail it and feed it to the goats.

Does anyone have any suggestions?

DonnaBelle

You are in OK? I would think alfalfa would do well there...any legume would build up the soil.