hay and minerals... 2 questions, 1 post :o)

[happyvagabonds]

hay... do you find less waste if you fluff the hay before putting it a feeder? or just drop the flakes in as you pull it off the bale?

minerals... currently using the manna pro goat minerals, fed free choice. it's gotten a little damp in the feeder. do damp minerals put goats off it? or will they continue to take what they want?

TIA for comments and suggestions.

 

[DonnaBelle]

You have to freshen the minerals every day or so, the little buggers won't eat it if it's damp.

They will waste hay if it's not in some kind of feeder that catches the droppings before it hits the ground.

DonnaBelle

 

[happyvagabonds]

thanks for the reply )

re: hay... i made a feeder that has a tray to cut down on hay waste... so i have that covered. they still manage to waste a good bit. i am just wondering if it is better to fluff the hay when i put it in the feeder, as i have been... or just leave it in the compact flakes.

does one method prove to be less wasteful? i could test it myself, just wondering if someone already knows the answer...

 

[bonbean01]

That's a good question that I do not know the answer to...LOL...I tend to think that in flakes in the feeder for our sheep there is less waste, and my husband thinks fluffed in the feeder wastes less...so far neither of us has seen any difference...they will always pull some out either way and waste some in my experience. I continue in my stubborn way to put in flakes and he continues to fluff

 

[lilhill]

I have put out hay both ways and cannot tell any difference. One thing is for sure, goats will waste hay regardless of how you put it out, and if someone has invented a way to eliminate waste, I want their secret!

 

[poorboys]

for my kid goats, I fluff the hay, it's easier for them to eat and and get to instead of the flakes, if the flakes are real compact i fluff it for the big girls too.

 

[hcppam]

for my kid goats, I fluff the hay, it's easier for them to eat and and get to instead of the flakes, if the flakes are real compact i fluff it for the big girls too.

I think I'll try it.