I had a round bale feeder that we used for our cows and know longer have the cows.So we are using it for our goats (Boer).I raised it off the ground and put a tarp over the top to keep the hay dry.Also trying to keep them off the hay.Very hard to do.I was wondering if they should have access to this hay when ever they want? This is clover hay and they love it. All the does live at the feeder and are getting quite large and round.They have some pasture they brouse on also.I haven't figured out how to stop so much waste either.Alot goes on the ground which we use in the barn for bedding.I need to put out another bale but I think I will hold off for a while.I am wondering if it may be unhealthy for the to get so large?

Thanks and Merry Christmas to all. Jack

-- Jack Murdock MO. (jrm@salemnet.com), December 24, 2001

Answers

Dunno about goats, but too much clover hay for cows can cause them to bleed excessively if injured. It has a natural anti-coagulant in it.

-- Rose (open_rose@hotmail.com), December 24, 2001.

It's really hard with round bales and horns. Minus the horns you simply put cattle panel around them. With the horns you may want to have the bale on the other side of a board fence, something they can put their heads eaisly through, but solid towards the bottom to keep the very young kids out. And remember in the back of your mind always when feeding round bales, of this story. A very well known Sannen breeder had a goat disappear in the middle of winter, they were nearly certain this very well bred yearling and to have been stollen. Come the spring thaw the smell was evident that there was a dead body under the last round bale, which nobody would eat anymore. it had rolled over and squished her. Clover hay is fine for goats, be carefull with the tarp set up that you aren't promoting mold, which is why you don't feed clover or tarp hay here in the south. Vicki

-- Vicki McGaugh TX (vickilonesomedoe@hotmail.com), December 24, 2001.