Peanut Hay from Johnny LeeWhat is this Peanut Hay? It looks like Edward Scissorhands has been at the shrubbery again! We got some for the alpacas last week. They do love it. But exactly what is it and why feed it to your alpacas? (or horses for that matter). For the straight skinny click here: The Horse: Southern Hay Option is Highly Digestible, Costs Peanuts
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Alpacas generally require between 12-14% protein in their hay. (I am told peanut hay has between 14-18% protein.) Too much protein in the alpacas' diet can cause fiber blow out (this is where the fiber coarsens up significantly). However, expectant moms and lactating females will often thrive on the higher protein hay. We aren't as concerned with this group's fiber becoming more coarse because it coarsens with age and production anyway. This is our first experience with the peanut hay. We are mixing it with local alecia bermuda for most of the animals. The females who are expecting soon and those who are lactating are getting a higher percentage of the peanut hay. We'll let you know how it works out. Share your hay thoughts with us!
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3 comments:
Katy,
I was raised on a peanut farm. I remember at least one thing about peanut hay. It is heavy, or it was back then (late 40's early 50's). A "light bale" weighed about 90 lbs.
One time after I had been off the farm for 3 or 4 years, I was visiting a friend on a ranch close to Beaumont, TX. We went out to load rice-straw hay. I was expecting a big bale to weigh about 100 lbs. I almost threw the first bale over the truck it was so light.
I enjoy your blog and also thanks for pointing out Lori's blog. It gets a daily look see from me.
Mac
Katy,
Yesterday evening I mixed the peanut hay with bermuda hay in my girls (alpaca) feeders. I went out to the barn this morning and it looked like my girls had a party last night. The stall was full of stems and bermuda. They had pulled out the bermuda to get to the peanut hay. They love it.
Stephanie
Stephanie, those girls are so adorable! Hopefully this hay will give you some bouncing baby girl cria before you know it!
Mac, Jeremy will agree with you about those heavy bales. As he was unloading it he was asking me for machinery to help him next time we put up peanut hay!
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