Kids nursing from one side

[christij]

Cassie (Nubian) had two little girls on Thursday. After the birth she was engorged and her teats were quite large. I milked her out some to release pressure and entice the kids. I noticed last night that seem to be only nursing on one side. So I have milked out the other side and they showed a little interest in that side tonight.
Is it okay of they both nurse from the one side? Both girls are energetic so I believe their needs are being met. Should I be offering a bottle with the milk from the other side or just use it for personal use?

TIA.

[DocM]

It will taste nasty for a few days, but then you can just use it for yourself. Just watch how things go and you can assess how you need to proceed, either they'll start using that side, or you may need to keep milking it out. You can try teat tape on the other side to try to get them to use the side they're not currently nursing from.

[mmurrey]

A goat breeder told us if this happens to use duct tape to get hem to use the other side. You put a piece of cotton in the center of the tape and tape the teat up that they are using alot, and then that will make them use the other side to prevent mastitis. You leave it on till the unused teat gets used. Then take it off after they use the other side and relieve the pressure.We have a single kid and this is what we were told if we notice him nursing on the one side. I have not done this but she has alot of goats, over a hundred,so I feel she knows best. Hope this helps!
Mellissa

[malickfarms]

What I did was a recommendation from my vet --he said to completely MILK OUT the side that they are using--I did it three times a day!

Eventually took a few days more like 3-4 of doing this and finally my twin does caught on...they started using it.

There never was enough milk in that udder to supply them so they started using the other, and after a few days of this they caught on to use the other also. They didnt want to use it cause of the imflammation.

Good Luck,
Takes time but you will get it
The tape thing sounds good also

April

[Vicki McGaugh TX Nubians]

Just milk her completely out, both sides once a day. Soon the kids will go looking for more milk and someone will latch on to the other side.

In most dairy goats, even if you are going to let kids nurse you should be milking once a day for the first couple of weeks, plus you want to save colostrum for emergencies.....they are DAIRY goats afterall, otherwise try meat goats Vicki

[dezeeuwgoats]

I mentioned this in another thread: I'm milking two of my dairy does who are also each nursing single doelings. The girls each only nurse one teat of their dams. I've milked the other side, twice a day, since they kidded. Saved the colostrum. Two half goats = one 'whole' goat, lol. We've got milk, the kids have milk - works for me. I milk the side the kids drink from also - but usually only get a couple squirts anyway.

Niki

[christij]

How many days after kidding before the milk is ready for human consumption?

Thanks for pointing out to do both sides. I did that this afternoon and then thought should I have done that? Good to know the answer is yes!

[ozark_jewels]

Originally Posted by christij

How many days after kidding before the milk is ready for human consumption?

It varies from doe to doe. Some it takes a couple days, some it can take up to 1-1/2 weeks. It won't hurt you to drink colostrum....in fact its sold some places for its health benefits. But I think it tastes pretty funky.