Goat Hay Feeders
That Avoid Waste

Goat hay feeders are important, because despite what you might have heard about goats, they do not eat everything they see. Actually, they're downright picky when it comes to their food.

Goat Hay Feeders

That includes hay that lands on the ground, and especially hay that gets trampled on. Usually, goats won't touch it. Which is really a good thing. You wouldn't want goats to eat trampled-hay. If they did, you'd see an increase of intestinal parasites - a real detriment to your goat's health and happiness.

That's why providing hay for our goats, especially our small nigerian dwarfs used to be a problem until my husband built this new manger.

We got the idea from Storey's Guide to Raising Dairy Goats by Jerry Belanger. It's an excellent book that gives you all sorts of advice on everything from the right type of hay to birthing and everything in between.

Although in the picture it looks like it is free standing, my husband actually has this one bolted to the fence to keep it from toppling over.

Our Old Manger Had Problems

So, why did we build a new feeder? Our first feeder - the type available at most feed supply stores - encouraged too much waste. Our nigerian dwarfs could - and often did - stand on the platform and kept the other goats from getting hay. Even our larger Nubians stood on it. The hay in the manger got trampled down, and the goats wouldn't eat it.

The old feeder

Look at our old hay holder in the photograph to the right. Our Nigerian dwarves used to jump into the feeder's feeding trough, dirtying the hay and keeping our Nubians from eating.

Goats instinctively avoid trampled hay, and that’s a good thing because it keeps them from getting parasites. I clean up my chicken yard regularly for the same reason. Parasites are the worst. If your herd gets too many parasites, they could lose weight, have diarrhea, not grow as big, and even become infertile.

Eventually, even the Nubians stood on the base. So even with your larger goats, this type of manger can be a problem. Also, because our Nubians were standing on the base, our fence is starting to get bent.

Good Goat Hay Feeders
Reduce Waste

This feeder has a narrow platform our Nigerians can't stand on. The bars in feeders like this one hold the hay in place. They are just wide enough for our goats to get their heads in and eat the hay, but too narrow for them to get in themselves.

We drop hay into the top of the manger. It holds quite a bit, which means I only have to fill it once a day. Chores are a lot simpler with goat hay feeders like this one. Plus, Rick plans to add a cover to the top to protect the hay from rain. Now we have happy goats and even happier humans.

Why Is Hay So Important to Your Goats?

Having good, clean hay available is crucial to your goats’ health. Your goats need the nutrients and fiber daily to thrive. That natural fiber supports their digestion and encourages them to graze. It gives them energy throughout the day. Eating good-quality hay is especially crucial in the winter months because digestion generates heat in your goats, helping to keep them warm.

Choosing the Right Hay for Your Goats

Not only is clean hay crucial to the health of your herd, but different types of hay provide different benefits depending on what you want from your goats. 

If you’re looking for a low-cost way to provide nutrition for your goats, feed them a hay made from mixed grass. But if you have several goat mamas and kids, you will want alfalfa hay. It’s rich in the protein and calcium they need. 

If your herd is made up of castrated males, such as meat goats, you will want to feed them a hay that is high in fiber but low in protein. In that case, Timothy grass is an excellent choice.

Do you have picky eaters in your herd? Choose orchard grass. It’s softer in texture and has a moderate amount of protein.

No matter what hay you choose, make sure your hay is free from dust and mold. It should easily break apart and have a clean smell.

Learn More About Caring for Goats

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About the Author

My name is Sue Merriam, and I began the journey of self-reliant living more than three decades ago, which enabled me to stay home with my children. Fifteen years ago, I founded Joyful Homesteading to help others save money and face the future without fear. My goal is to give you practical, honest advice so you can save money and experience the joy of simple living. I hope you join me.

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