Weaning! Help!

TheNelsons · #1 04/15/06, 03:16 PM

We had our first (and only) kid this last Dec, we let her nurse for about 2 months and have been trying to wean her for 2 months with NO success!!!
We have had to seperate them due to the fact that we milk the doe... Even being seperated for 2 months has not been working! Every single time she sees mommy she goes nuts, if we are not super careful when moving everyone she is like a missle stright for the teat!

We are thinking of putting tea tree oil (just a little) on our does teats after the next milking anf then letting the baby at her... I am not sure however if that is the best of ideas!
Does anyone have an tried ideas?

Thanks...

Lizza · #2 04/15/06, 05:20 PM

No help, we decided it was more hassle than it was worth and that she would wean them when she wants. We put the babies up at night and milk her in the morning.

TheNelsons · #3 04/15/06, 06:20 PM

We did that at first... UGH! I knew I was being too soft to let her nurse her first kid! I think I will NEVER(LOL we all know what happens when we say this) allow dam raising again!

I feel stupid!

**mygoat** · #4 04/15/06, 06:52 PM

Its better if you separate them so that they can't see each other. I would say put bag balm all over her teats and let the baby at it. Not many will tolerate the taste/feel.

mary,tx · #5 04/15/06, 08:43 PM

I've had good luck, believe it or not, just putting a bandaid over each teat. First couple of days, I might put a little THUMZ on it as well. First couple of days, they'll manage to get it off, but after a few days, they usually give up. I leave the bandaids on only during the day so that she doesn't get sore from them. At night, they are in separate stalls.
mary

KimM · #6 04/16/06, 12:07 PM

At first I separated until the doe was nearly dried up. Then, just be be certain, I used Vicks Vaporub, bandaids, skin tape, and so far none of it worked, as soon as I let them back in with her, the kids were relentless and now she is making milk again. I even called Hoegger goat supply about an udder support (goat bra) and they said it wouldn't work....talked me right out of it....and so I have resorted to complete separation until the doe is completely dried up. I would allow natural weaning if this doe weren't so darn thin.
Sorry I wasn't more helpful!

TheNelsons · #7 04/17/06, 07:43 AM

I am starting to wish I could let this Doe dry up, but she is a dairy doe and I need her milk

Lizza · #8 04/18/06, 11:08 AM

Are you not getting enough milk just milking in the morning? We are getting a half gallon a day from our one goat. My daughter puts the babies up at night (she has twins) around 6:00 at night and milks around 8:00 the next morning. They have free access to each other all day.

gccrook · #9 04/18/06, 02:03 PM

None of my goats weaned that early. We just take the kids away at night, then let them back in after we milk in the morning. When we wanted to wean, we just put the kids in a separate paddock. Done deal.