[Jacob-list] Hay woes

[Linda]

It's that time of year again, when we all start to get nervous about hay.  My part of the SE has been in drought conditions for about 6 of the last 8 years.  Last year hay was impossible to find by February.  Usually we can just suck it up and buy hay at an exorbitant price at the feed stores, but this year it just wasn't there for any price.  We were fortunate to be able to get hay from a neighbor that had sold her horses.  The first cutting of hay this year was greatly reduced and some growers were worried about a second cutting.  We got some rain and the second cutting was good.  VERY expensive, but good.  I've good luck finding and using round bales for our sheep at the top of the hill.  I use alfalfa pellets every year to supplement the hay.  Neal Grose mentioned at AGM that pregnant ewes need energy most and that corn is a good substitute for some of the hay ration. 

Two questions:

Does anyone limit the hay available to their sheep?  I was reading at: http://ag.ansc.purdue.edu/sheep/articles/highhay.html and on another site whose name escapes me about limiting the hay. I've got some ewes now that are on grass hay only free choice and they are fat little pigs.

What do you use to substitute for part of the hay ration if needed?

Thanks
Linda


 
www.patchworkfibers.com
Registered Jacob Sheep, Angora Rabbits, Handspun Yarn
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