Author Topic: Giving grass to goats (Read 2656 times)

smudger · « **on:** June 23, 2013, 10:43:24 am »

My lot do get out but high tail it back in doors when its wet and won't even cross the threshold if its raining. I have read (whilst researching cheeses) that some farms zero graze their goats to avoid worm problem / need to worm etc. I have a few overgrown areas I can strim ie 3-600mm high but also have some shorter areas to cut back as well. Normally for horses I would not countenance feeding cut grass but what's best for goats as a supplement for the rainy indoor days? Should it be really fresh or wilted?

thx

Anke · « **Reply #1 on:** June 23, 2013, 09:14:48 pm »

We scythe (using the metal blade on the strimmer) a lot of tall grass for the goats, and once they are used to it they get it wet or dry, as fresh as possible. WE usually do three to four large (sugar beet shred) sacks full and one sack does two large hayracks full. They normally get two portions per day - but I start them off on only a little in April and work up to a full hayrack over a couple of weeks. The grass is eaten within 10 minutes, then we put some hay back in.

I also cut branches whenever time allows, and also feed freshly cut comfrey.

countrywoman · « **Reply #2 on:** June 27, 2013, 10:40:08 am »

I have three zero-grazed goats and I hand cut a rack of grass/nettles/thistles/docks etc every morning for immediate use. They have already had concentrates and access to hay for an hour, then allowed cut grass and in the afternoon I cut branches when I can. I also start with small amounts and gradually increase to avoid digestive upsets. Feeding this way definitely increases milk production when compared with hay alone.

smudger · « **Reply #3 on:** June 28, 2013, 08:55:42 am »

Yes I've noticed they milk more when they have been out all day than in!

Anke · « **Reply #4 on:** June 28, 2013, 02:07:21 pm »

Quote from: smudger on June 28, 2013, 08:55:42 am

Yes I've noticed they milk more when they have been out all day than in!

Definitely! same here.

Lesley Silvester · « **Reply #5 on:** June 28, 2013, 07:11:03 pm »

My girl's yield has increased since I've introduced dried grass into her diet.

sokel · « **Reply #6 on:** June 29, 2013, 09:05:20 am »

with ours If they are out all day the milk drops rapidly if they go out for a couple of hours and then come in for the rest of the day it goes up
we are in Midge heaven though and the goats hate being out among the midge