Hay is getting really scarce around here-it is almost impossible to fine any. On the bright side, pastures are greening up realy well! We are so releived spring has come to the sw part of Missouri.

I have understood that turning sheep (and goats) out to pasture in the spring can bring problems. (diarrhea,,worms etc) Everyone has been wormed and vaccinated, but what is there to do to prevent diarrhea? Not from disease (though that would also possibly be a problem?) but for the lush pasture.

Is it too soon? If they don't start grazing soon-we will have to mow! Not! But how do we tell if they are getting enough? do we still provide hay? Sheep are mostly still pregnant-one ewe lambed this week) we do feed grain. The goats will have mush forage-and gran too-they are producing well-one is due any day now, but the other two ae milking.

Any advice appreciated here. We have only a small amount of hay left-so our options are limited. the timing is just not what we are sure about.

Sarah

-- Sarah (heartsongacres@juno.com), March 16, 2001

Answers

thanks for the reply. I think we may be okay with the goats-we have lots of bruch and vines and such for them to help us get cleaned up. We figured that we would still supplement with hay-but that is the tough part-hay is scarce.

If we have the right bruch/forage for the goats, and the sheep have los of grass are we going to do okay? And what would be reasonable for introducing them to the fresh gren stuff instead of the dried variety they ahve ahd now for everal months? Feed and hay in the am, then turn out to pasture and forage, and then bring in for additional hay in late afternoon?

Sarah

-- Sarah (heartsongacres@juno.com), March 16, 2001.

Not sure what to tell ya, since goats and sheep here are on very large acreages of Coastal grass 24/7, all year 'round. During the drought, all livestock have the 1000-1500 pound Coastal bales of hay.

I know with horses, that turning them out to lush pastures will founder them. Would suspect that most livestock not used to it would have some problems. Generally, folks who don't free feed (haven't met any in a l-o-n-g time!) fill them up with hay and then turn them out for like 1/2 hour the first day and slowly build the time up.

-- ~Rogo (rogo2020@yahoo.com), March 16, 2001.

What we do in the spring is to feed the goats hay, then let them out onto a small pasture, for an hour or two. Increase the amount of pasture and the time spent on it daily. Sudden changes are what you need to avoid. Make the change gradually, feeding them hay first, so they don't gorge themselves, and they should do alright. If you have only a little hay and are not going to buy anymore, you should start changing now. Otherwise you will be forced to make a sudden change which would make them sick.

-- Rebekah (daniel1@itss.net), March 16, 2001.

I agree with the little at a time bit, start them slowly this time of year. Mine are used to going out every day, but I wait untill noon so the dew and moisture have dried up. The hard part is when we get several days of rain, and fast, new green grass and clover. The little kids who are just starting to eat grass, but havn't very long, will eat too much, and their tummies are not ready for it all. They can bloat. Best be sure the grasses are dry, and be careful with the kids.

-- Cindy in Ky (solidrockranch@hotmail.com), March 17, 2001.

Sarah, I agree with some of the other folks that a sudden change in hay to grass would be hard on your goats. Have you checked all around the area? I have had to go to the 3rd hay producer in my search for hay. If possible, get enough hay to make the transition easier. My goats have hay offered free chocie year round. I live on a mini-farm of 3 3/4 acre with 2 fenced pastures at the present time. Good luck, I know how frustrating it is to try to find hay after a hard winter.

-- karen (kansasgoats@iwon.com), March 17, 2001.

Our animals can simply go out and eat whenever they want, the barn doors do not get closed. So as the grass and clover does come up in the grassy areas of our property they are used to it. If I was going to introduce any animal out to new lush growth, I would feed them normally in the morning, and put them out maybe and hour in the afternoon, making this time period longer each day. I would make sure that they had hay though. Grass Tetany (staggers) bloat, founder, worm overload, and just plaing green nasty dirrhea are the things to look for. I certainly wouldn't be doing this to a doe who is due any day. Wait until after she kids. Vicki

-- Vicki McGaugh TX (vickilonesomedoe@hotmail.com), March 17, 2001.

I think the problem you're talking about is something the horse people deal with too.... Its (diarrhea) generally caused by keeping them inside all winter on dry feed, then turning them out and letting them gorge on the lush grasses.... It goes away, but they have to watch really close for dehydration.

If your sheep and goats haven't had strictly dry diet, it shouldn't be a problem. If they have, then just let them out for a few hours the first day, and longer each day until they are out full-time. Then, you shouldn't have any problems.

-- Sue Diederich (willow666@rocketmail.com), March 19, 2001.

Mine spend every day on pasture so that when it starts to green they are getting some at a time. Now I just South of you in OK. and in a few weeks I will limit there time and when it rains keep them in the shed. If they are getting too much green grass they will appear bigger (bloated) on the left side. I have one (just had trips) I will have to be very careful with she will bloat, others do not, watch each animal. My horses will be stalled until 12:00 then they will be back in by 5:00 p.m. until summer is here. My husband's cows are just out and I noticed there feces as being rather green, but there is nothing we can do with the set up we have for the cows.

-- Debbie (bwolcott@cwis.net), March 19, 2001.