What Kind of Grain for Milkers?

[Goat Servant]

Started milking couple but want to switch them over to grain more suitable for milk than the meat goat feed with a coccistat.
Some of you wont use WetCOB cause it can can acidoses is that right? So what DO you use?
Would an all stock feed work OK? Only stuff available is wetcob, all stock, Albers & Nutrena TopGoat, both essentially wetcob with a high price.
This is only milk for family use so I dont need huge production (besides they are only half Boer) & lactation wont be terribly long but I do want them to maintain condition.
Thanks for your input!

[Lada]

I have used several different bagged feeds with mixed results. Right now we're using a local mix, but my girls pick through it and only take the stuff they like (it's a textured feed), so I ordered a bag of the Purina Noble Goat Dairy Parlor. It's supposed to be good.

You want the protein up around 16-18%, which you're not going to get from COB alone. You'll either need to give them lots of alfalfa in hay or pellet form, or add some calf manna to get the protein up. Protein makes milk.

[Rechellef]

I use an unmedicated feed since we consume the milk. I have heard great things about Purina's Dairy Parlor feed, but my area doesn't sell it and won't order it for me. Therefore, I use a mixture of Noble Goat and Goat Chow (5 to 1 ratio) with Seaweed supplement and goat mineral. There are some here for free feed alfalfa pellets, and when my sheep aren't running with my goats, I do too (as well as in the winter since there is no browse available). I intend to start adding BOSS (Black Oil Sunflower Seeds) to the mix when I get my budget under control for their coats and skin.

As Lada mentioned protien = milk production.

[Goat Servant]

Yep they get free choice alfalfa & BOSS with grain.

Any takers on the acidosis question?

[LoneStrChic23]

I've played with my mix for a while and right now am feeding 1 part Purina Dairy Parlor, 1 part Whole Oats and 1/2 part BOSS.

However, BOSS just jumped from $15.99 to $25.99!!!

On another board I'm on we were discussing it and I found out that Rice bran offers the same high fat content as BOSS, but is cheaper, so I'm going to call around and see if I can find it locally and give it a try.

Grain on milk stand only, free choice alfalfa pellets (Standlee brand), coastal hay & Right Now Onyx minerals and I'm happy with my girls production and appearance.

[Goat Servant]

Found some Purina Goat Chow. Fortuneatley a very experienced dairy breeder was there, it's what she feeds her gals.
I dont know why they even bothered with the copper, never heard of a whoppin 42ppm.

But they'll get it in their loose minerals.