For those that struggle to chew, Alfalfa Pellets can be fed soaked prior to feeding. To soak Alfalfa Pellets you can use hot or cold water. Soaking time can vary according to the density of the pellets, but as a guide we would expect a 2 hour cold soak or 15 minute hot soak time.
How long to soak alfalfa pellets?
Alfalfa pellets tend to be a bit drier (depending on the weather when and where they were made) so I soak them for 5 hours to get them to completely break down. I have had two choking incidences with two different senior horses on hay pellets.
Can you feed 100% alfalfa pellets?
100% Alfalfa. Alfalfa Pellets can be fed dry in snack balls or as healthy treats, but as they are high in fibre they should ideally be fed soaked or with chopped fibre to individuals that bolt their feed. For those that struggle to chew, Alfalfa Pellets can be fed soaked prior to feeding.
Do you soak pellets in water before feeding?
Yes, water is double the amount of pellets. So if I’m feeding 2 cups of pellets, I soak them in 4 cups of water. When I do this the mixture is moist and completely broken down after a minimum of 5 hours of soaking, but it is not mushy. I stay away from making it mushy because it’s messy and the my horses don’t lick it clean when it’s mush. Reply
How do you feed soaked hay pellets?
I feed soaked hay pellets on the ground in a big wide feed dish at least 1 1/2 feet in diameter (or even larger) that way the horse doesn’t have to work hard and no pellets get stuck anywhere. I have not had a horse step in it other than maybe when he’s done.
Do you have to wet alfalfa pellets?
The pellets can be fed dry, but many horses prefer them to be soaked in water and fed as a mash. For young horses, old horses, and those with dental issues, soaking the pellets first may be a necessity.
Do you soak alfalfa pellets for horses?
For those that struggle to chew, Alfalfa Pellets can be fed soaked prior to feeding. To soak Alfalfa Pellets you can use hot or cold water. Soaking time can vary according to the density of the pellets, but as a guide we would expect a 2 hour cold soak or 15 minute hot soak time.
How do you feed alfalfa pellets?
Usually 15-20 lbs per day of alfalfa or timothy pellets for a 1000# horse. pellets daily over 2-3 weeks. Put the pellets in a bucket, cover with warm water, and then dump them into a large muck bucket and feed immediately.
Should you soak hay pellets?
Pellets MUST be soaked before feeding, as they expand considerably when mixed with water. Shreds can be fed dry or soaked.
Can you feed a horse just alfalfa pellets?
Therefore, alfalfa pellets can be used to add pellets to a horse's diet but it is not necessary. The impact that pellets have on a horse's diet is minimal. Alfalfa pellets for horses usually come in fifty-pound bags and can be found at almost any feed store.
Can horses choke on alfalfa pellets?
Choke can occur when a horse consumes it's food too rapidly, tries to swallow food without chewing it, has reduced or impaired salivation, cannot properly chew its feed because of dental issues and when eating food items that are large like carrots or alfalfa cubes.
How do you start a horse on alfalfa pellets?
2:197:33Feeding Your Horse Alfalfa Cubes: How and Why - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipAnd then try those for about 5 days and if there are no signs of intolerance or allergies to thatMoreAnd then try those for about 5 days and if there are no signs of intolerance or allergies to that substance.
Can alfalfa pellets cause colic?
Any feed material can cause a digestive impaction if it is consumed rapidly. Many horses are safely fed diets consisting solely of alfalfa pellets without problems. However, poor quality alfalfa pellets or a rapid change to an alfalfa pellet diet can contribute to colic symptoms.
Will alfalfa pellets make a horse hot?
Does alfalfa make horses hot? Alfalfa can make a horse hot if improperly fed. Alfalfa is high in protein and digestible energy (the net amount of energy an animal gets from its food), so you should feed it to horses that need the extra energy.
Are alfalfa pellets as good as alfalfa hay?
There is no nutritional difference between alfalfa pellets and cubes, so the choice between the two is based on which type your horses prefer and which you prefer to feed and store. Alfalfa pellets, cubes, and hay provide the same essential nutrients per pound.
Which is better alfalfa cubes or pellets?
DR LYDIA GRAY: So if you think about the space that a pound of cubes takes up, and a pound of pellets takes up, and a pound of hay, it's very different. So it's important to weigh anything you feed your horse. OK. So research has shown there's no difference in the digestibility.
How long do alfalfa pellets last?
Alfalfa pellets blend the stem and alfalfa leaves together. Easy store and has a shelf life of up to 1 year when kept dry.
What is Alfalfa pellet?
Alfalfa Pellets are ideal for providing quality fibre in a concentrated form. High in fibre and suitable for horses, ponies and other animals. Alfalfa Pellets can be fed dry in a bucket or soaked into a mash, which is ideal for older animals who struggle to chew.
Is alfalfa a natural product?
Rich in calcium and other naturally occurring vitamins and minerals. Alfalfa Pellets are an excellent way of providing quality fibre in a concentrated form. 100% natural – free from molasses, preservatives, straw and binders.
How many cups of feed do Nigerian dwarf bucks need?
For my Nigerian dwarf bucks, that is usually between one to two cups each feeding. If I give them more than that, they get full and walk away before they are completely finished. (And then someone winds up peeing and pooping in the feed pan, which means the leftover pellets are now garbage.)
Do forage pellets chew?
The longer stemmed forage takes more chewing. So, if you only fed them pellets, which are pulverized hay, they would not have to chew much. If you give them cubes, they will have to chew a little more because it has not been chopped up quite as small as the hay in the pellets, but it would still not require anywhere near as much chewing as hay, ...
Can you feed alfalfa hay to a horse?
However, keep in mind that alfalfa hay is not appropriate for bucks, wethers, rams, or some horses. If you would not feed alfalfa hay to an animal, then you should not feed alfalfa pellets to that animal.
Can you give pigs pellets instead of hay?
If your animals are on pasture all day long, and you are just giving them something to munch on in the barn, then yes, you can give them pellets instead of hay because they’ve just spent all day eating things that required a lot of chewing. Horses and pigs have a single stomach, so none of the above info applies to them.
Can ruminants eat alfalfa?
If you are asking about sheep, goats, and cattle, the answer is no. Ruminants cannot live on a diet of only alfalfa pellets. Ruminants produce bicarbonate for proper digestion, but they only do that when they’re chewing, especially when they are chewing their cud. The longer stemmed forage takes more chewing.
Can you feed hay pellets the same as grain pellets?
But the nutritional content of hay pellets, cubes, and baled hay are all exactly the same. So, don’t confuse hay pellets with grain pellets. They have nothing in common with each other. You can feed the same number of pounds of pellets, cubes, and hay. Since you don’t need to limit most baled hay, there is not really a limit to how much pellets ...
