Milking Goat Question

[Muddy Boots]

I bought a milking Nubian 2 weeks ago. The lady had been very nice and helpful on all questions I had. I paid an extra $50 for a 2 yo that was milking 1 gallon a day. I also had the choice of a 1 yo milking a half a gallon a day. But I chose the 2 yo because my boys drink a gallon a day.

When I picked up my goat, the lady said the production may go down, but should be up within 2 weeks. The goat had never been outside a barn before so she was scared of things like chickens and our dog, but she has quickly gotten used to these things. She is super sweet, and milks easily. The problem is she gives me, and has given me, between 1 lb - 1 lb 8 oz. per milking, or less than a quart per milking. Equaling less than a half gallon per day.

I have been feeding her lactator, goat feed, goat balancer (mainly alfalfa), plus alfalfa hay and the lady was giving her some corn which she grew on her farm, which I have given her a little but not much mixed with the rest of her food.

My question is, should she have went down THAT much in production? The goat has been consistent in giving the same amount, and I would have thought she would have dropped a little then picked back up. I am going to call the lady I bought her from on Monday, but I want to sound half-way intelligent when I call, since this IS my first milking goat.

Thanks for your help!

[WeaverRose]

Does she have access to free choice salt and goat minerals? Sometimes if they don't get enough salt/minerals, they don't drink very much, especially if they're not used to the taste of water at a new place. Then that affects milk production. Are you milking once a day or twice?
Where are you located? (wondering if the other doe is still for sale, I'm in the market

[steff bugielski]

You say this is your first goat. Have you ever milked a goat before? Do you know when to stop and when to ask for more milk? Maybe you think she is finished but she might have a lot more in there that you are simply not getting out.

[Alice In TX/MO]

Because she was moved, the production will go down pretty dramatically. Goats require consistency, and moving is stressful.

Is she all by herself? No other goats? They are herd animals and get highly distressed by being alone.

Did you change her feed abruptly from what they were getting at their previous home? Changing feed causes disruption in the rumen, and production will drop as their system adjusts. The best way to change feeds is very slowly and gradually over a period of a couple of weeks.

Sounds like she is just stressed in several ways.

[wintrrwolf]

Yeah I second that. Sounds like she is stressed, if she is an only goat, she needs a goat pal but that still isn't a quick fix because then they will have to get used to each other.
She has to get used to her new home, new food, new person milking...

[ozark_jewels]

Saying her production should be back up in two weeks is very optimistic. Most goats and cows will drop in production when moved, and many times will never go back up to full production until they freshen again.
Does she have another goat companion or is she alone??

[Muddy Boots]

Originally Posted by WeaverRose

Does she have access to free choice salt and goat minerals? Sometimes if they don't get enough salt/minerals, they don't drink very much, especially if they're not used to the taste of water at a new place. Then that affects milk production. Are you milking once a day or twice?
Where are you located? (wondering if the other doe is still for sale, I'm in the market

I'm in Northeast Indiana. I have given her minerals,

[Muddy Boots]

Steff- There is DEFINITELY no more milk in her when I am done. She is shriveled, and there is no more milk to come out!

I do have goats in pens beside her. But not in WITH her. I was afraid they would have to get the chain of command set, and I would lose milk production. Should I try putting another, non-milking, female in with her?