marwnot producing enough milk

[Bright_Spark]

Little Sirius (current choice of name lol) seems to be having trouble getting enough milk from Amber. Her udders are still quite big but only a dribble of milk is coming out.

I was wondering if there was a milk replacer or feed supplment I could get for foalie, just so he is getting something extra?

Also wondering if Amber needs more/different ratios of feed or something as well as/instead of. She is currently on 3kg stud nuts, 1kg alfa-a, 2kg show mix and 1kg fibrebeet split into 4-5 feeds a day. She also has ad lib haylage and readigrass.

Could there be any medical reasons that could be caising this?Both seem fine and Amber doesnt seem to be in any pain when little one is feeding.

 

[Bright_Spark]

sorry for spelling errors in title! Having one of those days

 

[Thistle]

Have you checked that he is 'latching on' and sucking OK. Animals produce more milk in response to sucking, so the more he sucks the more she will produce. Is she getting any fresh grass/grazing, this really helps too.

 

[AmyMay]

Have you seen him suckling? Have a look at her teets after he's had a drink - there should be evidence of milk after that. Remember, they don't run like a bottle - although some mares may do LOL.

Does his tummy look nice and full? Is she objecting to him suckling??

Also you would expect the teets to look full - they don't empty out after drinking.

 

[cazza]

couple of spoons of cocoa powder in mums feed will make her produce more milk.

 

[Maggie2]

yes cocoa is the stuff since she seems to be getting all she needs to make milk.

 

[Bright_Spark]

Thanks everyone. Sorry for late reply- been up the yard most of the day.

He is latching on and there is evidence that he is getting milk sometimes, but not others. I have tried expressing some milk from Amber and it really is just a dribble coming out. They will be going out tomorrow and hopefully everyday from now so the fresh grass should help (although I dont think there is much goodness in it atm).

She does move away from him at times and is starting to get a bit sore. i was thinking of geting some milk replacer just so I know Sirius is getting enough and gives Amber a little bit of a break from him suckling.

Thanks for the tip about the cocoa powder- never heard of that before but will give it a go.