Suggestions to maintain milk supply with an injured teat

[horsecrazy100]

Our nigerian dwarf doe just weaned her babies. They were getting rough and she has a cut on the top of one teat. Thankfully my milker doesn't seem to hurt as long as I position carefully but I cannot keep suction as easily and hand milking is painful for her on that side right now. So I cannot fully empty that side at the moment.

Any suggestions to maintain her milk supply? Or to heal it ? I have a homemade "bag balm" salve that I have been applying, coconut oil, beeswax, tea tree, lavender and calendula. Anything else I can do to help?

She gets grain while milking and some soaked alfalfa cubes mixed in, and free choice grass hay. She also gets a vitamin/mineral supplement. I plan to grab some kelp for her. Suggestions? Would extra barley be beneficial? Or just lower the protein content of her feed and therefore have the opposite effect?

[Clovers_Clan]

If she were mine, I'd milk her twice a day. Gently on the injured side, just enough to relieve pressure and milk out fully on the other side. This would keep her production up while allowing the injury to heal. Once she's healed up there will be plenty of time to increase that side. Fully milking one side will stimulate the hormones to continue production so she won't go completely dry.

Going easy on the grain will help slow production until she's healed. Just keep an eye on the wound so it doesn't become infected and you should be back in business soon.