Can you soak haylege?

[MissSBird]

I know this is a very odd question but bare with me...

I have two fattie native types, so feed them hay that has been soaked for 12 hours to reduce the sugers and keep everything as low fat as possible.

Obviously I'm feeling quite aware that there will be a hay shortage this year. Should worst come to the worst, my yard makes its own haylege which there will definetely be enough of. This is really the last thing my two need though!

So, does anyone know. Can you soak haylege in the same manner as hay to reduce the suger content, without damaging the haylege/making it inedible?

Thanks!

 

[tallyho!]

You could but no need to really. I worried about this a few years ago so got it tested by Dodson&horrell for £25. Turns out sugar was only 15% compared to hay which is over 35% sugar. The sugar in haylage sort of ferments in the anaerobic conditions it's packed in.

(My particular hay & haylage btw, can't say for rest of country but if you're worried ask the farmer - they should do tests routinely)

 

[NicoleS_007]

Lots of people on here have asked the same question lol ... yep you can soak haylage, apparently it makes it less fattening? My boy used to soak his own haylage by taking a mouthful of haylage and dunking it in the water drinker and repeating until the haylage was drenched and there was a river of water emerging from under the haylage lol

 

[MissSBird]

Alright. Sounds like a good backup plan!