feeding elk lawn clippings

[DoubleJ]

Elk eat grass.  In theory, could I take my lawn clippings out to elk territory and dump them out and the elk will eat it?

[PolarBear]

It might be bad for them in the same way that it can become compacted in a horses stomach.     Horses eat grass but clippings can cause big problems to their digestive tract.

[DoubleJ]

What about 50lb bags of alfalfa pellets?

[Jason]

It might be bad for them in the same way that it can become compacted in a horses stomach.     Horses eat grass but clippings can cause big problems to their digestive tract.

  I used to feed the cattle behind my house our lawn clippings, until the farmer
            reamed me a new one.

[runamuk]

What about 50lb bags of alfalfa pellets?

Those are fine.  I am unsure if elk are a ruminant or not this feature ofdigestion determines some of the diet issues.  In horses fresh cut grass is short fiber and HOT it hits their digesttive system and ferments causing gas and pain.....horses can't belch so they colic and because of fermenting and massive bacteria changes they also can founder...this doesn't happen usually to this extent in ruminants.

Short answer yes on alfalfa pellets no on grass clippings....just to be safe

[PolarBear]

What about 50lb bags of alfalfa pellets?

Those are fine.  I am unsure if elk are a ruminant or not this feature ofdigestion determines some of the diet issues.  In horses fresh cut grass is short fiber and HOT it hits their digesttive system and ferments causing gas and pain.....horses can't belch so they colic and because of fermenting and massive bacteria changes they also can founder...this doesn't happen usually to this extent in ruminants.

Short answer yes on alfalfa pellets no on grass clippings....just to be safe

 

[DoubleJ]

so alfalfa pellets are ok?

[Killmore]

Elk eat grass.  In theory, could I take my lawn clippings out to elk territory and dump them out and the elk will eat it?

In theory your correct, but if your grass is growing so are grass's and vegetation that the elk can eat elsewhere. lock them up on a dirt lot and i bet they would eat the clipping's then..

[blindpig]

so alfalfa pellets are ok?

[Yes]

[steen]

I don't see a problem with it.  I've been feeding my horses grass clippings for years.  Horses are sensitive to fermentation (They do not have 4 stomaches like a cow and cannot burp) so it is a must to feed it immediately after mowing, not after you have lunch.  The only time if would compact is if it was very wet.  My lawnmower plugs when wet, I imagine a horse would to.  They say horses get sand colic from eating off the ground.  We have sandy soil and they are healthy, only once did I have a horse here with mild colic.  You can choke on a hotdog but we still eat them.  Just be careful.  Just saying.  Sometimes people think they need to be too careful.

[Dirty Mike]

not to mny elk around shelton where the heck are you packing this ?

[STIKNSTRINGBOW]

Elk are ruminants, like cattle and sheep, and therefore can make use of fibrous feeds because of the microbes that aid digestion in their rumen. However, ruminants vary in their selection and use of fibrous feeds.  Red deer and elk will eat and digest feeds higher in fiber content, but will leave plant parts that bison, sheep and cattle will readily consume.
All deer are highly seasonal in their eating habits. Voluntary intake decreases by as much as 40 - 60% during the winter, as compared to spring and summer peaks. This is a considerable advantage in temperate climates, where low-cost pasture growth peaks at the same time as the feed intake of farmed deer and elk.
Concentration of dietary energy is the strongest determinant of bodyweight gain.
Feeds relatively high in energy content include the cereal grains - corn, oats, barley and mixed grain. Corn contains the most energy of any grains. Vegetable meals such as soybean, linseed and canola meal also contain high levels of energy but are also high in protein value. Oil seeds such as soybeans and canola are high in fat and therefore high in energy content.
Elk are very susceptible to rumen acidosis caused by overfeeding of grain. Grain feeding levels need to be changed slowly to allow the rumen microbes to adapt.

Don't know about lawn clippings  but I do know someone who brings hay bails for their target at Elk Camp, and has had Elk Eating it...

[400out]

Elk will eat hay all day but from what I have read it is not the best for their systems  Grass clippings I would have to say let's not 

[DoubleJ]

not to mny elk around shelton where the heck are you packing this ?

I was going to cut my lawn for a few weeks, dry it out as it was cut, and fill the pick up bed and drive it to raymond

[STIKNSTRINGBOW]

not to mny elk around shelton where the heck are you packing this ?

I was going to cut my lawn for a few weeks, dry it out as it was cut, and fill the pick up bed and drive it to raymond

NO ELK NEAR RAYMOND !!   

[PLUVIUSWAPITI]

Thats right, they have fled the county.

[DoubleJ]

not to mny elk around shelton where the heck are you packing this ?

I was going to cut my lawn for a few weeks, dry it out as it was cut, and fill the pick up bed and drive it to raymond

NO ELK NEAR RAYMOND !!   

I was trying to lure them in from the Colokum

[Alan K]

Find a clearcut or some young reprod, plenty of natural feed there that the elk frequent. Will save you some time and effort, and allow the animals to stay in their natural patterns.

[Sneaky]

grass clippings bad idea.

Alfalfa pellets also not a great idea (this type of feed needs to soak in water before it becomes palatable - I'm not sure how they would work)

Your best bet would be to pick up some certified weed free pressed bales of alfalfa. These are available at most feed stores. If you're going to take it into the woods its important that you get something certified weed free.

[wsucowboy]

It might be bad for them in the same way that it can become compacted in a horses stomach.     Horses eat grass but clippings can cause big problems to their digestive tract.