Question on putting them out to pasture?

[Rockin'B]

Finally have new "pastures" ready for the goats. They've been in stalls/small outside lot and eating free choice alfalfa/grass hay and a small amount of grain/alfalfa pellets.

Do goats stand any risk of bloat when moved out to fresh pasture? This new one has some grass and a lot of various weeds and woody "shrub" type of plants. Is it best if they are put out for a short time for the first few days?

Thanks!

[BlueHeronFarm]

Yeah -- I think I would limit their time at first. It's more of a problem in early Spring when plants' nitrogen content is really high (to do with new growth, i think) - but goats are dumb eating machines. And pasture is a diet change, so you would want to do it gradually anyway. Make sure you keep baking soda out free choice - they should be fine.

[Rockin'B]

Thanks! I kind of had the thought that I'd be best off if they were introduced gradually but wasn't too sure.

[Sweet Goats]

BlueHeronFarm said it. I would only let them out for a bout a half ahour in the early morning and a half hour in the evening, for several days and SLOWLEY increase the time, until they are out there all day. That is what I do. YES, keep the baking soda out.

[fishhead]

Thanks for asking the question. I'm FINALLY getting mine home this weekend and they have been on short pasture and hay this spring. The pasture they are going to is full of weeds, coarse grass and some brush so I'm going to be nervous for the first few days. I've got the baking soda ready and have some mineral oil and milk of magnesia on hand too. There's no way I can limit their intake other than to tether them really short.

[BlueHeronFarm]

FWIW - Ours still get bloated sometimes, but never have bloat. Try not to panic the first time they look slightly baloon-y if their other behavior is normal. I think some of the plants may produce more gas? They do in humans, anyway.

[Bearfootfarm]

Load them up with some cheap hay before turning them out and they cant eat too much

[fishhead]

Thanks. I'll get some hay and keep it out for them. Hopefully they will fill up on it first.