Milk Production

[Nathan Justice]

Your grass is not going to give her the protein that she needs to make milk. A Nubian doe that was nursing twins that were recently weaned should be giving you more milk than that. They usually peak production at about 8 weeks but it can drop off sharply if they aren't milked after the kids are removed. I would continue to milk 2 x a day and get her some hay, preferably alfalfa and make sure her feed is high in protein. Nubians are eating machines, but it takes good quality feed to make milk. She may not do any more than what she is this year, it may be too late.

Oh I see. I will definitely try the Alfalfa. I thought that the grass was good enough. I throw some Kudzu in with them but I don't throw much in there. Just enough for a Snack.

 

[OneFineAcre]

Your grass is not going to give her the protein that she needs to make milk. A Nubian doe that was nursing twins that were recently weaned should be giving you more milk than that. They usually peak production at about 8 weeks but it can drop off sharply if they aren't milked after the kids are removed. I would continue to milk 2 x a day and get her some hay, preferably alfalfa and make sure her feed is high in protein. Nubians are eating machines, but it takes good quality feed to make milk. She may not do any more than what she is this year, it may be too late.

x2

 

[Goat Whisperer]

x3 Babsbag's post!

I'm a little irritated that the breeder didn't go over the proper feeding schedule

Because they haven't been on hay since you brought them home, transition it SLOWLY until they can have it free choice. You don't want them overeating on it causing things like overeating disease, bloat, etc. Are they current on their CDT shots?

Do you have a good loose mineral out for them?

What is the does body condition looking like? I know you want her bred, but if she is underweight you really would want to hold off.

Watch her closely for milk fever and ketosis.

 

[Nathan Justice]

x3 Babsbag's post!

I'm a little irritated that the breeder didn't go over the proper feeding schedule

Because they haven't been on hay since you brought them home, transition it SLOWLY until they can have it free choice. You don't want them overeating on it causing things like overeating disease, bloat, etc. Are they current on their CDT shots?

Do you have a good loose mineral out for them?

What is the does body condition looking like? I know you want her bred, but if she is underweight you really would want to hold off.

Watch her closely for milk fever and ketosis.

The lady I got her and the buck from did not milk her. She had plans to milk her but didn't get to start this year. She had her on Sweet feed and regular hay. Twice daily. She and the buck are very healthy goats. They aren't thin at all. But also, after upping her feed and adding the sunflower seed and probiotic, I got a half of a quart this morning and full quart tonight. She has increased a lot within the last 48 hours since I had started those. I added alfalfa this morning.

 

[Southern by choice]

BOSS is not good long term the Calcium Phosphorus Ration is very bad and will cause issues.
1/4 cup has 27.3 mg Calcium but 231mg Phosphorus

Phosphorus is almost 10x Calcium.

 

[babsbag]

Glad that her production is increasing.

Perhaps a little Calf Manna sprinkled on her grain on the stand. I think it is about 20% protein or more if my memory serves me right. I used to feed BOSS, about a 1/4 c. a day and I think all it did was make their coats look better, didn't help the milk production. Also kelp is good as a treat and the goats usually love it. There are a lot of show feeds out there, especially this being show and fair time most everywhere. Just be sure none of the feed is medicated for cocci if you buy anything extra. Beet pulp is another good food for milkers. They make pellets and shredded, I have fed both. Some say you are supposed to soak the stuff as it will swell in the rumen but I have never done that, and never knew that when I started. But I only give maybe a 1/2 cup to each goat when I milk.

 

[alsea1]

Do some research and plant an herb garden for your goats. There are many herbs that help with overall health and production. Fennugreek comes to mind.
Be careful about what you feed your buck. Their anatomy makes them easy targets for urinary stones which usually does not end well. Been there, done that. Very sad. Calcium to phosphorus ratio is critical. Does can usually pass any stones but bucks not so much.
Calf manna is great. I use it. Smells like licorice. My goats love the stuff.
Also genetics plays a big role in milk output. In order to know what to expect it would be helpful to know the goats lineage. Some goats are great producers whereas some are just so so.
One thing is true. Feed changes need to be gradual or you risk an upset rumen.
I try to have kids arrive no earlier than march. The weather is much easier to deal with kids if its not freezing and what not.

 

[Nathan Justice]

I have a whole bag of shredded Beet Pulp in my barn. I used to feed it to my horses, but when I had to put down my older horse a few months ago and I moved my second horse to another pasture, I didn't need it. I will try adding beet pulp as well. I have been looking to use it, just didn't know if it was good for goats or not. Should I give the buck the beet pulp as well? I normally just give him about a cup of feed with 5g of probiotic in it. He doesn't get the Sunflower seed or Alfalfa. He is on grass all day long plus the feed.

 

[alsea1]

If your buck is in good weight I would not bother giving him anything extra. Just make sure he has access to a loose mineral made for goats. Sheep mineral is not adequate. Sheep cannot tolerate copper whereas goats need it.
If you have access to brush,blackberry bushes that would be a welcome addition to any goats diet. They are geared to browse more like deer than cattle.
They also love prize rose bushes. LOL

 

[Southern by choice]

Alfalfa is good for your buck. It is not CALCIUM that causes stones. It is phosphorus.
My goats won't touch beet pulp but you can try it. Some goats love it.
Remember grass does not give all the nutrients you need. Fresh grass has a great deal of moisture so that is mostly water... MINERALS are a must for your buck. Leaves, vines, tree branches etc will be much better nutritionally.