In cold weather like this, there are really only three things we can do for the animals.
Make sure they have shelter from the ice and snow.
Give them plenty of first-cut hay.
Make sure their water is heated.
Mix in some second cut hay.
First cut hay is what the donkeys and sheep eat normally. The first cut is coarser than the second cut because the spring growth – more rain – leads to thicker stems and stalks and heavier leaves.
Second cut hay, cut later in the summer, has a finer texture and usually a greener color and heavier leaves. It is more dense, the leaves are more tender and nutritious, especially in protein.
The second cut is greener and more substantial, with more levels and a sweet smell. Second, cut hay contains both protein and fat, it is favored for horses who exercise and farm animals when it is very cod.
Second cut gives the animals an energy boost, day after day of extreme cold wears them down. The heated water warms up their insides.
People forget that these are desert and mountain animals, in their natural habitats, they would get none of these things. Maria and I feed the animals first cut hay and then bring out some second cut to mix things up
The animals know the difference and get excited when the second cut comes out. When we’re holding the second cut, there is a lot of excitement.
i just could not pass by without a comment this time. you catch maria in so many beautiful shots…this is the best yet! she is a spot of color in the winter landscape. timeless photo of woman/hay/animals/weather.
She’s pretty wonderful, I must agree…The look of love on her face is pricesless..
You say that second-cut hay contains protein and face. I know what protein is, but what is face? Thanks!
Fat, Jessie…
Is face a farm term for fat? I never heard it before. Is it British?
Fat
to: Mr. Jon Katz:
I am currently reading your book: Rose in a Storm (2010), and like it. Continue writing great books for people to read!
nice discussion. I am in a milder climate so we avoid feeding our horses anything but low sugar grass hay. That green alfalfa , and spring pastures with all its sugar causes widespread laminitis here according to the farriers. Donks need half the calories of horses pound per pound it is said. There are some overweight donks out there. We have a friend whose grass hay is very low sugar, so that is what the donks get. Given enough time they eat it.
We had a pet sheep and sadly dogs killed it , so we have horse, mini horses , and donks.
In your professional opinion should I by my daughter an electric snow blower? She works in Lake Tahoe, and it dumps there.