How much does grain consumption effect production?

[Concrete Cowboy]

We have a new doe that just kidded a week or two ago. We’ve had her a few days and she will not eat the grain that we are giving her. I’m going to contact the seller to see what he fed. But I’m curious, how much could that cut down on her milk production? It is barely a quart a day with no kids on her. If I get her to take a different feed how much do you think that could increase?

[Lada]

The general rule is one pound of grain for every three pounds of milk produced. I start my milkers out on one pound each milking, but usually have to increase that. Some goats will not produce that well, and some will. As for how much your doe will produce, that depends on a lot of factors. Her genetics, how many kids she threw this year, which freshening it is for her, etc.

[copperpennykids]

What Lada said....

You also have to give her some adjustment time.

If she was eating and milking well at her original home, then you also need to watch out for her going acidotic on you.

Try giving her some baking soda directly into her mouth - a great big pinch. It is one of those "can't hurt, might help" kinds of things, so won't mess her up if you give it to her. also make sure you have baking soda available free choice for her.

Give her a variety of browse as well to see if you can entice her to eat more.