Salty milk?

[longhorngal]

Why would a FF's milk taste salty? I mean it is REALLY salty-yuck! I have a 1/2 Nubian 1/2 Oberhasli that I just weaned from her buckling 2 days ago. She produces about 1/2 gallon a day. I really would like to figure out this whole salty taste deal. She's eating alfalfa pellets and dumor horse sweet feed mixed. Also, bermuda johnson grass mixed hay. I'm keeping her up right now, usually she eats browse and grass in the pasture and has the whole time she nursed her kid.
Would appreciate any help!

[Rechellef]

I would take her off the sweet feed and put her on a goat pellet (I use Noble Goat) and put out loose goat minerals and baking soda for her as well or mix some in her feed at least. Salty milk is generally a sign of mastitis, so I would send a sample away (there is a link at the top of this board) so that you can treat it properly. In a pinch, if you have a California Mastitis Test or the mastitis test cards (both sold at Hoeggers), that would give you a quick picture of whether or not she has it, but I would still send a sample away.

[francismilker]

I've noticed a salty taste in milk from time to time and think it might have something to do with the molasses in the feed.

[susanne]

salty milk is very often caused by subclinical mastitis

[longhorngal]

Usually I feed oats and alfalfa pellets on the stand. I haven't been milking her, she was just all browse and raised a huge kid. Since I started milking her just a few days ago was when I started with that feed. A local friend told me that's what she gives so thought I'd try it. Should just stick with the oats I guess.
Forgot to add she does get goat minerals.
I will see how she is today and probably send that sample off b/c her udder did seem like it might be congested a bit.
thanks!

[Alice In TX/MO]

If you started giving her a large quantity of feed after her NOT having feed, her rumen is upset. Put out baking soda free choice, give a small amount of feed while you are milking her.

She's not congested.... that happens after kidding. Her udder is full because you took the kid off. PLUS, if she has mastitis, she could have inflammation going on. Different from congestion.

[motdaugrnds]

The first thing I would suspect is mastitis.

[saanengirl]

If she is just fresh, it could be colostrum. If it is not colostrum, it is probably mastitis.

[longhorngal]

I can't find the link to send for the mastitis test. Would someone help me out please? She's not any worse but milk is still salty so I want to send it.
thanks!

[Alice In TX/MO]

Here it is:
How to test for Mastitis

[longhorngal]

thanks!