changing feed question...

chewie · #1 05/13/12, 11:33 PM

if you change feed on your goats, how long til it shows up in the milking department?

Alice In TX/MO · #2 05/14/12, 06:42 AM

LOTS of factors.... more protein? less protein? carbs? pellets vs. grain vs. browse? different brands, but the same basic feed? higher volume? less volume?

Also..... it may NOT show up.

Don't you just LOVE goats?

Short answer on very little info... I have a mini-Alpine. Just weaned her buckling a week ago. She seems a bit thin, so I increased her feed on the milk stand about 50%. In two days, she has started giving a bit more milk.

chewie · #3 05/14/12, 01:06 PM

and here I was proud that I only posted a simple one liner!

I was considering adding good quality whole oats to my noble goat pellets. how long til I knew if it was working, if they were ok on it? like maybe 1/3 oats to 2/3 pellets. oats are much cheaper, but in no way do I want to harm the goats.

Alice In TX/MO · #4 05/14/12, 01:27 PM

I'll tell you what I feed. In a big barrel, I mix two scoops Noble Goat, one scoop whole oats, one half scoop BOSS. They get a bit of that mixed with alfalfa pellets for the whole herd (not much, as they have unlimited browse now). On the milk stand, they get the above mixture, and the amount varies, depending on their production and size. (I have minis and full size goats.)

I've been feeding that way for a couple of years. Other than reducing how MUCH they get, as they were too fat and getting too much protein, they do great on that mix.

chewie · #5 05/14/12, 02:14 PM

super, I'm going to do it too. when I fed oats before, they were of very poor quality. now I go to another place and they are nice and bright.

I also wonder, I had ober's and an old nubian. now, the obers died of torn uterus. the nubian of what I thought was milk fever but not sure. I blamed this all on the feed. am I wrong in that?? they were all being fed the poor oats, some corn and boss.

Alice In TX/MO · #6 05/14/12, 02:53 PM

I don't think a torn uterus could be blamed on feed. Milk fever, maybe so, as it's low blood calcium. Do they have a calcium source? Most folks feed alfalfa pellets, but some of us are moving away from that, as it gets the protein in their diet up too high and causes other issues. Top dressing with calcium carbonate is an option.

chewie · #7 05/14/12, 06:22 PM

I have always and am still feeding full choice alf. hay.

thanks much, nice to have someone to talk this over with!

Pony · #8 05/14/12, 09:21 PM

Be sure to switch over gradually. I don't want to talk about what happened when I sold two absolutely gorgeous, healthy pregnant does to someone who precipitously switched them over to bag feed (and nothing else).

PaulNKS · #9 05/15/12, 11:18 AM

My Alpines never get alfalfa or alfalfa pellets.

Keep in mind that Purina feeds are the most highly researched, tested, and best complete feeds on the market. They are designed to deliver the correct nutrition. When you begin mixing oats, corn, or anything else, you throw the nutritional balance off. You're better cutting back on feed or going with a cheaper quality feed than diluting with oats.

With any dairy animal, protein=milk production. More milk is linked directly to the amount and QUALITY of the protein. But, there is also a threshhold to that as well.

Back to your original question. When you change feeds the effects can be immediate in the milk depending on the type of change. Taste can be immediate. Quantity of milk may or may not be effected immediately but usually within the first couple milkings you may see a difference. It depends on the type of feed change.