Butterscotch is currently giving me 3 cups - 1 quart every morning, and I am only milking her once a day, separating the twins at night. They are going to be 6 weeks old - ALREADY - this Thursday. I was wondering approximately when I should start milking her twice a day to keep production up? Everyone is eating when mom's feed now, and I am uncertain about this transition. I am also wondering everyone's opinion about separating Cocoa's triplets at night, they will be 5 weeks old on Wednesday. I don't want to start to soon, and have read everything from a month to 2 months - what do you think? I also took everyone's advice about the little teats, and with an adjustment I have had success getting milk out of her practicing on the stand! Thanks.
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Butterscotch is doing far beyond my expectations as a first freshener, and it is going so well - I don't want it to quit!! Thanks for your input, I will just keep on with what I'm doing currently, since it's working and seems to be what I'm supposed to do!
Julia @Woody Glen Farm said:
Ok thanks for confirming what my gut was saying!! They both are first fresheners, and I am worried about taking anything from the triplets since they are fighting for it themselves - I'll just continue to practice with her after milking Butterscotch until the time comes - thanks again.
Deborah Niemann-Boehle said:
You don't have to milk her twice a day to keep her production up. Separating the kids overnight and milking her in the morning every day works well. We don't usually bother milking them in the evening after separating the kids because unless the timing is just right, we don't get anything.
If Cocoa is a first freshener, I wouldn't start separating her from the kid until they are closer to two months. FFs don't produce that much milk.
If it were me, I would only milk her once per day until the kids are sold, if that's the plan. If you will keep a kid on her, then you could probably start twice a day at 3 months but without separating the kid during the day which may be problematic, you may not get much and it might be a waste of time. Heck, if I got a quart every morning I think I'd be ecstatic! My newest to freshen may be that good -- we'll see.
As far as your triplets, Deborah has said with triplets you can start at one month separating at night but only every other night to start. Hope this helps.