All, if anyone else has dealt with this issue, I'd love to hear your experiences and outcomes.
Our doe is a second freshener, and this time around, her brother has been nursing off her. We've thought something was up ever since we started milking (in September), since her milk supply was amazing at first and then dropped to about 2/3 what it was, production was lopsided but not consistently so, and every once in a while I saw him sniffing around and she was kind of laid back about walking off.
We've put up with the milk theft until now, but tonight we saw she has been bitten. Her teat was bloody with freshly forming scabs. I've got to protect her from the bugger.
Has anyone ever used one of those goat bras or any other measure, if they've had this experience? (Getting rid of him isn't an option right now, as he's her only companion, and we can't buy another animal right now. Anyway, he's helpful for letting us know when she's in standing heat!)
Thanks in advance.
Replies
I was just going to suggest separating and using the kids as buddies. :)
Naomi D'Andrea said:
We definitely want one more doe eventually--both for more milk, and as companionship insurance in case something happens to one of them. I just don't know how I'd ever get rid of him--even though he's a bugger, he's still our friend.
The only time we've ever had anything similar to is with a wether that stole my heart last year, so I kept him. When a doe is in heat, he can't decide if he wants to be a buck or a baby because he goes back and forth between trying to nurse the doe and trying to mount her. And a couple of does have let him nurse -- but this only happens when they're in heat.
When I've had older kids -- like 6 months -- start getting rough when nursing and hurt their mom, I remove them.
Rachel, how perfect! I'm definitely going to try this. Too bad it pokes the mommy instead of the nurser, but if all she needs is some motivation to walk away, great! He's very sneaky though--he sidles up to me silently sometimes just to yank on my clothing, etc. I'll let you know how it works.
Thank you so much for your feedback!!
To answer your question, no--we don't keep babies. We've got space for one more, so we're holding out for a doeling out of our girl, but so far, no luck (only bucks). Out of curiosity, if we did still have kids, were you going to suggest something else?
Thanks again--Naomi
Rachel Payne said:
I would personally separate them, but since they're your only two goats that complicates things. Do you still have her kids?
I've never used a goat "bra," but it might be worth a shot. I would worry about it getting hung or tangled on something, but sometimes you have to weight the risks vs the benefits.
You could also try a weaning ring. I've not used one personally, but I've spoken to cattle people who swear by them. They make them for sheep and goats as well. They're don't pierce the nose. I have not purchased from this website, but found it with a quick search to show you what I'm talking about: https://easywean.com.au/how-easywean-works/weaning-lambs-kids/