O.K. to Feed Goats Oat Hay?

[drdoolittle]

I have had goats for awhile, but I've always fed them grass or alfalfa hay. Is it o.k. to feed them oat hay? They also get feed twice a day, and do graze----of course they don't have too much longer for grazing with fall/winter coming.

 

[drdoolittle]

I just looked it up. Probably not a good idea----don't want them to get nitrate poisoning!

 

[cafarmgirl]

I have fed non producing goats oat hay for years. Nitrate poisoning from oat hay? I'll have to look that up, never heard of it. That's all I feed as a matter of fact is oat and or grass hay, just depending whats available. They might get a little alfalfa once in a while in the winter.

Edited to add: Checked out the nitrate poisoning issue. Apparently this can occur in any type of forage/hay that is grown in area's with an overload of nitrates. So the potential is there no matter what you feed.

 

[greathorse]

It isn't a big deal to have your hay tested you will need to find a county agent or some such. If the weather got real hot and dry during the latter stages it is more likely to have high nitrates and can be quite dangerous. It is awesome feed if it is low in nitrites.