Carol:
I also tried cubes but found that the sheep would only nibble at them.
it The fibers are too processed in the cubes, then I would have to
assume that the pellets would not be any better, only worse. I only
feed alfalfa to my flock when the weather is extremely cold. They will
founder on alfalfa all the time. I use it to generate extra heat in the
rumen during the coldest nights, or when they have a struggling lamb.
The rest of the time they get prairie hay or Johnson grass hay and some
corn gluten pellets and do just fine. This mixture is also a lot
cheaper to find...
Cecil in OKla
On 10/22/2011 6:03 PM, Carol Elkins wrote:
I'm trying to figure out what I'm going to do when the hay supply runs
out next spring before my pasture comes in. I can't find small bales
anywhere locally and those that are farther away are going for up to
$12/bale. So I'm wondering about alfalfa pellets or cubes. I know of
only two sizes--pellets for rabbilts (1/4 in. diameter or so) and
cubes for horses.
I've learned thus far from a goat site that I trust that you can feed
the cubes in conjunction with hay, but not as a total replacement.
Sheep and goats need the long fiber in hay for their rumens to work
properly. The cubes are too chopped up and processed to be a total
replacement. The site also said that sheep will not be able to eat
those hard cubes "as is"and that I should either break them up with a
hammer or soak them in warm water. That's a lot of work I'd rather not
have to do.
Do any of you have any experience feeding alfalfa pellets and if so,
what quantity and what size pellet and what worked?
Carol
Carol Elkins
Critterhaven--Registered Barbados Blackbelly Hair Sheep
(no shear, no dock, no fuss)
Pueblo, Colorado
http://www.critterhaven.biz
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