Meet Lavender!! Since the passing of the doeling I had planned to retain for my herd, I took a step back, and reconsidered my options. I have a limited amount of does that I will ever be able to retain, and I need to keep the best lines I possibly can. Because of this, I realized that I really should more seriously consider "the goat of my dreams". I live less than 1.5 hours away from Gianaclis Caldwell, owner of Pholia Farms. She owns a comercial grade dairy, and raises Nigerian's for her dairy business. I decided to send her a message in inquire about any doelings she might have, and in the process, realized I might rather try to purchase an adult doe. I even decided to take my own advice, and ask about any does she might have for sale in milk. :) I ended up with Lavender, a FF in milk, who shows a lot of promise! So far, she is less than impressed with her new herdmates, but she was quiet as a mouse all the way home!! :)
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Oh, Margaret, you will learn. Remember how challenging it was for me last year? I will say now that part of it was Capri's anatomy as Summer is so much easier to milk (and an excellent producer!). I should not admit to it but right now I chiefly using my milker now as my hand is not completely healed as in functional for the necessary squeezing. However, with kids being a month old, I could not await complete functionality. I've been milking Capri for a couple of weeks and started Summer last Sunday; only in the mornings for the most part except I milk a bit out of Capri other times of day as she has only one kid left and I really *do* want her to produce. I need to do my part to help her do her job here.
Margaret Langley said:
She's doing really well!! Talks the WHOLE time... the first day, I nearly got through milking, and she stepped in the pail. lol This morning, I got through all three does in 30 min... My life kept me from milking the two other does like I wanted to, so I don't think I'll be getting as much production as I would like. That said: I took in a full quart of milk this morning between the three, and tonight, when I milked Lavender, I took in one and a fourth cup! She is a FF with only a single birth, so I feel like that's a pretty decent amount! To top it off, my own FF seems to be producing similarly, also with only one nursing (since she rejected her buckling) I'm pretty happy, especially since I didn't milk the two as much as I should have to help with their production. :)
How'd the milking go? :)
Yes, Margaret. She is. :)
Is she in with the rest of the herd? I am curious. Will transporting, new environment, new herdmates etc. cause a temporary slack in production? I would think that it probably would, especially with a FF who is new at this anyway.
Congrats!!
lol! I know, me either but I still can't wait! I set here last night justa lookin' at the human breast pumps online, thinking I have to find a backup! Not to mention something for if I can't be here and someone needs to fill in for me!
I milk tonight! Tomorrow, I start milking all three does. The kids are NOT going to be happy tonight. lol My new life: Milking three does in the morning, one in the evenings. Until June. Then I'll be milking three morning and night. I don't think my hands are ready for this. lol
She's a real cutey! Hope it all turns out how you want dear! I know that you have wanted this for a long time! Keep us informed about her production. I need a gauge to go by! When did she kid? I hope I will be able to learn to milk those little teats before weaning time! Hopefully we will get 1 doeling keeper so I will have 1 to keep on her!
Thank you, Deb!! I am too!! Purchasing her with this timing means that I *should* be able to retain two of her doelings. This purchase opens up a whole new line of thought for me as to the longevity of my herd and breeding with the stock I currently have. :)
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