The Accidental Smallholder Forum

Livestock => Goats => Topic started by: benkt on November 04, 2015, 09:46:01 am

Title: First kidder this year seems to be drying up - advice?
Post by: benkt on November 04, 2015, 09:46:01 am

Hi Folks,


I've got a first time kidder (2yr old) BT who has been milking well, but over the last week her milk production has started to drop off. She's fine in herself, no sign whatsoever of illness and its happened at about the time I've been drying up those that will be off to the billy this year so I'm guessing its just seasonal.


She's fed a coarse goat mix whilst milking, has good hay and a lick in her stall - same as I've always done. They also get bits and bobs of foliage, mostly willow. Is there anything I can do to keep her milk up over the winter? I was thinking about trying a supplement of some kind - any recommendations?


Thanks,


Ben

Title: Re: First kidder this year seems to be drying up - advice?
Post by: Talana on November 04, 2015, 10:27:02 am

It's the time of year they all drop down with the lowest around new year if you are running her through just keep feeding her well and milking her by February they normally pick up again and build up there yield again towards spring, that's what mine do. As a first kidder they don't usually have such a big yield as subsequent lactations so may drop further than a mature milker. Also if she stops coming into season every 3 weeks may have false pregnancy - cloudburst which may make her dry off as if she was in kid. Also genetics and individuality  play a part some run through better than others.
It's just seasonal extra supplements/ feed I find don't tend to help.

Title: Re: First kidder this year seems to be drying up - advice?
Post by: Cosmore on November 04, 2015, 11:39:53 am

Also make sure you strip her out properly at each milking - rub along the milk vein until udder is emptied.

Title: Re: First kidder this year seems to be drying up - advice?
Post by: Anke on November 04, 2015, 01:58:55 pm

If she is in good condition and you are not desperate to get milk from her, I would put her back in-kid. Her milk can easily go down to just over a litre a day, and you have to decide if it is worth the effort of milking. Also how much is she giving now?

Extra feed or supplementing her diet (but with what?) will not increase her milk again this side of winter.

If she is a bit skinny and not very mature yet, I would continue to milk her, perhaps drop to once a day and keep up her feed ration to allow her time to fill out again.

My 1st kidder GGxBT is now down to just over 2.5kgs per day, whereas her (identical) sister (a year older and 2nd kidder) is still up at over 3.5kgs...

If you decide to mate her again and dry her off reducing her concentrate to nearly zero will probably do it quite quickly.

Title: Re: First kidder this year seems to be drying up - advice?
Post by: benkt on November 04, 2015, 10:41:28 pm

Thanks folks, I do need the milk and she's giving about three pints a day at the moment so it looks like I'll just persevere and hope for an early spring!