How Much to Feed Nigerian Dwarf in Milk

[OneFineAcre]

I have Nigerians Dwarfs and we milk test ours. In my opnion 2 cups of feed and 2 cups of alfalfa pellets is not out of line along with free choice hay.
I don't give any BOSS, never have. I've never seen the point if you are giving a balanced feed.
Why don't you post a picture of her.
Not unusual for some does to lose some condition when in milk. Some does are not "easy" keepers in that regard. I've got a couple that require extra when in milk.
If you don't like the way she looks then increase her feed gradually.

 

[OneFineAcre]

We use an Udderly EZ hand milker.
We have to strip ours out to get the last milk too.

 

[Southern by choice]

Agree with @OneFineAcre
We never use BOSS.
She probably is holding back, most that are dam raising do- can't blame them!

If she needs more that is ok... but keep in mind Nigerians LOVE food.
I think the dairy goat feed is a better choice because it is balance and giving overall nutrition.
I like alfalfa hay over alfalfa pellets.

 

[margeaux]

I'll try to get some pics a bit later to post. She wouldn't stand still before when I was trying to take her picture. She always think I must have food in my phone!

I already bought a 50 lb bag of BOSS so I'll give it to her by the handful as treats maybe. I'd like to take her on walks in our woods so maybe it'll help me train her to follow.

She's on a dairy mix. And I'd prefer alfalfa hay for sure but I haven't found an affordable place to buy it yet. Hopefully I'll find one!

Thanks!

 

[MikeLM]

I give my Nigerian Does in milk 3 cups of goat chow twice a day. I feed Alfalfa mixed hay, so I don't do the pellets. Like others said the BOSS is more of a treat, there might be some non milk related benefits too it.

 

[OneFineAcre]

I prefer alfalfa hay too, but it is cost prohibitive.
We feed grass hay and supplement with the pellets.

 

[MikeLM]

I prefer alfalfa hay too, but it is cost prohibitive.
We feed grass hay and supplement with the pellets.

I've done that when I've bought the wrong load. I'm fortunate in that there is a hay auction every Wednesday 7 miles up the road.

 

[OneFineAcre]

I give my Nigerian Does in milk 3 cups of goat chow twice a day. I feed Alfalfa mixed hay, so I don't do the pellets. Like others said the BOSS is more of a treat, there might be some non milk related benefits too it.

Mine don't get 6 cups of feed I don't think
We feed in mass so I can't say for sure how' much exactly
And then the milkers get more on the stand, but we dam wise so......
We have 22 adult does
2 are dry seniors and there are 8 yearlings so that means there are 12 in milk
We mix 9 quarts of a local mix feed
3 quarts of alfalfa pellets and 3 quarts of dry shredded beet pulp

THey get that twice per day
And they are still 20 babies eating some too varying amounts

I had 8 does get milk stars last year on 305 milk test and all are in good condition. We show and appraise our goats

 

[Southern by choice]

Mine don't get 6 cups of feed I don't think
We feed in mass so I can't say for sure how' much exactly
And then the milkers get more on the stand, but we dam wise so......
We have 22 adult does
2 are dry seniors and there are 8 yearlings so that means there are 12 in milk
We mix 9 quarts of a local mix feed
3 quarts of alfalfa pellets and 3 quarts of dry shredded beet pulp

THey get that twice per day
And they are still 20 babies eating some too varying amounts

Use to make me nuts when we woulld get a goat and ask how much feed they got and the people would say I don't know we just give them what they want on the stand... or we pour it in the trough.

LOL it is the same for us... I keep saying we should measure and get an idea but with does to milk and lots of babies and bred does... too many to keep track of to do individual. They eat, look good, give milk so IDK.

Much of the time the straight alfalfa doesn't look good so we try to get a mix. If that is no good we just get orchard. Feed goat feed and offer beet pulp. We have alfalfa pellets.Sometimes they want them sometimes not. Divas the whole lot of 'em.

 

[OneFineAcre]

@MikeLM
Let's see some pics of your girls ?