How Much Hay Do Goats and Sheep Need?

How much hay does your goat or sheep need? How can you calculate how much hay you will need for this winter? What kind of hay do goats and sheep eat/need? Tips for feeding hay.
If you are looking for goats and sheep for sale in the Northwest Alabama area, contact me 256-668-3014 or check out our website www.rollingofarm.com to see what I currently have available.
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[@zebwalton979]

For sheep/goats, this is the most informative channel on this media platform. All factors of herd rearing are presented with a confident, experience, can do, practical, detailed and a refreshing biblical perspective. This channel is a ‘must watch’ for those who wish to raise sheep/goats. I look forward to each new episode.

[@rollingofarm]

Thank you for the very kind words. I’m glad you find it helpful.

[@juliefarrell3957]

In Southern Alabama and just found a goat running the dirt road and very thankful to be learning from your channel...❤

[@rollingofarm]

Glad it’s helpful.

[@davee5384]

As a 30 year goat farmer, I was expecting to come here and give a corrective / negative reply but you are pretty spot on with all your factors. I would only add that high production full sized dairy goats really need alfalfa during production if being milked. As you mentioned, minimal grain. Here , just on the stand while they are being milked. As a breeder I get this question a lot. My general answer is: If you are dry lotted or cant dont have pasture to rely on, then figure 1 ton of hay per goat per year. This should give more then enough and cover any unforeseen issues that might pop up. I would like to add, for a top quality animal, feed your grass hay free choice but then give a measured amount of alfalfa per day. With good quality grass, the extra alfalfa might be as low as 1 lbs per day. This combination of hay produces top quality goats

[@rollingofarm]

I appreciate you sharing from your experience. Very helpful. Especially with alfalfa. It doesn’t grow well here and is difficult to find, therefore I don’t have much knowledge about it.

[@Kathleen67.]

What about Chaffhay as a part of their daily feed?

[@anirthesengalparrot]

How many times a day should i feed

[@welterprado757]

Just found your channel and found very informative. The best so far for goat and sheep keepers, do not understand why you do not have a couple hundred thousands of followers. Thanks for the information sir!!!

[@rollingofarm]

Thank you for the kind words and I’m glad you find the channel helpful.

[@gagelifarms8052]

Always great wisdom. Thanks again

[@rollingofarm]

Thanks for listening

[@ShorterByGame786]

Amazing sheep farm

[@kiddfamilyfarmllc9962]

Here in central KY if we stick right and don’t overgraze, none i

[@justinhicks8386]

Same in western ky barely have to feed hay unless it's a hard winter

[@diazfrederick6912]

Who else like when he say come along and leave you behind lol 😂

[@rollingofarm]

lol 😂 I never thought about that. I do it every video.

[@SugaryPhoenixxx]

@@rollingofarm I like your intro its charming! Albeit it is kind of funny now that I think about it.

[@sameermujawar5595]

Nice 👍

[@miltonmumtaz6174]

VERY NICE

[@rollingofarm]

Thanks

[@braceyrice5413]

Great content...what about feeding grass pellets to goats and sheep?

[@rollingofarm]

That is a great question. I don’t have any experience with feeding grass pellets. I would think it would provide the same roughage as hay, but I don’t know that. Maybe someone more knowable can weigh in on that.

[@electromaniacal]

I'm glad you talked about the types of hay that are good for sheep. That's something I needed to know. Very useful knowledge. Thanks!

[@rollingofarm]

Thank you.

[@darylbrown7849]

Im new at this and am trying to figure out if i need to feed grain or not. I watched an old video of yours where you made grain feeders and fed grain. In this vid i think you said no grain. Not tryin to split hairs just clarifying. Thanks for all your help!

[@rollingofarm]

Thanks for watching the channel and great observation. Grain is not a staple of my program. I do like to “bucket train” them (feed them every few weeks with just enough that if I shake a bucket they will follow me). Other than that I do not feed grain except if it is very cold and I have heavy bred or lactating mothers that may need a little extra energy. I guess I should have said “most of the time” I do not feed grain. Thanks for the question.

