Monday, October 28, 2013

Benefits And Shortcomings Of Feeding Alfalfa Cube

By Cornelia Reyes


Feeding alfalfa cube is a kind of feeding forage that is used in the form of a cube as an alternative to long stem hay. It can also be used effectively as the sole source of roughage for all classes of horses. The alfalfa cubes have very high nutrient like protein, vitamins and calcium. The cubes can be custom made if you prefer. You can also feed your pigs or guinea pigs the alfalfa cubes too as an alternative to their daily intake.

One advantage of feeding alfalfa cubes is the decrease of feed waste. As the horse will not have to choose what to eat as they would in long stem hay, you are ensured that everything is consumed thereby reducing wastage. When a horse is fed the long-stem hay, it can decide to separate the stem from the leaves and eat what it prefers. This is prevented by feeding it an alfalfa cube.

Another benefit to be considered in choosing to feed alfalfa cubes to your horse is that you will be able to censor the quantity that the horse consumes over a period of time. The horse will eat all the feed you give it unlike in long stem hay where a certain portion will be wasted.

A merit that we should note is that the cubes have a certain ration of nutrients in it. This makes it easier for an owner of a horse to know the daily nutrient intake of said horse. Unlike in giving the horse long stem hay to eat.

When you feed your horse long stem hay, a lot of dust or mold is usually consumed by the horse. This greatly affects a horse that has a breathing problem and might even add to its problems. The alfalfa cubes are usually dust free and lack the mold that are present in long stem hay which should be avoided.

Storing an alfalfa cubes gives it merits over the long stem hay. All you have to do is arrange it in a truck or a shed and you leave it there. The fact that they are less dense gives you more space to work in in your preferred storage location.

However, there are disadvantages that have to be noted. Forage cubes cost a lot in relation to long-stem hay. This is because they are usually processed first to specifications of a horse and then shipped to where the horse is. These costs make use of the forage very costly.

Another disadvantage is that the cubes require a storage area where they will not be affected by moisture, damp or get in contact with moisture. Any kind of moisture immediately causes spoilage so a horse owner may be required to construct a specific storage area for the forage cubes.

Feeding alfalfa cube to your horse can lead to grave overconsumption issues. You have to carefully censor the amount you give to your horse as the horse will eat everything otherwise leading to it suffering from digestive and overweight problems.




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