Guest User 10/13/26 Guest User 10/13/26

Hay for Pygmy and Miniature Goats

Small stature does not change the basic digestive system. Pygmy, Nigerian Dwarf, and other miniature goats still depend on forage and rumen fermentation. Their diets should remain centered on hay, browse, pasture, and other appropriate forage.

Guest User 10/10/26 Guest User 10/10/26

Preventing Digestive Upset During Hay Transitions

Goats and sheep depend on rumen microorganisms to ferment fibrous forage. Different feeds favor different microbial populations, so sudden dietary changes can alter fermentation faster than the rumen can comfortably adapt. A gradual transition gives the microbial population and the animal time to adjust.

Keelin Smith 10/6/26 Keelin Smith 10/6/26

Feeding Senior Goats and Sheep

There is no exact age when every goat or sheep becomes nutritionally senior. A twelve-year-old animal with excellent teeth and stable body condition may continue to thrive on a familiar maintenance diet, while a younger animal may need special feeding because of dental wear, illness, arthritis, or poor condition.

Guest User 10/3/26 Guest User 10/3/26

Hay Waste Reduction for Small Farms

Hay waste is not one single problem. On a small farm it may occur during storage, handling, feeding, or after animals begin sorting through the forage. Before buying a different hay or feeder, determine where the loss is occurring.