I have a two year, 1st generation Miniature Nubian 2 year old first freshener (first time kidding and milking) from heavy milk lines that started out giving over a gallon of milk a day. She had twin boys and once I had them weaned at 2 months and regularly weighed her milk she was giving an average of over #8 per day. This is quite a bit for a Miniature, let alone a first freshener.
As a matter of fact, I think because of the early spring and mild winter, all of my girls were giving generous amounts of milk this year. One 2 year old 2nd freshener (I sold her- ugh!) was giving about #9 daily. They were putting all their calories into milk and were all on the thin side this year so I beefed up their grain rations and included BOSS (black oil sunflower seeds) which is high in protein, among a few other things. Over time I believe this was a mistake because their high protein diets caused lots of loose stool and the one heavy milking young girl had a case of chronic mastitis. THis was likely due to our wet and muddy conditions during kidding in February. We are usually still frozen with snow on the ground but this year our weather was wet and relatively warm, and the barn was flooded for weeks. Not ideal for kidding season! We constantly fought the wet conditions. The girls laid down in the muck and I think that's why Phoebe got mastitis. She got nasties in the orifice of a teat and then it was on. I treated her with LA 2000 twice before I stumbled onto an old article in my notebook on the usage of dolomite lime in organic cow dairies. It said in essence that farmers used it to prevent as well as cure mastitis. I figured at that point we had nothing to lose so I found and ordered a 20# bag on Amazon and within 3 days of sprinkling it on her grain (which I pared way down and excluded the high protein extras) her milk was no longer pink and now two weeks later she has no mastitis. I give it out free choice along with baking soda now to all the girls as well as sprinkle it on their grain on the stanchion. I'm a firm believer in dolomite now, and in fact it's often the case that the old farmers know best. :)
Dolomite is a mineral rock composed of 2/3 calcium and 1/3 magnesium carbonates. It is a strong alkaline that can help overcome acidity. For diarrhea (scours) in an adult goat, 1 tsp. of Dolomite, 1/4 tsp. of copper sulfate, and 1 tsp. of Vitamin C powder is recommended. This recipe is also suggested for treating many problems including the prevention, control, and cure of mastitis. Dolomite can be safely added to the daily ration.
as was this one.
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