Hay and Haylage
Goats should always be fed their hay in a feeder and not on the ground.
The highest quality hays should be fed to young, growing animals and does nursing kids. Lower quality hay can be fed to dry does in the beginning stages of pregnancy. Haylage is also a good forage source for goats. Because haylage is made at an earlier stage of maturity it is often higher in nutritive value than dry hay. Haylage can be substituted for hay in the ration of any of the animals in the goat herd.
Although most silages have molds on them, they are not necessarily a problem. Moldy haylage can be fed to goats in very small quantities: remove any large spots of mold before feeding. Also, keep in mind that wet feeds such as this can also sometimes cause listeriosis or circling disease.
