- Thread starter
- #11
Heather Law
Ridin' The Range
Oh, and she isn’t noisy just in heat. She actually gets quiet during her cycle and turns in to a blubbering goof who acts like a buck 
Do goats need grain?
- Thread starter Heather Law
- Start date
Southern by choice
Herd Master
If condition is good and the feed isn't causing increased production then why feed it. Keep in mind though that often minerals alone may not be an adequate supplement.
California seems to have very bad issues with copper deficiency and selenium deficiency.
If you can get your hay tested that would be great too.
California seems to have very bad issues with copper deficiency and selenium deficiency.
If you can get your hay tested that would be great too.
- Thread starter
- #13
Heather Law
Ridin' The Range
I think I’ll just skip the grain then and watch for issues. Everything I read said that a doe in milk would waste away without grain so I was afraid to stop and not sure what to do. I’ll just keep a close eye on their condition and see how it goes. I think I’m just paranoid because I don’t really have any goat people to talk to and ask questions and the Internet only helps so much. Not sure how to get my hay tested but I can send in blood samples to UC Davis and have them tested for deficiencies cheep since I live in California. They were definitely copper deficient earlier this summer. Rough coats, hair loss on their noses and very ugly fishtails. They look so much better now. Thanks for taking the time to help and inexperienced newbie!
OneFineAcre
Herd Master
I don't agree with what you have read about her first time not being an indication of what she will do in the future. Her production should increase with subsequent freshenings, but a poor producer is not likely to become a good producer.
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- #15
Heather Law
Ridin' The Range
It’s been hard to figure out what to expect. I did as much research as I could but everyone had a different opinion. Could you give me an idea of what I should expect? I don’t really have anything to compare her with or any idea of what a decent doe should produce. I just want a family milk goat for my own use so she doesn’t have to win any competitions but a reasonable amount of milk would be nice. If Scarlet doesn’t do much better I will eventually replace her. Space is limited so it isn’t worth keeping a poor producer. I’m just getting started though so at this point I’m just happy to have any milk. I have high hopes for my other doe, Butter. She comes from much better lines and is much more correct. I was also able to see her parents and her dams udder. If she does well maybe I will keep one of her doelings. Any information you are willing to share is much appreciated. There is so much to learn and I’m not even a year in yet. I realize I may sound a little dumb because I only know what I’ve read about. I didn’t grow up around goats so I have no background to pull from. I’m just the crazy person who decided suburbia wasn’t for me and jumped into chickens, gardening and now goats with no idea of what I’m getting into. I do my homework but there is no substitute for experience.
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OneFineAcre
Herd Master
We are on DHIR milk test so our records are available to the public through ADGA.
I currently have two 2 year old, first freshener does on test. Through our last test in October Marigold has produced 587 lbs through 206 days in lactation. (2.85 lbs per day) Eclipse has produced 599 lbs through 234 days in lactation. (2.56 lbs per day)
Both should earn milk stars as first fresheners so I would say that they were above average.
I currently have two 2 year old, first freshener does on test. Through our last test in October Marigold has produced 587 lbs through 206 days in lactation. (2.85 lbs per day) Eclipse has produced 599 lbs through 234 days in lactation. (2.56 lbs per day)
Both should earn milk stars as first fresheners so I would say that they were above average.
- Thread starter
- #17
Heather Law
Ridin' The Range
Oh wow. That is a lot more than I have been getting. Good for them! Sounds like you have good blood in your herd. Perhaps I should plan on investing in a better doe. Thanks for the help!
Southern by choice
Herd Master
I agree with One Fine Acre when he says
However there are so many considerations.
1) how many kids in the litter
2) dam raising vs bottle feeding
3) time of weaning and start of milking
4) feed intake and value
5) age of doe
Many leave their dams to nurse and they milk right from the first week. Others wean at 8 weeks and start milking, some 12 weeks... and everything in between. Some issues are how you train the udder to milk. The buck you breed to (believe or not) also influenced production on the doe! Yep, I couldn't wrap my head around that one but there are studies and science behind it. Crazy right?!
Personally I don't care about FF udders or productivity because far too often a goat really show more with the 2nd udder, shape, teats, capacity, production.
I do know a few people that were going to cull some goats based on low production. Then 3rd freshening they went BOOM! So, was it poor quality hay? The goat? difference in management? Who knows. I will say I think the average from most Nigerians are going to do a quart a day (2#). Those who are doing things to improve overall (conformation, production etc) are going to have better than average milkers. You may have a doe making 3# a day but what about long term? Does she milk 3-4 # but for only a few months and drop to nothing?
Steady lactation even though the # may be lower in the long run is more advantageous.
Which is pointed out above. 8-10 months is ideal.
This year we had so many FF (we have several breeds) that we dried a bunch off so they could recuperate and just rest for getting bred back. Those FF udders on Nigies especially are really iffy as far as production. Don't give up on your doe just yet.
However there are so many considerations.
1) how many kids in the litter
2) dam raising vs bottle feeding
3) time of weaning and start of milking
4) feed intake and value
5) age of doe
Many leave their dams to nurse and they milk right from the first week. Others wean at 8 weeks and start milking, some 12 weeks... and everything in between. Some issues are how you train the udder to milk. The buck you breed to (believe or not) also influenced production on the doe! Yep, I couldn't wrap my head around that one but there are studies and science behind it. Crazy right?!
Personally I don't care about FF udders or productivity because far too often a goat really show more with the 2nd udder, shape, teats, capacity, production.
I do know a few people that were going to cull some goats based on low production. Then 3rd freshening they went BOOM! So, was it poor quality hay? The goat? difference in management? Who knows. I will say I think the average from most Nigerians are going to do a quart a day (2#). Those who are doing things to improve overall (conformation, production etc) are going to have better than average milkers. You may have a doe making 3# a day but what about long term? Does she milk 3-4 # but for only a few months and drop to nothing?
Steady lactation even though the # may be lower in the long run is more advantageous.
Which is pointed out above. 8-10 months is ideal.
This year we had so many FF (we have several breeds) that we dried a bunch off so they could recuperate and just rest for getting bred back. Those FF udders on Nigies especially are really iffy as far as production. Don't give up on your doe just yet.
- Thread starter
- #19
Heather Law
Ridin' The Range
Sounds like the best thing I could do would be to just see what happens over the next couple years and educate myself more in the meantime. Her teats and udder are small but soft and easy to milk. I’m not planning to show or anything so I’m not too concerned if I never see off the charts production. Though I do think it is important to try and improve on what I have. I’m not interested in being one of those that buys any old goat and breeds to any buck who has the ‘equipment’ and muddies up the gene pool with poor quality babies.
