Got goats? If so, then you need to figure out how to keep them fed throughout the winter when plants aren’t growing as much. According to Arms Family Homestead, the best way to feed and sustain goats all winter long is by planting a wheat and rye pasture mix. You should plant it in a goat-grazing area that’s ideally fenced off to contain the goats.
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To do this, you’ll need a hand-propelled seed spreader with a bag attachment to hold the seed. We’re going to use 150 pounds of pasture mix, which came out to a total of about $33.
Start by turning some of the soil in the pasture where you’re going to plant. All you have to do is load up the seed bag and walk the pasture back and forth where you’ve plowed. You’ll need to refill from time to time, so try to keep track of where you’ve already seeded.
Don’t cover the entire pasture with the pasture mix. The goats can also be fed hay, other natural greens growing in the field, and if you have oaks, a lot of acorns. That way you‘re feeding them more than just grain all winter long.
And it’s not just about goats. Other grazing wild animals like deer will benefit from your planting, in addition to rabbits and, if you have those acorns, a few squirrels. The pasture mix can sprout within a week.
For more information, be sure to watch the video below:
Dumb question, do feed the goats the acorns shell on or do i shell them? I’m new at this lol.
No need to shell them. However, I wouldn’t let them eat too much either. If you let them graze under an oak tree when all the acorns have fallen, they are liable to eat too much and get sick.
Soo what did you have to do to the grass first before spreading the seeds? I’m new to planting so if you could simplify that part.
Also I guess where you live it doesn’t snow? It snows here, so I couldn’t do that over winter, but I was thinking I could plant this blend in the spring to add as part of their diet over summer, instead of buying hay. Would cows eat this?