Our doe's two kids went to a new home this past Sunday. We had been milking her for a month, mornings only, by separating the kids at night and then milking 12 hours later. She kidded at the beginning of July, but we waited four weeks to start separating the kids and milking. We were getting on average, 1.75 cups of milk each morning. We started milking twice a day this Monday, and have noticed a steady decrease in the amount of both the morning and evening milkings since then. It's Friday, and we're now getting half a pound less a day than we were the beginning of the week. I don't feel I'm doing anything differently in the way I milk.
Could she be depressed? She hasn't been calling for her kids anymore, but I wonder if she's still adjusting. Also, we are fairly regular in milking times, but the time can vary as much as an hour (between 7 and 8 am or pm) as I am 9 months pregnant and training my kids to do the milking. :) Maybe that's been an issue. Any ideas?
Replies