Timothy and Orchard Grass and some Crabgrass mix – This hay is ok and depends on how much crabgrass is in it. Crabgrass is like a weed so it naturally grows in the hay fields. If there is crabgrass in the hay this likely means that the farmer is not using weed killer. Which is great for the chins as it is less chemicals it has to have in the body.
Timothy and Clover – I would find out from the farmer how much clover is in the bale. I feed my chins red clover flowers once a week at two to four clover blossoms. Clover is a source of many valuable nutrients including calcium, chromium, magnesium, niacin, phosphorus, potassium, thiamine, and vitamin C. Clover is also considered to be one of the richest sources of isoflavones.
Health benefits of isoflavones
Research in several areas of healthcare has shown that consumption of isoflavones may play a role in lowering risk for disease. They can fight disease on several fronts. The following potential health benefits are attributed to isoflavones:
Reduce heart disease risk
Isoflavones improve bone health
Reduce cancer risk
Isoflavones are natural antioxidants
A recent study has demonstrated that isoflavones have potent antioxidant properties, comparable to that of the well known antioxidant vitamin E. The antioxidant powers of isoflavones can reduce the long-term risk of cancer by preventing free radical damage to DNA
Fescue Hay
Fescue hay has a reputation as being low-quality hay. Most of the reason is the haymaker and not the grass. Most hay is made at or after seed maturity. Anytime a cool-season plant matures, quality drops rapidly (Kilgore et al., 1980). Crude protein will drop 0.5% per day from boot stage to mature seed stage. Research in southern Ohio (Sulc et al., 1997) indicated that endophyte-free and endophyte-infected fescue mixed with orchardgrass had crude protein levels between 11 and 12% on May 31. The secret to fescue hay production is adequate fertility and early cutting. Early grazing of hayfields prior to plants maturing to boot stage can delay maturity and still maintain acceptable yields. Since hay quite often is not harvested until June, the first cutting of hay can be considered a "second cutting." Make hay when fescue starts to show a few seed heads.
Lespedeza Hay
Lespedeza will produce less forage per acre than properly managed alfalfa or clover but can be maintained with lower production costs.
Feeding trials report that lespedeza hay is only slightly less valuable than alfalfa for wintering calves and dairy heifers. However, lespedeza hay is inferior to alfalfa when fed to lactating dairy cows. It makes excellent hay for sheep and all types of beef cattle. Lespedeza leaves contain approximately twice as much protein as stems.
