Haylage Query

[Midge&Panda]

A quick question. Is haylage suitable for pigs. It's fermented hay which is higher in energy and sugar than normal hay. Anybody ever used it before? Just thinking about older pigs with age related weight loss. Obviously not too much though because of the high sugar content. Thanks.

 

[Tigermoth]

I'd be concerned that the fermentation could increase the likelihood of bloat.

 

[Midge&Panda]

That was my worry but if that was the case would it not cause the same problem with horses?

 

[Guineapigfeet]

I knew a horse who couldn't have haylage for similar reasons - unfortunately the livery yard ignored the owner's own bales of hay for the horse (and instructions to only ever use her own hay), fed her haylage and she died.

I wouldn't feed haylage to pigs because of the fermentation, but many horses do great on it!