Do you have experience with goats?
Can anyone tell me whether goats are "seasonal" eaters?
By this, I mean, do they prefer different foods at different times of the year?
The reason I ask is, I've been buying hay from the same farm for almost two years now. The only hay that Pete and Reggie have ever known has come from that farm. Yet, over the last month, they have almost completely stopped eating any hay at all. Instead, they are STARVING for...straw:
Every day, when I go up to let them out for the day, their feeder stands much as it did the night before - still full of hay:
When I recently mulched my garden beds with a layer of straw, Pete and Reggie thought they'd died and gone to heaven...they didn't know where to chow down first:
It wasn't a gradual thing or a new bale type of issue. It was mid-hay bale when they stopped, virtually cold turkey. As if a switch was flipped. I've even changed bales of hay - with no effect. They want straw:
Which has virtually zero nutritional value, right?
Their energy remains high, their ability to get into trouble enormous, they beg for their carrots, and are doing everything else like normal...just. not. eating. their. hay.
Does anybody have any ideas as to what's going on? Do I need to be worried?
I have had some experience but I'm not one to get advice from. Remember I killed two (not one) whethers. They are finicky and too high maintenance hence why we got rid of ours. Sorry big help I am!
ReplyDeleteHmmmm, can't help you here, but am anxious to see what others have to say. Good luck at getting your answer so Pete and Reggie can get some good nutrition in the bellies.
ReplyDeleteI have no idea but I love the pictures!
ReplyDeleteA few possibilities. Has it been unusually cold there lately? While straw doesn't have a lot of nutrition, digesting it will generate more heat than hay. If it has been wetter than usual, they may be finding the hay too wet and craving the dry of the straw. The only other idea I can think of is the hay has gotten moldy. I wouldn't worry unless you start seeing problems in their stools or loss of energy. Mine love to eat straw when they can get it.
ReplyDeleteI wouldn't worry. Goats are tough little buggers. It's obvious that they are craving fiber more than protein right now. Why? Only they know. Let em eat it. Up here in dairyland we mix straw with the haylage for roughage and the cows do fine. Goats are ruminants, right?
ReplyDeleteI have no experience with goats, but have always heard that goats will eat just about anything, including poison oak plants, so I would think that the straw would be OK.
ReplyDeleteGoats are self medicators you know (they eat what their digestive system needs to correct itself) maybe they have a slight imbalance. If it were me, I would add some minerals to thier diet (dolamite is a must)Do they get plenty of trees and shrubs to nibble? a change in eating habbit is a first sign of trouble. Hope evrything goes well.
ReplyDeleteWell, I too raise goats and they just are what they are. They are curious little creatures with all of the personality in the world. I don;t think you have anything to worry about. I have goats that won't eat grain in the barn but run to get it in the field, why who knows. I would worm them now just as a precausion and when the new wears off of the straw they will go back to the hay. You could mix a bit together in their feeder if you would like. They look really healthy and I think it is just the new factor. They probaly think "how come she is not putting this in our feeder?" I love your blog, it is amazing! Just started following yours so I will check back to see what is going on.
ReplyDeleteYou might check with Susie at Juniper Moon Farm(http://www.fiberfarm.com/). She raises sheep and goats for fiber and is a knowledgeable and caring shepherd. She also does consulting regarding farming with these animals.
ReplyDeletenow that makes me wonder..make sure you check that hay over well and see that no other animal may have soiled it. Sometimes if a dog should "sprinkle" on it, it will go untouched. Not that it would touch all the hay, that seems odd. I am with you on that Straw has no value, but is it oats straw or shaft from wheat? Could be some good stuff in that straw they are finding. As long as they look good and full of themselves, it could be a tasty switch also. Anxious to see what they decide!
ReplyDeleteI've never had this experience with my goats. Willie's stall is bedded with straw, but he doesn't eat it. When I first got them and they would sneak in the garage in the winter, I would catch them licking the bumper of my truck - they liked the salt used on the icy roads. So I made sure to keep a salt block at their disposal. Maybe there's a mineral in the straw that they're craving? But Christy's and Cedar View's theories make sense.
ReplyDeleteIf only one of them were doing it, I would worry. Since both are, I might not. No, that's a lie. I would still worry - because I always worry when my animals do something out of the ordinary. My vets don't charge for phone consults, so I would make a call just to have them tell me "don't worry."
The hay has gotten moldy somehow or something is wrong with it. Goats love hay and consume a lot of it all year round. Goats can die from eating bad hay, your boys are smart, some aren't so bright.
ReplyDeleteOnly goats that are starving will eat anything. Many people have not treated goats well, and just throw 'em out to fend for themselves. If goats are well treated and eat good quality grain and hay, they are very picky eaters.
this is a good group to join, I'm not too experienced but many on here are
http://tech.groups.yahoo.com/group/ND_Mini_Goats_Dairy/
I think they got all the nutrition from the cookies they ate the other day! So they're probably good for at least a week!
ReplyDeleteI don't know anything about goats Danni but I know you will figure it out and take good care of those babies.
Danni, I have no experience with goats, so I am no help. It's interesting to see the phases & changes that animals go thru. If they could just talk our language then they could tell you what's up. ...Or if we could talk their language...
ReplyDeleteAs long as they are eating other things as well for more nutrition, straw won't hurt them... as stated in some other comments goats digestive systems dictate to them to some degree what to eat.
ReplyDeleteI would be sure they have free access to minerals and a protein bucket.
Also the comment above about mold in the hay was a good one. Would double check on that :O)...
