Milk recovery on thin goat

tinknal · #1 06/25/12, 07:13 PM

I bought her Saturday. 4 yo sannen. Just weaned 2 fat kids. Vet checked clean bill of health with a load of worms. Wormed. 50 mile trip on Saturday, gave a nominal amount of milk. Sunday gave a cup or so. Today nearly a quart. Giving her 3 cups of Purina Noble goat. Once a day milking. Free range on good grass and a smorgasbord of weeds.

Input?

Alice In TX/MO · #2 06/25/12, 07:18 PM

Was she on Noble Goat before?

tinknal · #3 06/25/12, 07:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Alice In TX/MO

Was she on Noble Goat before?

No. I didn't ask (

) but saw it in a bucket. Looked like sweet feed.

oberhaslikid · #4 06/25/12, 07:57 PM

Plenty of fresh water with apple cider vinegar,Alfalfa pellets and Black oil sunflower seeds added slowly to her diet.

Alice In TX/MO · #5 06/25/12, 08:04 PM

She may simply be having trouble adjusting.

She could be not producing much over what the kids were taking if the previous owner wasn't milking her in addition to the kids sucking.

I don't do apple cider vinegar. Adding acid to a goat's stomach isn't something desirable, especially if she's adjusting to new feed, which can CAUSE acidosis. That's why folks have out baking soda.

Milk two or three times per day if you want to increase production. Once a day milking signals the body to reduce production.

tinknal · #6 06/25/12, 08:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Alice In TX/MO

She may simply be having trouble adjusting.

She could be not producing much over what the kids were taking if the previous owner wasn't milking her in addition to the kids sucking.

I don't do apple cider vinegar. Adding acid to a goat's stomach isn't something desirable, especially if she's adjusting to new feed, which can CAUSE acidosis. That's why folks have out baking soda.

Milk two or three times per day if you want to increase production. Once a day milking signals the body to reduce production.

Don't get me wrong. I'm happy with where she is. After weaning about a week ago she was only giving a quart, so she is already back there. My goal right now is to increase her to two quarts a day while improving body condition up til breeding time. She is very thin, but with the worming, good grain, and the best of grazing I hope that she should gain. I want to get her where she needs to be while still getting a little milk out of her. I'll worry about high production next lactation. I'll get some BOSS.