Triple Crown Safe Starch Forage

[MaryFlora]

Congrats Abby P! I always learn something new when following how different problems are solved and appreciate the sharing.

Does anyone ever wonder if horses or donkeys stay up all night scheming?

Great car choice!

 

[chandab]

Been about 3 weeks in the new net setup and his intake seems to have leveled off at near-winter levels (chilly nights the last couple of weeks). I estimate he's eating about 7lbs a day which is in line with his historical tendency to nearly double his hay intake in cold weather. He hasn't gained weight and may have lost a little more and his crest seems to be slowly diminishing.

I also discovered that I can indeed fit 10 bags of the forage inside my car so that's a plus.

And, unlike baled hay, you get very little chaff spread all over your car.

 

[Abby P]

It is true, it is really convenient to transport, for sure!

So I spoke too soon on the nets (and of course, I have already ordered another set, yay!). Today he seemed to really be having trouble getting enough out. It's weird because he's been eating fine out of them for three weeks, not sure if it's just that he's frustrated now that the nights are colder, maybe he isn't able to get enough more out to compensate. He's really biting and pawing at the net and has started to do some damage, so since it's going to be cold the next couple of nights I just moved it into a single 3/4" net. He'll probably stuff himself silly but at least he won't be cold!

Next I'm going to try the tub setups again but with the topper clipped back to the bucket again a few inches down from the top to reduce the amount of slack in the net so he can't pull it over the side and shake bunches out that way. Maybe this is best for winter and the doubled nets are best for summer, we'll see. Of course it will be a situation where I'll need ALL THE THINGS.

 

[HersheyMint]

It is true, it is really convenient to transport, for sure!

So I spoke too soon on the nets (and of course, I have already ordered another set, yay!). Today he seemed to really be having trouble getting enough out. It's weird because he's been eating fine out of them for three weeks, not sure if it's just that he's frustrated now that the nights are colder, maybe he isn't able to get enough more out to compensate. He's really biting and pawing at the net and has started to do some damage, so since it's going to be cold the next couple of nights I just moved it into a single 3/4" net. He'll probably stuff himself silly but at least he won't be cold!

Next I'm going to try the tub setups again but with the topper clipped back to the bucket again a few inches down from the top to reduce the amount of slack in the net so he can't pull it over the side and shake bunches out that way. Maybe this is best for winter and the doubled nets are best for summer, we'll see. Of course it will be a situation where I'll need ALL THE THINGS.

Just when you think you have it figured out Hopefully you do now.

 

[Marsha Cassada]

I plan to weigh Billy this week. His girth was about the same when we drove, so I don't have high hopes of a weight loss to report.

 

[chandab]

It is true, it is really convenient to transport, for sure!

So I spoke too soon on the nets (and of course, I have already ordered another set, yay!). Today he seemed to really be having trouble getting enough out. It's weird because he's been eating fine out of them for three weeks, not sure if it's just that he's frustrated now that the nights are colder, maybe he isn't able to get enough more out to compensate. He's really biting and pawing at the net and has started to do some damage, so since it's going to be cold the next couple of nights I just moved it into a single 3/4" net. He'll probably stuff himself silly but at least he won't be cold!

Next I'm going to try the tub setups again but with the topper clipped back to the bucket again a few inches down from the top to reduce the amount of slack in the net so he can't pull it over the side and shake bunches out that way. Maybe this is best for winter and the doubled nets are best for summer, we'll see. Of course it will be a situation where I'll need ALL THE THINGS.

Perhaps a handful of his serving without a net, so he can get past the hangry stage of the meal, with the majority netted to slow him down.

 

[Abby P]

I hang enough for 5-7 days at a time so this was just what he was doing to the hanging net while I happened to be there, about 5 days after it was originally hung. Judging from the condition of the nets he had been at it for a long time and he wasn't hungry (i.e. he hadn't run out) when I initially hung that net. He had seemed OK on Sunday which was day 3 after the net was hung. So he was definitely hangry yesterday but I think it was because he hadn't been able to get enough out for a LONG while. Usually I do throw him a few handfuls while I'm hanging a new net so that he doesn't harass me.