Would keep a eye on their stool that is usually a very good indication if all is well with a goat :O)...
i've had horses that liked to chow down on their straw beds. my 8 month old goats are in a similar no hay phase. we got a different load and they really don't like it. i've asked for some different stuff in the next delivery, so we'll see if it was just a problem with the load. interesting to hear you've the same situation. they are picky eaters. but so cute!
ReplyDeleteMy first thought when the horses, donks and goats don't eat the hay they are given, is that there is something wrong with it. There could be mold in it, maybe someone did their 'business' on it, etc... The straw is not going to hurt them. Apparantly there is something they want from the straw. Also, you could feed them alfalfa mixed in with the straw and or hay. Just my thoughts on what I would do. You take such good care of all your critters.
ReplyDeleteI don't think the straw will hurt them. We nibble on our bedding until someone poops on it. Goats are browsers and not grazers. Perhaps your hay has too much grass? Ours is first cutting hay/alfalfa mix. With first cutting there is more grass and less alfalfa. I am not sure if that would help, but I agree with the other comment...if you don't already, you need to have minerals out. I'm pretty sure you live in a selenium deficient area for sure. We use Sweet Lix Meat Maker and we all love it, plus the goatmother has started getting us Zinpro for our hooves.
ReplyDeleteI wouldn't worry. The hay is available, they're eating other foods, still healthy and ornery. And the pictures are cute!
ReplyDeleteSigh. I wish I knew how to answer your questions. Im sorry that I dont know. :-( What I DO know tho is that you are the best critter mama EVER. And you are gonna know what to do when something needs doing. You just will. And dont forget, those little stinkpots looked fabulous according to the vet when she was out a little bit ago. But, Im sure she would love to hear from you if you wanna call her just to make sure. :-)
ReplyDeleteNot to worry. Your goats are very healthy and apparently your straw has good stuff in it. I don't use straw because if I bedded my stalls down with straw by the next morning it would all be gone. My goats love it too. Be careful with alfalfa. Wethers don't need it and if you are feeding grain too it can lead to urinary calculi. Goats are browsers and need a lot less feed than people give them. Especially wethers. I doubt your hay is bad they are just filling up on other things. You really have to worry more about overfeeding them than underfeeding them.
ReplyDeleteRemember the saying...the eye of the master fattens the cattle (or goats in this instance)
Do they look healthy? Then they are.
I am not one who knows about medical care for animals but the person that said that goats are self-medicators and just add some minerals to their diet makes sense to me. It reminds of a very smart nutritionist that I work with (I work with kids) about picky eaters....just add a good vitamin and don't worry about it! Advice that I actually have had to follow with my 3 year old. Good luck and I look forward to seeing how this plays out!
ReplyDeleteYeah, watch their poop. As long as it looks normal they are probably fine. I am obsessed with my goat's poo9p.
ReplyDeleteI think frugalmom said it all: The vet was just there and found them in super health. And if this remains a huge concern for you, do call her.
ReplyDeleteWhen I petted them and looked into their sparkly goat eyes, they looked absolutely fabulous to me too.
We have had our goat for 2 years and he changes around on things he will eat. Seems like certain times of the year he craves different plants in my flower beds and yard. If you checked out his picture on my blog you can tell he's healthy. I think someone forgot to tell him he was a miniature.He really seems to have a thing for christmas lights. HaHa
ReplyDeletehmmmm this is very interesting. i asked my human what she thought cause i don't eat straw. she was clueless but thought the pictures were funny. she did say as many others did to make sure they have mineral. she said personally she would go get a bale of hay from someone else and try that out. nothing too different though but she is always afraid of killing us with food changes, actually she's just afraid of killing us, doesn't matter how. she also said goats are weird that way!!! im offended!! your goats should be too. oh well sorry my human isn't helpful. its really sad we have to live with her. maybe you could adopt us.
ReplyDeletegerald the majestic goat
This is random, but I just wanted to say that your donkey, goats and llama are SO cute! all of them, they're exceptionally cute :)
ReplyDeletehi danni...hope over to www.pricillaspeaks.blogspot.com
ReplyDeleteshe holds goatucation days and answers everyones goat questions. plus, it is a very fun blog and i am sure you will enjoy it.
I had to snicker over your boots.. I moved from the prairies to a small maritime fishing village 9 years ago... I had a cute little pair of yellow rubber boots... I now own a pair of real black rubber boots and hate to admit how many days of the year that they are the appropriate foot wear even to walk the .5 km to the mail box!
ReplyDeleteI hit the jackpot today ! I found YOU ! I found you through Dog Trot Farm....and I LOVE your FARM....
ReplyDeleteLOVE the boots..too cute
Love the animals..especially the donkey..i have a crush on ALL donkeys...
Your header picture is adorable...
looks like we have alot of the same interests....
I live in downtown San Luis Obispo, CA..but am lucky to have a fairly nice size yard..it was a concrete driveway when we moved here...but we ripped it out and over the past couple of years I have turned it into an orchard and garden.....
I can't wait to go hit the follow button...
love it here...
i'll be back soon
kary
You've probably already figured this out by now as I see this is an older post but, just in case you are still wondering....Goats are browsers not grazers and require a much higher amount of coarse fiber in their diet. Your hay is too rich and too soft for them. You can mix the straw with the hay to give them more fiber. If you happen to have a hill covered with rank berry canes and shrubs, turn them out on it. They will do a wonderful job of clearing it for you, have a wonderful time doing it and be healthier for it. I hope this helps.
ReplyDelete