My milk goat and I are both new to milking. The kid is 4 weeks old or so, and I separate her at night and milk in the morning, and then she's with mom all day. My milk goat will only let me milk about a cup or so before she's either kicking me off or I can't get anymore milk. I've been milking her each day since the beginning. I feed alfalfa pellets in the morning and evening, and she grazes all day. I'm in south Texas so it's 60s and mostly 70s every day.
I've never gotten more than a cup or so of milk.. and I'm not sure if she's kicking me off to save some for baby or what. She's around 2 years old and this is at least her second freshening. She had twins last summer, right before I got her.
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Hi Miranda!
She could be holding back for baby, but if you are only getting 8 ounces after an overnight fill, I would say that it is likely you can get more even with her holding back.
You did mention that you are new to milking, so I am pasting a link below that has a YouTube Video of Deborah demonstrating the milking technique on a Nigerian Dwarf. You did not mention her breed, but I am assuming she is a ND =) ~Tammy
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BsqJgN7PjXA
Thank you!! Yes she is a Nigerian dwarf. I watched the video and her utter is no where near as big. Maybe half the size of the goat in the video. Thoughts? I punch the bag a lot (hard enough I think, I did go to a dairy farm to learn) and I will just get a squirt and then nothing.. a squirt and then nothing... until the teet won't fill up and nothing else comes out. Does that sound right?
Hi Miranda :)
There is no need to punch the udder. A gentle massage of the lower part of the udder after the first flow has slowed significantly is all that is necessary to encourage hindmilk let down.
How much does the 4 week old baby currently weigh?
What is mama's diet?
How full is she in the morning? Is her udder tight full or squishy full?
Is there any possibility that her baby or another kid has access to her?
Do you know if she has any history of self- nursing?
Tammy