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Using field grass as fodder

 
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Hello. Not quite sure where to put this question.

I have grown barley and oats as fodder for my chickens and such, but I just got ahold of some field grass seed that was free to cleanup.

Wondering if anyone has an opinion on the nutrition content of this? Is it worth growing it either alone or as a mix?
Will be fed to chickens and sheep.

Thanks
 
pollinator
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Location: WNC 7b
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Hi Joel, what specie is the field grass?
I have not kept sheep. With our goats a blend if always better for the soil and the animal's health.
Knowing the specie of the grass will help to research the nutritional content.
 
pollinator
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Location: Dry mountains Eastern WA
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Around here everyone feeds grass hay to beef, horses, goats, sheep.  Some farmers grass hay is top notch because they fertilize and care for their ground. Other people just grow grass year after year and it has little nutritional value because the ground is depleted and it may or may not be cut at the right time.

I would not only want to know the species of grass but the composition of the organic matter ( dirt) I’m going to grow it in.  I would do a soil test and amend accordingly if I wanted mY critters to flourish. It’s really an ongoing project year to year.

You might still have to add grains or...?  But good grass can be good forage.
 
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A close pic of the seed mix would be helpful. Somebody around here will know exactly what's in there.

With many caveats, I would hazard that any grass, harvested young and dried quickly, is highly nutritious stuff. No doubt the quality of the soil is a factor in that as well. Your animals will let you know if it suits them.

However, if you keep animals susceptible to bloat, then absolutely know your fodder crops and how to process them safely. Otherwise, tragedy. I have experienced this with an animal under my care. Not pleasant.
 
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