These savvy herbivores possess not one but four compartments in their stomachs—namely rumen, reticulum, omasum, and abomasum—all working together as an efficient digestive powerhouse. Zhou, X.; Jellen, E.N.; Murphy, J.P. (1999). "Progenitor germplasm of domesticated hexaploid oat". Crop Science. 39 (4): 1208–1214. doi: 10.2135/cropsci1999.0011183x003900040042x. PMID 21632337. S2CID 8521495. Yes, they can! Either right at birth or even a few weeks after their birth. It is good and healthy for them to eat this type of hay as soon as possible because it helps them strengthen their immune system and improve digestion. If you wait a few weeks until they start trying to eat solid food before feeding them oat hay, you will probably notice that the grass has more nutrients in it by then, making it even better for your baby goats to eat. Oat and rye hay for goats Hitchens, A (6 August 2018). "Hey, Where's my oat milk?". The New Yorker . Retrieved 10 December 2018. By incorporating variety into their diet, you not only enhance their nutrition but also add excitement to their daily routine. Is Oat Hay Good For Goats? (Conclusion)

When it comes to discussing goat nutrition, we cannot overlook the marvel that is their unique digestive system.It does not matter which type of hay you choose to feed your goats, just as long as it is a fresh batch that has been stored in a dry place. Providing them something moldy or spoiled for no reason other than to see if they will eat it anyway is abuse and should be punished accordingly. Does oat hay have an excellent nutritional and feed value for goats? Ciacci C, Ciclitira P, Hadjivassiliou M, Kaukinen K, Ludvigsson JF, McGough N, etal. (2015). "The gluten-free diet and its current application in coeliac disease and dermatitis herpetiformis". United European Gastroenterological Journal (Review). 3 (2): 121–35. doi: 10.1177/2050640614559263. PMC 4406897. PMID 25922672. By gradually introducing oat hay into their diet and carefully balancing it with other forages, you can create a symphony of flavors and nutrients that will keep your goats contented and thriving. Besides, you have to keep in mind that oats and straws are completely different even though they look almost similar in color. Oxbow offers the best quality oat hay for guinea pigs. This hay is rich in fibers, but low in proteins. So, it’s safe for your guinea pigs to feed them occasionally.

Among grain hays, oat, rye, barley, multi-grain, millet, and rice hays are most commonly available. Oat prolamins, named avenins, are similar to gliadins found in wheat, hordeins in barley, and secalins in rye. These are all types of glutens which are commonly called "gluten" in lay speech. [2] Avenins' toxicity in celiac people depends on the oat cultivar consumed because of prolamin genes, protein amino acid sequences, and the immunoreactivities of toxic prolamins which vary among oat varieties. [3] [4] [25] Also, oat products are frequently cross-contaminated with other gluten-containing cereals during grain harvesting, transport, storage or processing. [4] [25] [26] Pure oats contain less than 20 parts per million of gluten from wheat, barley, rye, or any of their hybrids. [3] [4]Moving on to protein levels, oat hay strikes an impeccable balance by providing goats with ample but moderate amounts of this vital macronutrient.

Protein plays an instrumental role in supporting muscle development and repair within their sturdy frames. Oat hay proves itself as an invaluable addition to any goat’s diet due to its remarkable nutritional profile. Vetafarm, supply their own brands of fescue and alfalfa (Lucerne) Hay: https://vetafarm.com/product-category/small-animal/hay-bales/ Latta, Robert G.; Bekele, Wubishet A.; Wight, Charlene P.; Tinker, Nicholas A. (23 August 2019). "Comparative linkage mapping of diploid, tetraploid, and hexaploid Avena species suggests extensive chromosome rearrangement in ancestral diploids". Scientific Reports. 9 (1): 12298. Bibcode: 2019NatSR...912298L. doi: 10.1038/s41598-019-48639-7. PMC 6707241. PMID 31444367. S2CID 201283146. CPW ORCID 0000-0003-1410-5631. Grain hays are high in digestible fiber which are readily broken down by microbes in the cecum or hind gut of horses when harvested at a soft dough stage although rice hays often fall in the poorly digested range.

Oat hay is safe for guinea pigs if it’s doesn’t contain hard seed heads and any harmful molds. Hard seed heads can hurt their mouth and gut. So, make sure the oat hay contains immature grains, and well dried. A well-known brand like oxbow offers safe oat hay for guinea pigs. Offering free-choice mineral supplements formulated specifically for goats can bridge any nutritional gaps that may exist. Oat hay can be good for guinea pigs if you use it as an occasional treat or add it as a supporting food in their diet. However, it’s not good to feed them oat hay daily because it contains a high amount of fat. This can lead to unexpected weight gain and other health issues in the long run.