Grain Free Milkgoats?

[mtn.mama]

Need your ideas... my daughter is allergic to gluten (wheat, barley, rye), rice, corn and oats. I want to take my milking doe off these foods. Is this possible? My goats 100% truly free range with limitless territory and are supplemented with hay in the winter. But what will I give my doe on the milk stand if not regular grain?

[Didgery]

Black oil sunflower seeds would be a good addition. Alfalfa pellets, BOSS, flax??

[Alice In TX/MO]

Alfalfa pellets.

[mtn.mama]

What is BOSS? Oh, black oil sunflower seeds? Okay, that sounds like a good start. Her normal grain is BOSS, alfalfa pellets, barley, oat, corn, kelp, dry molasses. I like the flax idea.

[mygoat]

Why do you have to take your dairy doe off of grain when your daughter is allergic?

The fat in milk is Lactose, not gluten... ?

I'm confused.

[mtn.mama]

Actually, the fat in milk is just that... fat. The milk sugar is lactose, which we can deal with when the milk is raw- because the enzymes stay intact. The milk protein is called casein. Gluten is a protein component. The proteins of the grains pass into the milk via the bloodstream. So sensitive people can and do react to the animals feed. But my reasoning is two fold... keeping grain around at all puts my child further at risk. KWIM?

[deafgoatlady]

Well. If the goat eats any kind of gluten and it will go thru the milk and it is not lactose. U know. Gluten is from like wheats and corn and oats. It really does hard on some people's.

[Alice In TX/MO]

I think it's a great idea. Are you going to taper down on the grains and keep records as to what it does to milk production? Your experiment will help all of us learn if what we are feeding our goats is truly necessary, IF we are just needing a household milk supply.

It may prove that we don't have to feed like a big dairy operation.

Keep us informed, please.

[deafgoatlady]

I would use is boss, alfalfa pellets, flax seed. What about beet pulps????

[mtn.mama]

Originally Posted by Rose

I think it's a great idea. Are you going to taper down on the grains and keep records as to what it does to milk production? Your experiment will help all of us learn if what we are feeding our goats is truly necessary, IF we are just needing a household milk supply.

It may prove that we don't have to feed like a big dairy operation.

Keep us informed, please.

Yeah, I always keep good milk records. I'll keep some feed notes along the way and let you know how it works out...

[mygoat]

Ahhh I get it.

Should've know lactose was a sugar. Gee whiz. LOL. Forgive a biology student - skillfully practicing forgetting information, temporarily, during a lazy summer.

[DQ]

mine are on no grain! 4lbs of alfalfa pellets on the stand and browse/graze the rest of the day. I feel much better about their feed now than I did when I was feeding grain both for the goats health and mine. I have only seen a small drop in production two went from about 2.5 lbs every morning to around 2 and my lamancha from around 5lbs to around 4lbs. their condition is still excellent if not better imo. I would like to feed boss but I don't because of cost. boss is high fiber and protein and fat and should be a suitable, if not superior, replacement for grain. if I feel the need due to condition of the doe to add something, that will be it. go for it!

[mtn.mama]

Yay! Thanks for that testimony. Now I know it can be done... I just have to make it happen. I've bought the last bag of goat grain. Woohoo!!!!!

I'm going to try a mix of somethings anyway...

[Vicki McGaugh TX Nubians]

It is exactly how I am going to run this micro dairy with the mini lamanchas. Although I am going to be feeding a cereal grain hay. Protein and calicum in the form of alfalfa pellets, minerals and fat and carbs from oat hay. Sure I dod not expect them to milk as much as they would have without grain on the milkstand, but being raised this way and being such good foragers, do think it is going to be a great alternative.

I wouldn't try this on a doe in the beginning of lactation or the end of pregnancy but slowly moving her to no grain and making sure she was bred with no grain so you don't have multiple kids to have metobolic problems later, would be key.

You would also have to know that it's not about starving her but being frugal and meeting all her needs in a different form. Relying on too short of grass and you will be spending money on wormer. A natural diet would consist of long stem grass seeds and browse, not mown short lawn. Vicki

[mtn.mama]

Thanks- we have no grass here... its all browse. She'll have been milking four years straight on August 15th, and I plan to start adapting her grain ration immediately to phase it completely out. Wish us luck!

[Ernie]

Keep in mind that 90% of the goats in the world never even get a taste of grain.

Mine are mostly grainless, but when they're milking heavily it just boils the weight right off of them. I try and provide other sources of protein such as apple cores, banana peels, and then they get plenty of pasture to deal with. They're out eating grain, but it's not domesticated grains ... it's the seed tops off of hay and other plants.

[mtn.mama]

Originally Posted by Ernie

Keep in mind that 90% of the goats in the world never even get a taste of grain.

Thanks- I didn't realize this...

[Mrs. Jo]

but you also must realize that 90 % of the goats in the world don't milk worth a bean. And if you have a good milker then you must make sure to keep the calcium and phosphorus levels as they should or you will risk milk fever. If you look at Vicki's experiment she's still using a form of carbs, so most likely what she is doing will meet their needs.

Sprouting is another alternative to cereal hays. When sprouted the grains begin to change and increase cla's and omega 3's in the meat and milk. Never tried this before but I'm ruminating about it.

[Vicki McGaugh TX Nubians]

but I'm ruminating about it
......................

Vicki

[farm mom]

Vicki,

Would you do this if they had no access to browse? Just on a dry lot? Oat hay is super cheap around here so a good alternative since grass hay is running $220 a ton.