??Best feed for nursing goats

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Hello again!

Could you kind folks provide me with info as to what I should be feeding a nursing nanny to optimize milk production? Everyone is doing well but I feel that I am missing something that could improve on the milk production.

Thanks, Kari

-- Kari (wildcatt@telusplanet.net), August 09, 2001

Answers

Hi Kari... Lactating does need carbs and calories for the required energy and protein to produce milk and stay fit themselves, so a good commercially-made goat chow that has about 18% protein fed twice a day during milking, or a custom-mixed recipe of concentrates would work well. I mix up my own feed using rolled oats, cracked corn, Barley, black sunflower seeds, and calf-manna pellets, or a goat supplement pellet. They should also have as much of a good quality hay (alfalfa or alfalfa/grass mix), loose minerals and baking soda free choice, and lots of fresh water. I always deworm my does on the day they kid as well, since they're more susceptible to worms during that time. I hope that's helpful to you. :)patty Prairie Oak Miniatures http://www.minifarm.com/prairie_oak

-- Patty (littlegoats@wi.rr.com), August 09, 2001.

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