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  #21  
Old 12/06/07, 03:16 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by goatsareus
This is a management issue. I train my single kids to nurse both sides right from the first suckle. With this training, I have never had a problem, they are more than happy to nurse both sides of the udder
It depends on priorities. I prize the shape and texture of my milkers' udders and would not want to chance me over-looking a situation where a single could mishappen an udder. Udders are what I sell here.
I have had singles in the past (on Boers) that have ruined udders. So I just personanly don't like singles. Also, it is a financial loss to have singles. If a goat kids here, even a FF, with a single, I am disappointed that the whole 5 months gestation was wasted on one kid. I am always thankful for the blessings of a live birth, don't get me wrong, but i still feel shortchanged and try to improve management each year to insure multiples. Alot of time and money goes into the goats and i need to get something back (besides the milk )

Last year I had 7 does kid:

3 sets triplets
3 sets twins
1 single

The doe with the single was a FF but I was still expecting better than just one kid. Two FF had triplets and one FF had twins.

This year I have 12 to kid.
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  #22  
Old 12/06/07, 03:22 PM
 
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Location: Northern New Mexico
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okay, so it is genetics in the Lamancha breed?

I guess I have too much Swiss breed in my herd. Or, is LaMancha considered a swiss breed too?

12 goats to kid??

I'm in this solely for the homestead milk supply. I couldn't sell a goat if I had to.
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  #23  
Old 12/06/07, 03:35 PM
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LaManchas are "made in America". They were develped on the west coast and have a smidge of different breeds in them but are definately NOT Swiss. They are heat hardy and do well in the South.


Yes, I have 12 does bred and due between Feb. and April. I anticipate 24-30 kids and plan on only keeping a very select few doelings. I have some milkers and kids pre-sold. The extra bucklings go into our freezer or I sell them wethered for meat.

I can always sell more goats than I have as I am in a good part of the country for that i guess. I have people wanting heavy homestead milkers coming out of the woodwork. it may be regional like I said.

Here are pre-kidding udders on two of my girls, BTW, they all look like this:

What are the chances of them having more then one kid ? - Goats

What are the chances of them having more then one kid ? - Goats
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  #24  
Old 12/06/07, 04:31 PM
 
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nice looking animals and udders
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  #25  
Old 12/06/07, 04:50 PM
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Well, they look a bit freaky and full in those pics...they were taken this spring prior to kidding. My point is that a single kid could not do these udders justice. These two does milk well over a gallon each at 2 years old and will be milking well upwards of that this spring. A single could not make a dent and the udder would suffer. Each goat farmer/breeder has their own goals for the farm and mine is raising tame heavy milkers with good "handles". So I pull kids and hand milk.
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