Here is a tip I just learned today!

[HazyDay]

When feeding our Boer doe who is due in a few days I got some of moms Beet Pulp. I just mixed and used all my Beet Pulp and noticed that there is 2 different kinds of Beet Pulp. One is plain old BEET PULP the other is BEET PULP PELLETS.
There is a big size difference in these two, so if you are wanting to feed Beet Pulp always ask for the Pellets!

[pookshollow]

All I have ever seen around here is the pellets. I know there's different kinds but that's all we've got.

[Oldntimes]

I use the shredded and I like it just fine.

[Jcran]

I use shredded because I can soak it in a LOT of water and it really keeps the critters hydrated. Has anyone soaked pellets and do they soak up the water as quickly/efficiently as shredded?

[HazyDay]

No their is a HUGE size difference! I looked at them and one normal one beet pulp is 3 times the size of the pellet!

[BlueHeronFarm]

Just to make it more confusing, there is plain shredded beet pulp and shredded with molasses, too. IMO, the plain is better. It will last forever, whereas the one with added molasses may spoil.

[meggie]

I have always fed the shreds soaked and sloppy ,the girls love it. My question is how long do you soak the pellets? The shreds soak pretty quick ,I had read somewhere that the pellets have to soak overnight ?

thanks ,meggie

[hoofinitnorth]

Some places even sell WASHED beet pulp sold as "sugars washed off/out". People with Cushings horses really go for that stuff.

[southerngurl]

Originally Posted by meggie

I have always fed the shreds soaked and sloppy ,the girls love it. My question is how long do you soak the pellets? The shreds soak pretty quick ,I had read somewhere that the pellets have to soak overnight ?

thanks ,meggie

You don't have to soak it overnight, even a few minutes works pretty good.

[Laura Workman]

Or feed it dry. My girls like crunching the pellets.

[hoofinitnorth]

I haven't used the pellets before but there is concern about beet pulp in any form expanding in the gut, thus why it is presoaked prior to feeding.

[meggie]

Cool ,now that I know I don't have to overnight it I'll try the pellets.I'll try anything once. Thanks for the info.

meggie

[southerngurl]

Originally Posted by hoofinitnorth

I haven't used the pellets before but there is concern about beet pulp in any form expanding in the gut, thus why it is presoaked prior to feeding.

That's just a myth, it won't cause any problems.

[hoofinitnorth]

I'm not so sure it's a myth. If you watch the shredded beet pulp, it expands to about 3x it's size in just minutes under water. (Again, never used the pellets so I don't know if they do the same but I suspect they do.) Whether or not that REALLY causes problems in the gut, I don't know, but it is a big reason we NEVER EVER EVER feed beet pulp without soaking it first, at least to the horses. The other reason is choke. I don't personally like beet pulp so don't keep it on-hand but it does have it's uses.

[ONThorsegirl]

Beet pulp expanding in the gut is a myth, as far as I know and have heard because several people feed it to their horses around here dry, and it causes no problems, and I have read about it somewhere in a horse magazine I think about it not causing problems, a study was done.

At work we sell Beet Pulp Pellets-with mollases. and Shredded beet pulp, the pellets seem to be more popular but Shredded is gaining in popularity.

I was wonering why do you guys feed beet pulp to your goats?

I know I fed it to me steers and sheep to get water into them, when we go to fairs they often wont drink the town water so its a great way to get water into them and fills them out. I was wondering why to your goats? just a question!

Melissa

[Cloverbud]

Beet pulp kind of straddles the fence between a roughage and a concentrate, having the best qualities of both, without the danger of spiking blood glucose and laminitis. It's also very highly digestible. I can see feeding it to goats who need more calories without more sugars. It's great for safely putting weight on skinny animals

I prefer feeding it dry when possible, as my horses are slow eaters. If soaked, it tends to freeze in the winter or sour in warmer weather before they finish it. In four years I've never had anyone choke on it, but I can see where a horse prone to choke might.

[ONThorsegirl]

Clover....from what I have read on Beet pulp tags beet pulp isn't high in fat, so putting weight on...how much would you feed a goat that you need to put weight on?

Melissa

[KimM]

When I feed beet pulp, I feed the shredded, plain, about 1 cup per feeding. In a pinch, I would mix half alfalfa pellets and half beet pulp in place of hay when I had mini horses.

[Feral Nature]

I feed the shredded beet pulp dry. I have never soaked it. I also have never even seen the pellets. I also feed a pretty big amount of it. I feed 1 part beet pulp to 2 parts alfalfa pellets mixed together. Over the last few years I have fed hundreds and hundreds of pounds of it with no problems.

[fcnubian]

I feed dry shredded beet pulp. I wont even bother with the pellets. I get the beet pulp for the horses and goats. Everyone gets it dry.