They really don't need molasses. If they were used to grain, their milk production is going to drop.
Grain Free Dairy Feed. Alfalfa, coconut oil, mollases, acv
So I'm semi new to goats, I think it's been about 4 months. I got into dairy goats through my pro-Metabolic journey and so feeding them a grain free diet is super important to me (because lectins) so I finally just took them off plain oats mixed with alfalfa and now I've got them all on 2 cups dry alfalfa Pellets, a small handful dry mollases, 1/2 tablespoon coconut oil, and 1/2 Teaspoon acv per milking. And they get grass hay, and are picketed out all week to forage. I've noticed within a week of the diet change, their milk production has significantly decreased, and their poops have become "turds" rather than pebbles. Lol.
First of all I'm wondering if maybe their milk production has just come down to "normal" or if they're just in a spot in their lactation to start dropping. They're probably about 3 months in, or if it's the feed change.
And then of course their poop change makes me wonder what exactly is causing that. Usually that kind of change means their feed is too rich, but they're only getting half a tablespoon of coconut oil and a tiny little bit of acv. Maybe it's the mollases?
I'm also thinking about adding in soaked beet pulp.
First of all I'm wondering if maybe their milk production has just come down to "normal" or if they're just in a spot in their lactation to start dropping. They're probably about 3 months in, or if it's the feed change.
And then of course their poop change makes me wonder what exactly is causing that. Usually that kind of change means their feed is too rich, but they're only getting half a tablespoon of coconut oil and a tiny little bit of acv. Maybe it's the mollases?
I'm also thinking about adding in soaked beet pulp.
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Milk drop is definitely due to the change in feed.
Poop change is also more than likely the change in feed.
They do not need the molasses. I do recommend taking it away and not feeding it. Beet pulp would be good to ad to their diet. Make sure you have a good, high quality loose mineral out for them at all times. Alfalfa hay REALLY ups their production if you want it to go back up quickly. That would be your best way of upping their production fast.
Poop change is also more than likely the change in feed.
They do not need the molasses. I do recommend taking it away and not feeding it. Beet pulp would be good to ad to their diet. Make sure you have a good, high quality loose mineral out for them at all times. Alfalfa hay REALLY ups their production if you want it to go back up quickly. That would be your best way of upping their production fast.
I agree with the others- production drop is due to feed changes. Milkers need protein, minimum of 16% over all. Instead of the molasses and coconut oil, try adding a small amount of BOSS and/or flax seed meal. Beet pulp is a decent source of calcium and fiber but very low in protein. BOSS and Flax contain fat and protein. If they were used to getting grain products, the sudden change is going to effect their production.
1 - 6 of 6 Posts
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