bloat mystery

duckidaho · #1 05/03/12, 05:52 PM

I had a severely bloated goat last night. But only one of six was bloated. I'm feeding alfalfa that is mostly high quality, but it's the end of the storage season and I suppose there could have been some moldy spots. Can mold cause bloat?

She's not on new pasture and I don't think she got into the grain. What else might cause bloat? Thanks,

mrs whodunit · #2 05/03/12, 05:56 PM

I have a goat that bloats every time I put a new bale of alfalfa in their feeder. Its just the way she is.

boerboy · #3 01/30/15, 01:56 AM

My goats don't handle alfalfa well. Tried few times and gave up.
They do great with orchard grass.
My friends tell me alfalfa is too rich for goats, great for horses

Frosted Mini's · #4 01/30/15, 02:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sugumarg

My friends tell me alfalfa is too rich for goats, great for horses

That's pretty much the opposite than I have considered. Most people's horses don't do much but hang out in the pasture. Most goats are working animals and need the higher nutritional content of alfalfa vs a grass hay.

**mygoat** · #5 01/30/15, 02:17 AM

Rapid diet change causes bloat.

What kind of animals are effected? Some live stages never need alfalfa. Some life stages, such as highly lactating animals, GREATLY benefit from alfalfa. If your animals don't need it, don't feed it. If they're animals that should need it but for whatever reason react to seemingly good hay or basic management - why keep them?