More milk needed!

[rnmom23]

My FF registered nubian kidded 3/12- two bucklings. I decided to dam-raise because I myself was due to have a baby any day. The bucks are growing well and last week I started separating them at night and milking Belle in the morning. So far, I'm mostly only getting a little more than a pint each morning. One morning I got a quart, but this has not happened again. I'm pretty sure I'm emptying her out because I milk till her teats feel deflated and just won't give anymore. This is quite frustrating after all the time and expense we've poured into these goats in anticipation of fresh milk! How can I increase her production? Right now she is getting alfalfa pellets- which she doesn't care for too much, but grazes on a little throughout the day, free choice second cutting hay, and about 2-3 lbs of dairy goat grain (the "sweet" mix cause that's what my husband bought a day. What are your suggestions to help this doe earn her keep?

On a positive note, she stands well for me on the milkstand (as long as the grain holds out) which I am pleased with for a FF.

Thanks!
Liz and her thirsty family of 7!

[grandmajo]

Sounds like she is holding back her milk for the kids. I had a doe do this, she was a FF too. I just kept massaging her udder and milking. After about 2 weeks, she finally got with the program and let down all her milk for me in the morning.

[southerngurl]

Yea, she may be holding back.

Some goats don't like dry stuff as much and most will milk best with access to fresh forage.

It is also important that she have fresh clean water at all times, and a tank is best as that allows for ease of drinking, buckets don't let a doe suck down a gallon of water so easily.

[Alice In TX/MO]

I mix this herbal supplement with peanut butter and make dosage balls. Each goat in milk gets two when she's done on the milk stand.

http://www.fiascofarm.com/herbs/moll...roducts/momilk

[mpete]

Check the protein %... my does like the 16%, anything else the production goes down

[rnmom23]

Thanks guys,
I did manage to get another quart this morning. Not exactly bountiful, but better than a pint, that's for sure! I will continue to massage her bag after she appears done milking and see if that will make a difference. I'm thinking her feed is only a 10%- so I'll be sure to switch that when this bag is through. She does have access to outdoor forage throughout the day and since it's just starting to get green here, hopefully that will help. That "momilk" formula seems interesting. I know when I'm breastfeeding, I sometimes have to add fenugreek capsules to my diet to increase milk supply. Boy do they work!

How much should I be expecting from her? I was hoping for maybe two quarts each morning. Is that unrealistic? And how do I get her to stop stomping at the bucket when her grain is gone and I'm not done milking yet? A hobble? Afirm "talking to" doesn't seem to do the trick

[emanuelcs34]

I have a FF Nubian this year that is giving almost a half Gallon every morning. She has Free choice hay and browse, The only thing different is I mix alfalfa pellets with her grain, it slows her down and I can get her milked out. Although this year for some reason they are eating the pellets first and then the grain.
Some people say they put good sized rocks in the bucket so they have to eat around them, it will slow them down too.

[copperpennykids]

Why don't you start switching her to the dairy lactation pellets now? You need to transition slowly off the old feed anyway.

Alfalfa pellets on the milk stand is a good idea too. Our girls are milking so heavily, we just give them more grain if they finish before we do - OTOH, my daughters are super talented at milking and we breed for ease of milking, so we may milk for a shorter time and get twice as much milk (once you get much better at the milking - and the doe- , it is astonishing how quickly this chore can be done, LOL).

I am going to be the "mean" one and ask what you are raising the wethers for? That milk they are eating is more valuable than any meat you will get off of the kids, if they were being raised to butcher. You could butcher them now, put them in the freezer and then all of the milk will be for your family.

Future trick - make sure you purchase a goat with excellent milking lines if you want more milk. Unless you are prepared to spend a pretty penny for a high milking Nubian, a Swiss breed will fill your pail and feed her babies.

Patty (on this board) has beautiful Saanens in New York. CAE negative and boy can her girls milk. Perhaps when you are ready to add another goat to your mix, you might consider contacting Patty.