Hey guys,

I was wondering if I am doing the right thing by always feeding my lactating doe alfalpha hay. Can goats actually bloat on this stuff? I am also feeding my little two month old kids, along with their milk, alfalpha hay. I of course use a caprine mineral mix, baking soda, a salt block, and caprine mix grain on the lactating doe. Am I missing anything? Thanks for all the information you all always provide :)

-- Jane (gazelflute@aol.com), May 05, 2002

Answers

Jane, it is change that causes bloat. A switch overnight to alfalfa from grass hay, you run out of grain so you feed them corn, they get into the feed room and eat all the grain they want, after a winter of grain and hay the clover comes up all in one day and they eat to their hearts content, especially new grass that has dew on it, this is what causes bloat.

Alfalfa hay is the very best hay for dairy stock. It keeps your calcium levels up, since most grains contain so much phosphuros, and you want you goats eating 2 times the calcium to phosphuros. Many folks up north who have good keeping quality of thier alfalfa are able to raise all their young stock on 100% alfalfa, the only grain fed at their place is to milkers, and then only for replacement of the amount of milk they give on the milk stand.

Sounds like your management is sound. Vicki

-- Vicki McGaugh TX (vickilonesomedoe@hotmail.com), May 05, 2002.