alfalfa question

mzgarden · #1 02/12/15, 04:24 AM

We have two 1 yr Nubian does (not pregnant).
We have a friend that has offered us her alfalfa bales at the same price we can buy grass hay bales. We've bought them 10 at a time, several times - good quality, no issues, girls are healthy, no bloat, etc. Girls have free choice minerals as well.

So, my question is -- if cost is out of the equation, is there any reason not to feed alfalfa as the primary hay?

SJSFarm · #2 02/12/15, 06:06 AM

Man, you are lucky! Most of us with milkers would love your situation!

I don't know if full time alfalfa is good for the dry does, so I hope someone pipes up.

ETA; is it real alfalfa or a grassy alfalfa? I found a huge difference when I moved from CA to NY. The so called alfalfa hay offered here, I'd be embarrassed to even call it grassy alfalfa because of all the other grasses in it. It just does not grow well in my area.

Backfourty,MI. · #3 02/12/15, 06:47 AM

I would still want some grass hay or a grass/alfalfa mix hay. I don't think straight alfalfa hay would be good for them 365 days a year but I don't really know either for sure.
We do feed a grass/alfalfa mix hay most all the time because that's what we have here.

mzgarden · #4 02/12/15, 07:50 AM

Yes, we are very fortunate, we agree. We do get some grass hay bales as well and then we sort of take flakes out of both bales and put in the feeders and they seem to eat both. Sometimes we grab more alfalfa and sometimes more grass hay, so it's not 100% alfalfa all the time. Storing alfalfa, hay and straw bales (bedding) in the barn loft, the alfalfa looks very different from the grass hay.

Maybe I'm concerned over nothing, but being new to goats, I just don't want to create a problem without realizing it.
Thanks!

Frosted Mini's · #5 02/12/15, 12:45 PM

Grass and alfalfa are the same price around here too. Alfalfa is a great primary feedsource, especially for dairy goats.

**mygoat** · #6 02/12/15, 12:53 PM

In animals that don't need it, you may just run into fat goats which are directly correlated to fertility problems, and much higher risk of metabolic problems (ketosis, hypocalcemia) at their first kidding. Feeding to maintain a good body weight is essential no matter the feed type you can get.

dozedotz · #7 02/12/15, 03:26 PM

I know already that I am the odd woman out: we feed alfalfa hay exclusively to kids, does in and out of milk, bucks...I might start eating it actually. Our oldest doe is only 7 so maybe we just don't know enough yet. We bought and learned from Joan Coolidge of Amberwood and she fed only alfalfa hay to her champions for literally YEARS without complaint. It is considered "old fashioned" I think and some folks have honestly had some problems with does. I will add that we do NOT feed much grain, live in the woods without much pasture (they do eat tons of acorns, leaves and bark). Maybe the combo is good for them??? Anyway, that is our experience...

Goat Servant · #8 02/13/15, 05:06 PM

We have always fed alfalfa 24/7 here with nary a problem.

Doug Hodges · #9 02/14/15, 07:26 AM

Started feeding alfalfa pellets and free choice Bermuda. I started this 3 weeks ago......maybe 4. Time flies. I've noticed an improvement in the way they look. Very little waste now where they were wasting lots before. I may just stick with the pellets or buy the Ulm mixed alfalfa next time.

coso · #10 02/14/15, 10:19 AM

If I could find alfalfa as cheap as other hay. I would feed it exclusively !!! The only reason I mix is because it is cheaper. If you milk a goat 10 out of 12 months they should not get fat on alfalfa, if they are putting it in the pail. I have fed bucks alfalfa only too, no problems. I just don't feed any grain to my bucks if I feed straight alfalfa, except maybe a little during the rut.