Influence of the Method of Preparation on the Feeding Value of Alfalfa Hay

A factorially designed experiment was conducted with growing sheep in which hay, finely ground (1/16-inch screen) and coarsely chopped (1-inch screen) was fed (1) ground or chopped, (2) pelleted, (3) ground or chopped mixed with water and (4) the reground pellets mixed with water. Feed consumption and daily gains were greater for the lambs fed the finely ground hay than for the lambs fed the coarsely chopped hay. Pelleting the finely ground alfalfa hay resulted in the increased feed consumption and increased gains. When the ground alfalfa was moistened with water, feed consumption and daily gains to almost the same extent as by pelleting. Feed consumption and daily gains were not significantly different for lambs fed the chopped hay, the large 4-inch pellet, or water, or the reground water plus water. For some inexplainable reason water additions to the chopped hay decreased grains. It is suggested that fine grinding is probably the major factor causing the increased feed consumption of pellected hay and that the pelleting process serves to put a fine, dusty feed in a more palatable form.