So I brought home my first goat this weekend. She is in milk... sort of. She has a pretty high production pedigree. Usually kids triplets or quads, but this time she she had a single doeling. The breeder I bought her from did not milk her. I was told the doeling only nursed on one teet and there only seems to be one side that is producing milk.
Is this normal? is there any way to get both sides producing or is it too late. She kidded Feb 14th.
Thanks for any advice.
Claudette
Replies
Another update... today when I was milking my husband said she looks less lopsided today... and I looked and sure enough the right side was bigger so I gave her teat a squeeze, and there was milk! Not a lot, only about 1/4 cup but it was definitely a surprise. I have been giving her bag a nice massage everyday just to get her used to it, and in hopes that she'll realize that it's not all just grabbing her teats, which she seems a little offended about. I'll keep milking both sides and see if we can get that other producing too.
lol I was just giving you some good excuses to give your hubs!! Can't wait to see pics of the two of them!!
There is another coming soon. For now she seems fairly content with horses cattle and chickens for her freinds. I know she needs another friend but it's just a matter of getting together enough money for another quality doe. There is already a deposit on her.
If you only have the one, you need at least one more!! (and not just because you want one) Goats aren't very happy being the only animal in their herd. :) Goats are herd animals. They need companionship. They are quieter, and don't try to escape so determinedly when they aren't alone. lol
update.... it's been almost a week and she is settling in. She is giving a good amount of milk on the one side . I spoke with one of her previous owners and my vet and neither think it will be a long term issue. The more time I spend with the doe the more I like her. She's really incredibly smart and though she is stubborn she is definitely coming around. Today I didn't have to tie her leg or use the sling I built to keep her from laying down while milking. She was also not eating in the stand but now munches pretty steady while on the stand. A lot of progress I think. I've got some copasure on order for her, as my vet suggested it would help her fertility when she is bred back. In the meantime I have gotten quite attached to her and she watches for me as I do my chores. In a few more days I will probably let her out of her pen to graze in the yard when I can be there to supervise. She is a very engaging creature and while I wasn't happy with everything when i got her, but I think it was a good purchase. My husband says no more goats... but I definitely see a few more in the near future!
I love Ivory soap, it's really mild and doesn't strip all the natural oils. My horse reproduction vet always uses it to wash vulvas for AI breedings, as it's non-irritating. I just figured the tea tree oil would be good since it is anti-fungal and anti-bacterial, I use it for a lot of itchy issues with my horses and to clean my mare's bags to prevent foal scours. I will try some two grain scratch and see if she likes that any better. I felt so bad for her tonight as she was walking on her knees as my daughter was behind her pushing her to keep her moving towards the stanchion... When she finally got there she laid down... She hand fed her and told her what a good girl she was. Eventually she stood up and we put her in a left her for a little while. She didn't eat, but also didn't fight like she did yesterday. I usually give her break when we are milking as soon as she stops kicking at me... I let her rest and hand feed her... she'll eat if I feed it to her and am not milking. It takes longer, but I am trying to make it positive for her. Hopefully it will pay off soon and she'll settle into the routine.
Claudette, I really hope you are right! I've never seen mastitis personally but the knot you describe sounds worrisome! Maybe someone else on here has some experience? I got my teat dip 'recipe' from another breeder, but the tea tree oil definitely sounds more gentle, will give it a try tomorrow morning. I do use bag balm if needed. My Chloe literally RUNS to the milking station for her ration when I call her now but when I first got her I "bribed" her with hen scratch to get her up there! lol (just make sure males NEVER get hen scratch, it causes urinari calculi, which is often fatal!)
Claudette E Griffith said:
Hi Deborah,
If I could find another high production doe in milk I would probably agree, but so far I haven't found any in my area that are available of the same quality for sale that are in milk. I have a deposit on one of her grandaughters who has her same lovely body and hopefully an even better udder attachment. There is so much I do like about this doe, she's got a pretty head, long body, nice sized teats, the one side that is producing she is putting 2 cups of milk, so when she's fully in she'll be a great producer. I'm putting a lot of effort into getting her used to the stand and accepting being milked. I hope she will eventually be happy about it, time will tell.
It sounds like this really isn't the goat you wanted. If the breeder is willing to take her back, maybe you should take her up on that offer so that you can get exactly what you want instead of waiting a whole year to figure out whether or not she's the goat for you.
Crossing my finger that that you are correct Rachel, I won't find out until next year since she won't be rebred until this fall.
Rachel Whetzel said:
-
1
-
2
-
3
of 3 Next