[@Chris-ArmyPilot]

Thank you from your friend in Oklahoma! One more question. Could you address their health? Do they need deworming, or any information that would be helpful for a newbie. Definitely subbed!

[@rollingofarm]

Thanks. Yes sir. Check out my videos on worms. Thanks for watching.

[@darrenwheeler4392]

Goats an sheep specially eat lot hay all day an all night if they have no grass to graze on

[@HomemakingwithRebekah]

I needed to know this! Thank you! We have some haybales but they do have lots of stems. Where do you recommend buying hay from? The co-op and feed stores?

[@rollingofarm]

I have the luxury of having several neighbors that bail hay so I can get it local. But I know most feed stores and co-ops do keep it on hand.

[@Dearmormon]

What do you mean by stock piling grass? Is this just grass clippings when you mow/brush hog? Sorry I’m new at learning this stuff. Thanks!

[@rollingofarm]

Stock piling is just letting the grass grow tall and not cutting it or grazing it till winter. Basically it is just standing hay in the field.

[@chimran9472]

❤❤❤

[@sergiofrausto6027]

👀👂👍👍🤝 Thank you.

[@rollingofarm]

Welcome 😊

[@knightwolf2708]

👍👍👍👌

[@jimbuford4147]

when you do feed grain what is your most common formula and is it medicated? If so with what? thanks

[@rollingofarm]

I feed 12% (all natural) because I can buy it in bulk and feed it to goats or sheep (does not contain copper).

[@summermatthews7665]

My goats don't eat the grass

[@rollingofarm]

Interesting. Must be a species of grass they do not prefer.

[@spartanstorm6810]

They only smoke it

[@cecillilly1858]

I have a big question. You seem to know so much. We are wanting to get 2 baby goat. Am I ok get two girls or a boy and a girl. If getting a boy we real don't want nuder the boy. We would prefer he was intact. So could I guess in asking am I ok to getting 2 females to raise to start off and later get a boy.

[@rollingofarm]

Absolutely! Two girls will do fine together.

[@arnoldday5412]

𝚙𝚛𝚘𝚖𝚘𝚜𝚖 🙂

[@crookedpines]

From the video it looks like you get close to your ram lambs. We just bought two Katahdin ram lambs and while searching for them we came across a farm that has zero to do with their rams other than feeding and watering. They said they are too dangerous and it's better that they are afraid of humans.

[@rollingofarm]

If you have a problem with an aggressive ram it will most likely be because he has been petted too much. Bottle raised rams are the worst. I want mine to come if I have feed but be afraid to get too close.

[@hilavilla9182]

We do that with large square bails also. The goats that get stuck. We tape a stick across the horns so thay cant get stuck. We call it a dumb dumb stick😁

[@AlleyCat-1]

Another calculation option that I've read & was told is ... goat's (at least) takes a ton of hay per goat to feed for the winter, they waste on average half of it. Course that depends on how you feed & what kind of hay you feed. Alfalfa gives them more than just protein, it gives them calcium that they need when they're pregnant or nursing offspring. Goat's (at least mine) don't mind stems, but they'll go for the leaves or the soft stuff first, because it's like candy. Don't feed more than they can eat in a feeding. If feeding a round bale, I'd create/buy a feed bin to put it in or around or to keep them from climbing on it & going to the bathroom, so it doesn't get wasted.

[@rollingofarm]

Thanks for the info!

[@anirthesengalparrot]

How many times should i feed 3 or 2 times

[@rollingofarm]

If you are feeding hay, leave it out free choice (unless it is alfalfa or some very rich hay). If you are feeding grain, once or twice is fine, but just not too much at a time.

[@JAGGI_POULTRY_FARM]

Is that hay from rice crop or wheat ?

[@rollingofarm]

My square bales are Bermuda and round bales are mixed grass of fescue and orchard grass.

[@quailjailss]

Oh my god I love your hay feeder

[@TheRealMonnie]

I found his trick and used it last winter and this one. It's great.

