Feeding Perennial Peanut Hay to Goats and Sheep
Most of the feeding guides online are written for horses. Goats and sheep get treated like an afterthought. They shouldn't — and perennial peanut hay is one of the best forages in the Southeast for both species. Here's what you actually need to know.
Why peanut hay works for small ruminants
Goats and sheep evolved as browsers and grazers, not as monogastric grain-eaters. They thrive on high-leaf, high-protein, high-calcium forage — exactly what perennial peanut hay delivers.
Typical perennial peanut hay nutritional profile:
- 14–18% crude protein
- 1.0–1.5% calcium
- 58–65% TDN
- Highly digestible (NDF 38–48%)
That nutritional spread covers everything from a dry doe in maintenance to a doe in late lactation. You can run most of a small ruminant operation on peanut hay alone, supplemented only with mineral and water.
Daily intake
| Animal | Body weight | Daily hay (lb) | Daily hay (% body weight) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mature dairy doe (dry) | 130–180 | 3–4 | 2.5% |
| Mature dairy doe (lactating) | 130–180 | 5–7 | 3.5–4% |
| Mature meat goat (Boer) | 150–250 | 4–6 | 3% |
| Wether / pet goat | 100–150 | 3–4 | 2.5–3% |
| Mature ewe (dry) | 130–180 | 3–4 | 2.5% |
| Mature ewe (lactating) | 130–180 | 5–6 | 3.5% |
| Growing kid / lamb | 50–100 | 1.5–3 | 3% |
A 20-doe milking herd at peak lactation will go through roughly 2.5–3 bales of perennial peanut hay per day — that's a 75–90 bale monthly order, ideal for a standing delivery.
Calcium and lactation
Perennial peanut's 1.0–1.5% calcium content is excellent for lactating does and ewes. Many small ruminant producers we sell to have stopped buying alfalfa pellets entirely once they switched to peanut hay — same protein, same calcium, half the per-pound delivered cost.
For wethers and bucks, watch overall calcium-to-phosphorus ratio across all feeds. Peanut hay alone is fine; problems start when you stack alfalfa pellets AND peanut hay AND a high-Ca mineral. Pick one calcium source and stay consistent.
Switching from coastal or weed hay
Same 7–10 day transition rule as horses:
- Days 1–3: 25% peanut, 75% old hay
- Days 4–6: 50% / 50%
- Days 7–10: 75% peanut, 25% old hay
- Day 11+: 100% peanut
You'll see better milk production and improved condition in lactating does within 3–4 weeks. Meat goats put on weight noticeably faster.
What about urinary calculi?
This is the question every wether owner asks. The risk factor is not perennial peanut hay itself — it's calcium-to-phosphorus imbalance and inadequate water intake. As long as your wethers have:
- Clean water always available
- Ammonium chloride in the mineral mix
- No grain-heavy diet on top of high-Ca hay
…perennial peanut is safe. Talk to your vet if you have a history of stones in your herd.
Bale handling for small ruminant feeders
Our 55 lb square bales fit standard goat hay feeders and slow-feed nets. For larger herds, consider:
- Wall-mounted feeders to keep hay off the ground (huge waste reduction)
- Hay nets with 1.5–2" openings (slows feeding, reduces waste)
- Pallet-and-2x4 manger for budget setups
Bottom line
Perennial peanut hay is one of the most efficient forages you can feed to goats and sheep in the Southeast. Lactating does milk better, meat goats finish faster, and your overall feed bill usually drops because you can cut grain.
See current inventory → or text (850) 573-0470 or (850) 573-0471 with your goat or sheep count for a monthly recommendation.