Hi ya'll, I have a medium sized pile of pine tree branches from my aunt and uncle's place. Is it okay to feed this to my pregnant does? I have heard that it is okay and that it is not okay :/. I think it is some kind of a cypress pine. Anybody know?? Of course they won't be getting a lot of it at once (plus there are, 21 does in the pen so it doesn't go too far anyway). Thanks much!! Suriyah P.S. - Oh and by the way, the does are in all different stages of pregnancy.... one going to probably kid tonight or tomorrow to some not due until the end of May.
I feed my preg. goats evergreeens and never had a problem. I would think that as long as they aren't making complete pigs of themselves there is nothing to worry about. Shannon
I've heard both sides of this story as well. I do not fed pine to my pregnant goats. I think if goats are used to eating it, it probably won't hurt them. My goats don't have any pine trees in their living environment, so I wouldn't introduce a new food that is controversial for pregnant does.
With them likely not used to the large amount of acid in pine needles (or anything they are not used to) I wouldn't go giving them a whole pile to eat. I would give them a branch today and another tommorrow, just for snacking. Change isn't good, especially now when their stomachs are more sluggish and smaller because of the growth of the kids in utero. Vicki