Today I am going to run by and set up the muck bucket with the net secured so he can't pull it out over the sides, and see where that gets us.

 

[Marsha Cassada]

I called the company where I get my supplements and asked if I should continue using it when Billy is on Triple Crown. I think I will just use half for now. Billy seems to be doing really well. I do let him out to graze now that the grass is dormant. If we get a rain and it greens up, he'll be back to 24/7 dry lot. I need to weigh him this week. We've been walking briskly about 3 times a week.

 

[Abby P]

I guess it depends on your supplement - I had been using CA Trace and I took Rowan completely off all supplements but the forage is more supplemented than the cubes.

My additionally-anchored bucket toppers seems to be working well so far. I won't take it to the bank yet though!

One thing I did try is to mix some of the cubes (thoroughly) throughout the forage in one of the buckets. I'm cautiously optimistic about that too - when he can't pull the net over the side of the bucket to shake them out he has to pick through to find them and it seems that he's able to do that without hoovering up too much overall.

 

[Marsha Cassada]

Found this plastic thing in Billy's tub this morning. It must have been pressed into a cube as I did not see it when I fed last night. Bigger than a quarter. Luckily he did not eat it.

 

[Marsha Cassada]

Tonight I checked the cubes and found a sharp rock. I think I will email the company and open a new bag.

 

[Marsha Cassada]

I contacted the company with my concern and they replied promptly. I sent them pictures of the objects and sack label. Last night I checked the cubes and there was a piece of plastic, like from a wrapper. So, I am opening a new bag today.

 

[HersheyMint]

I contacted the company with my concern and they replied promptly. I sent them pictures of the objects and sack label. Last night I checked the cubes and there was a piece of plastic, like from a wrapper. So, I am opening a new bag today.

They didn't have an answer for you concerns? I hope let you know that corrections were made.

 

[MaryFlora]

I hope all goes well with your newly opened bag. It is expensive and frustrating when our feed is compromised.

In September, I had to throw out 50# of alfalfa pellets because they were full of moths.

 

[Abby P]

I'm giving up on the forage - I think it's just too calorie dense for him and too easy for him to eat too much too fast. If I had him at my house and could dole it out in appropriate amounts it might work but right now he's eating ~3% of his ideal weight per day which is waaaaayyyyyyy too much. Switching back to hay - I'll just test the sugar in each batch and hope for the best, I'll be testing fairly often but at least I'll know.

 

[chandab]

I'm giving up on the forage - I think it's just too calorie dense for him and too easy for him to eat too much too fast. If I had him at my house and could dole it out in appropriate amounts it might work but right now he's eating ~3% of his ideal weight per day which is waaaaayyyyyyy too much. Switching back to hay - I'll just test the sugar in each batch and hope for the best, I'll be testing fairly often but at least I'll know.

Can you get the plain TC Chopped grass forage? It's probably harder to find than the Safe Starch, but it has no added fat, so lower calories. The carb count isn't guaranteed, but the average is around that 10% level. Just an idea: https://www.triplecrownfeed.com/products/grass-forage/

 

[Abby P]

Thanks! I probably could get it - I think a big part of the issue though is just how easy the chopped stuff is for him to eat. I can't slow him down enough! My other main option would be the cubes and having the barn feed those but I think he'd scarf them down in about 10 minutes and be left with nothing the rest of the time which isn't great either. I'll see how the hay analysis looks and go from there I guess! It would be a lot easier if he were in my back yard.

 

[MaryFlora]

I don’t remember Abby, but have you looked at the PortaGrazer Mini Hay Feeder? It isn’t cheap but if it works, would last many years!

 

[Abby P]

I have...but the holes are going to be way too big and I really need something that can hold a week's worth of hay if possible. He's using 3/4" hole nets for regular hay and even that doesn't slow him down as much as ideal, he's REALLY good at getting the hay out.