[@pasttime8450]

Thank you for sharing this helps alot we raise kiko /boer meat goats and really appreciate it

[@rollingofarm]

Glad it was helpful!

[@frankhoodsenyonjo3947]

Indeed it's informative thank you

[@richardmundo9709]

Thx from florida your info very helpful

[@sarahgrimwood2106]

1.5 of a hay I've been asked to feed can you tell me how much that is it one and a half bayels

[@rollingofarm]

I’m sorry I don’t understand your question.

[@ShorterByGame786]

Beautiful dear

[@wajidhussain9163]

Which is better Fresh Alfalfa or Dry Alfalfa? As we know fresh thing is always better. Pls explain with reasons

[@rollingofarm]

I don’t know much about alfalfa. I don’t have any on my pastures and it’s not easy to get alfalfa hay here. I know the hay is rich, so I would assume fresh is even richer.

[@mobileplayers5008]

Think im planning to raise 5-10 sheeps only. Im wonder why u raised so many. It is for sales them out?

[@rollingofarm]

Yes. I sell them.

[@elliottdebbie2005]

Great content

[@rollingofarm]

Thanks!

[@Carycares1817]

I really like 2 homesteads i watch for fun and learning ,they each have a goat that got lethargic. Took em to vets got shots doing better .they were fed grains and hay .no greens.What do you think happened?

[@rollingofarm]

It’s had to say.

[@rollingofarm]

It’s hard to say.

[@tndeere2]

I have 15 ewes right now that are lambing. I give them 1 small square bale about every other day for all 15 and a mixed grass bale. Do think that is to much or not enough for them. Thanks

[@rollingofarm]

If they are cleaning it all up before you put out fresh hay, it may not be enough. But if there is still some left, then they are probably getting enough.

[@tndeere2]

@@rollingofarm I just thought maybe to much alfalfa. 40-50 lbs bale every other day for 15 ewes

[@borispetkau1246]

In Alberta right now, the price for hay is ridiculous high , 1200 lbs $250 canadian It doesn't make sense to raise any livestock. Some spray straw with molasses, but it's like feed children sugar

[@berriesncarrots]

Hi! My husband and I recently purchased a property that previously had goats. We have found a few carcasses. What is the best way to dispose of goats that have expired. Thanks for your videos!

[@AlleyCat-1]

If you can legally, bury them. Otherwise see I you have a hide & tallow company that'll dispose of them or take them to your local landfill. A lot of time they'll allow animal's to be disposed of that way.

[@rollingofarm]

If they have been dead more than a day, I’d let the buzzards clean them up as much as possible and then bury the bones.

[@Foxxxxx96]

do they eat wheat grass?

[@rollingofarm]

Goats and sheep both eat wheat grass when it is green. However, dried wheat straw (hay) is not palatable and has very little nutritional value. It is used mostly for fall decorations and mulch.

[@mywoobee]

So you're literally gonna make a video until it's how much Hey per goat and then not tell us how much a per goat? You literally made this video like a politician answering a question.

[@rollingofarm]

Sorry if I wasn’t clear. 5 lbs of hay per day per adult goat or sheep is a good benchmark.

[@mlk08012]

He mentioned it several times in the video.

[@mywoobee]

@@mlk08012 No he didn't he told you the amount that he gave his whole herd if you'll look above it tells you the actual answer. Go troll somebody else with your ignorance nobody else here wants to deal with that b*******

[@mlk08012]

@@mywoobee literally @ the 6:20 mark, Lonnie tells you how much hay per goat and per sheep. He indicates 3%-5% of body weight, which for most goats will be 3 to 4 pounds per day per goat and 4-5 pounds per day per sheep. I’m no troll, just someone who has the ability to listen to and comprehend the video as it’s being presented. You should try it sometime.

[@mywoobee]

@@mlk08012 3 to 5% Wouldn't even come close to 3 to 5 pounds A-day. Do you not understand math or do you not know the size of sheep and/or goats and the different varieties. Comprehension doesn't have to be a skill of a farmer we've been doing it for decades, Go back your troll hut