So we found a buyer for our wethered boy Peter Pan...Because he was not disbudded in time we can't keep him.
The lady whom is buying him has 2 pet pigmy bucklings that are 4months old...Though I am going to suggest she looks into getting them castrated so they don't get all stinky on her...Anyway her goats have horns.
So my question is, he is 10weeks old and grazing well, but his momma and I have never bothered to try and ween him or his sister...is there anything special I need to do about this before they come to pick him up on Saturday? We are not milking his momma either so will she be ok when I remove him and she is now only feeding one?
I intend to hit my books about this too, but would like to know what you ladies (and gents) have done in the past that has worked for you.
Thank you in advance
Kelsie
Replies
I guess will keep on eye on her and pray that Tink is good about keeping momma even....Thank you for the replies, I really do feel over my head with all this right now.
If the remaining kid is keeping her udder even, you don't have to milk her out at all. Her body will gradually reduce production to meet the kid's demand.
How long will I need to milk her out for? a week or so?
I did not want to milk this year and do not even have a stand...this goat is a little less than friendly....So less than pleased by all this, next time hubby wants animals he better be ready to move out lol
I've never seen any point in weaning kids before the day they leave the farm. It just puts another stress on them, and personally I think they'll get over losing mom quicker if they can't be calling to her and getting an answer all day long, day after day.
Whenever a kid leaves, it is always a good idea to start putting mom on the milk stand and milking her out. Any number of things can happen -- the remaining kid may only be nursing on one side, the mom may not allow the remaining kid to nurse at all, or the kid may be a little piggy and sucking down every last drop of milk! The last one would be fine (although very unusual), but the first two can cause problems. If you want to milk, this is a great time to simply start separating the remaining kid overnight and milking in the morning. That is typically what we do, although initially we always check the mom in the evening to be sure the remaining kid is nursing somewhat evenly on the two sides so that we don't leave mom with one exploding udder half overnight.