Sticky berries: hay issue?

BethW · #1 02/25/10, 09:12 PM

Over the last year, my goats have been getting first or second cut orchardgrass/timothy mix and doing very well on it.

The last time I bought hay though, my hay guy had some really pretty third-cutting bales off the same field. I bought them thinking the goats would like the softer, leafier hay.

Now they've got sticky, clumpy poops. I know this isn't uncommon for a variety of reasons, but is there a reason that it could be the third-cutting hay? They've been on it for several weeks and their poop is still very sticky and clumpier than usual.

mrs.H · #2 02/25/10, 09:31 PM

Make sure they aren't sneaking chicken feed. My little doe used to raid my chickens feeders. Then I found out on the boards that that was a big no no. So I fixed it so she could no longer raid the chickens feeders. Now her berries look like shiny coffee beans.

desertshi · #3 02/25/10, 11:25 PM

Yes, in my inexpert opinion, this could very well affect your goats rumens. Each cutting has a different protein ratio. 3rd cutting typically having a high protein content. If you were switching to these bales it should have been done slowly. You can get them some probios for now since it's already done.

where I want to · #4 02/25/10, 11:45 PM

I know with my little piggy girls that having too much alfalfa, even if I have gradually increased it, can cause clumping poops. I take it seriously and back off the alfalfa if I see that.
But I'm surprised that any amount of grass hay, especially of the same type, would cause that. But since I almost never see really good hay here, I wouldn't know for sure.
You could try backing off the amount they get for a little while and see if that resolves the problem.
I think that clumping is the result of too swift passage of poop and do watch it- if it doesn't go away in a few days, I look for causes.

Starsmom · #5 02/26/10, 08:22 AM

I always use the 3rd cutting for the pregnant/lactating does. Otherwise it is usually too rich for everyday feeding.

BethW · #6 02/26/10, 04:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Starsmom

I always use the 3rd cutting for the pregnant/lactating does. Otherwise it is usually too rich for everyday feeding.

Rats. For some reason, I didn't think it would be such an issue with grass hay. They were switched over slowly, so I'm certain there's no issue from the timing of the feed change. They also have no access to anything other than what I feed them (and limited browse).

Anybody in VA want some beautiful orchardgrass bales?!

where I want to · #7 02/26/10, 09:23 PM

How about locating some inferior bales and mixing it?