01/13/15, 09:07 AM
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Caprice Acres
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Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: MI
Posts: 11,232
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How is their body condition? When are the pregnant does due? What kind of hay/quality?
If your does are a good weight, are MORE than 4-6 weeks out from kidding, and you're feeding a soft green high quality hay, I would not be feeding grain - they do not need it. Too fat at kidding greatly increases risk of metabolic problems. If they are thin, then evaluate for signs of parasitism. Unfortunately winter fecal samples may or may not reveal a parasite infestation because most worms do not heavily shed eggs during the winter months. Use fecal consistency, body condition, appearance, and FAMANCHA in addition to fecals.
You will generally need to increase the energy intake of does in the last 4-6 weeks of pregnancy. To do this, you should optimize the hay quality as well as add in a grain ration. Wean them onto grain slowly - I usually start with a little empty sour cream container scoop, working my way up to a large grain scoop of grain per day. At this time, I bring the pregnant ones onto the milkstand to eat their ration, to get them used to the idea of coming in, getting on the stand. Practice with them if they've never been milked or are FF'ers - sit next to them and pretend to milk. By the time they freshen, they will be used to this. Also, allowing each one their ration will make sure everybody gets her share and you can feed more or less of a gestation diet depending on the doe's needs. A doe that looks to be carrying 1 or 2 kids may need less feed than a doe carrying 3-4.
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Dona Barski
"Breed the best, eat the rest"
Caprice Acres
French and American Alpines. CAE, Johnes neg herd. Abscess free. LA, DHIR.
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