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Feeding grass pellets?

15K views 13 replies 10 participants last post by  Idlepastures 
#1 ·
As many know, the drought in Texas has made things hard on livestock owners. While I am blessed to have a source of hay, I also own two major hay burners. I'm having to limit hay due to the fact that my source may/may not always have hay when I need it. I hate limiting hay, especially since they are so skinny :(

So I've been thinking about adding in grass pellets, something like these -
Standlee Hay Certified Premium Timothy Grass Hay Pellets, 40 lb. - 5121819 | Tractor Supply Company

Do you think this would help keep them fuller, their gut working, and keep them from burning through the hay?
 
#2 ·
Absolutely, you can stretch your current hay supply with grass pellets. You will replace hay for pellets in equal amounts # for #. You will be shocked how much you are paying for pellets. That 40# bag is going for $9 right now here and the price has risen just like everything else. At $9 that works out to $450/ton. Is hay still cheaper? If you do go with pellets, they store very well so I'd get enough to last.
 
#3 ·
As LHP said, it will definitely help stretch your hay. I'm fortunate enough to not be dealing with the shortage and praying for those of you who are.

I do use alfalfa cubes though for my old man who hasn't got a full mouth anymore. They make a great mash and he gets more out of it than trying to pick through hay. For one horse I don't mind the added expense. It does cost me double for the cubes by weight, I pay $8 for a 50 lb bag of cubes and bales of straight alfala (65-75 lb bales) are running $4 a bale here.
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#5 ·
Sounds good to me. IF alfalfa cubes/pellets were cheaper than the real thing, I might just buy the 50 lb bags! I always travel with a bag of same, just in case. I wrap the bag in a plastic garbage bag (when trailering) in the case of rain. I put any leftover in one of my grain cans. It doesn't have an expiration date, so it's safe to feed whenever.
=( SO sorry about the drought!! =(
 
#8 ·
I too am interested in what folks have to say about hay stretchers. I'm from TX as well. Bought round bales for $30-45 a roll last year. Called on them today and was quoted $110 a roll. Square bales are going for $10-15 a bale even for the cheap johnson grass. And there's no end to this drought in site. My husband is about to broadcast some winter rye seed to possibly get some grass going out there for the winter but its a little difficult to start seed without rain. It's scary for us.
 
#9 ·
We are expecting rain this weekend - probably won't be much, but every little bit helps! We, too, are broadcasting winter rye in hopes of getting some sort of ground cover on our bare pasture...not to mention a little grazing.

Here's to hoping we both get rain!
 
#11 ·
If I could find timothy cubes, I would feed them to our sickly one. He would get more good chewing on the cubes than the pellets he's currently on.

One good note, though - we found another source of hay! Horse farmer ran into hubby and gave him the number to his hay guy. Orchard grass/brome (-0- alfalfa!) 1100 pound bales for $100. No crap, not right of way hay. Still pretty pricey compared to previous years, but we've pretty much given up on our hay field this year...and maybe even next year if we don't get enough precipitation this winter.

I hope this guy has enough for us to use this winter - but if not, there's always the feed store, I guess!
 
#12 ·
Yep.. I think cubes are great! And get a slow feeder hay net!! I LOVE THEM, this is the one i use Freedom Feeder - Small Mesh Hay Nets but dover sells some that are like a regular one (like hang from the ceiling) but with small holes, but I would be worried of my horse's leg getting stuck in the string you use to tie to the wall/ceiling (because you can/should put them down low as they cant get a hoof stuck in them, and its more natural for them). Good luck!
 
#13 ·
Idlepastures, I use the hay nets. They should be called hay stretchers. They last longer if they hang. Horses pawing at them soon break the strands. My nets hold about 3 flakes of hay each. This will last a horse from 5pm until early morning, or the two pigs will devour an entire bale. The nets cause the horse to eat more slowly which also improves digestion. Remember, the faster it goes in....... If you decide to feed pellets, the problem arises again of too fast in, too fast out. A better way to feed pellets is to scatter them over the largest surface possible, ie a 4'x8' sheet of plywood with high enough sides that the horses can't get their feet in. This way the horse nibbles the pellets rather than stuff his cheeks. This works for two horses as long as it's set away from a fence or wall. Years of observation have taught me a thing or two.
 
#14 ·
Thanks everyone for the feed back. Apologize for my lack of responses (I've been really sick.)

I went with two hay bags for now. Seems to slow them down a bit. Hondo is slightly effected, where as Levi is much more slow. I am considering still adding in grass pellets into their feed for extra, but it will have to wait till payday lol. Hopefully next summer won't be this bad on hay :(

I also like the area of scattering the grass pellets, saddlebag. I think I will have husband rig me up something for each pen. Thanks :)
 
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