Milking on a grain-free diet-production drop?

[TheMixedBag]

Since I decided to switch to browse and hay only, I've been thinking about how it will affect milk production, especially in my saanen. If you remember from last year, she couldn't keep weight for anything. Well, I'm thinking her main problem is her production levels. At 8 weeks fresh, she was producing roughly 2 gallons a day. She was only a second freshener, and I'm worried this year will only be worse. Ages not in bad condition again, shes got some padding on her, but I dont ned her dropping again. Right now she is on free choice alfalfa and a timothy oat mix hay plus shes been on thick green pasture year round (seriously, we have had green pasture year round-hasn't died yet)

My big question is if I keep her on this diet for the duration of her lactation, will it drop her production our will the alfalfa just keep it right on up there? She is due today,and it logs like she might go tonight.

 

[ksalvagno]

Usually that would drop production but only time will tell. She may be one of those that produces no matter what or then again her production may drop with no grain.

 

[TheMixedBag]

No drop so far...she's got a basketball sized udder after only 1 day fresh, and it's just barely half full. fortunately she's still got good conditioning on her. She still looks skinny, but then again she just squeezes out 20 lb worth of kids, too.she'll look better in a couple of days.

 

[poorboys]

I know my nubians would drop off if I did'nt gain 2x a day.

 

[ksalvagno]

Just take it day by day. If she gets too skinny, then you know you need to feed grain. I always look at my goats as a case by case basis because you really can't treat all the goats the same.

 

[TheMixedBag]

Oh,i am. I don't Want a repeat of last year. I'm going to try and just keep her on beet pulp and alfalfa pellets as a supplement, and cross my fingers that it will be enough to maintain. What I do know is next year shes being bred to a kiko, or shes not being bred st all. These massive kids are just too much and most likely a good reason she has so much trouble with weight during pregnancy and lactation.

 

[Happy Farming Momma]

I have a few related questions but about my bred doe Hana due in mid May.

I also have her on local grass hay and pasture browse, and was told to add beat pulp and alfalfa pellets to suplement her.
My questions are....

**Do I need to slowly introduce these to her bit by bit over a few days?
*Can my 4 week old bucklings have this too?
Also she has never had any baking soda or lose minerals,
** Do I need to slowly intorduce these to her the same way or just put them out there for her and she will be fine?
* Should I put these at a level that my 4 week old bucklings can get to them or no?

** What amount should she be fed of these every day?

Thanks everyone!