Feeding oatmeal to goats to increase milk production?

MrsDieselEngineer

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I think it would be cheaper to add oats to their diet if it does work. I don't know if it does or not though.
 

elevan

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Cheaper depends on where you live. Around here oats are much higher than corn right now.
 

Livinwright Farm

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I can't say I've heard that one before... I know that clover, alfalfa, goats rue, thistle, stinging nettle, and fenugreek all aid in milk production :)
 

Chaty

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Dont think it would help with milk but it is high in fiber. Alfalfa and many others like Living said are better sources of calcium.
 

SDGsoap&dairy

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I feed my milkers whole oats in addition to alfalfa and beet pulp. I've been pleased with the results, but I don't push production. I only feed enough grain to keep my girls in good flesh. I would always recommend increasing alfalfa first, then up the grain where necessary.

And yes, oats are more expensive than corn here.
 

Livinwright Farm

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Oats, corn, and black oil sunflower seed all rose in price this past year... the sunflower seeds were the worst rise though... $29/40lb bag in NH :th
 

kstaven

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Livinwright Farm said:
I can't say I've heard that one before... I know that clover, alfalfa, goats rue, thistle, stinging nettle, and fenugreek all aid in milk production :)
Only one problem with anything but small volumes of thistle. It messes up cheese production and acts like rennet in the milk. So you add normal volumes of rennet and the batch is destroyed.
 

kstaven

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Good quality hay and alfalfa will give you the same results and likely cheaper.
 

SDGsoap&dairy

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kstaven said:
Good quality hay and alfalfa will give you the same results and likely cheaper.
:thumbsup

Couldn't agree more. A lot of folks skimp on hay and alfalfa and try to fill the gap with extra grains and supplements.
 
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