Pulling kids off mama at night?

[mousebandit]

We're finally getting things organized enough that I'm about ready to start morning milkings. We're going to separate the kids from the mamas at night, and then milk in the AM, and let them run around together during the day.

I have two questions on some particulars.

First, how young can the kids be when we do this? I think I read that Fias Co Farms starts when they're about 2 weeks, but I've also read that Kiko kids grow so fast they need a LOT of milk. (And yes, I know I'm probably nuts to bother trying to milk the Kiko's, LOL!) So, do you all think 2 weeks is too young? The older twins are 6 weeks now, so I'm not worried about them.

Second, I'm wondering about the housing logistics for the first night. We've been keeping the Kikos in their own small barn really close to the house while waiting for the 2nd mama to kid. Now I want to move them all out to the big barn with the other goats (2 nubians and a pygora buckling). I'll be keeping the kids in the small barn at night, while the mamas sleep in the big barn.

Question is, should I move them all over the big barn together for a few days first, to get the mamas used to the change without the stress of also taking the babies away, or just get straight to it, and take the mamas over there alone the first night, leaving the kids in the little barn? I would like things to be as calm as possible the first night!

Thanks!

Tracey Mouse

[cayenne47]

Tracey,
I think you should come on over and try to milk mama pygora!! LOL

[CountryHaven]

I have a friend who does the night time separation and she starts at 2 to 3 weeks but they're dairy. I plan on doing it with my few dairy girls as well, but having seen her and how the kids and dams are I'd not try seperate barns at all. What she does is has a small pen set up in the corner of the 12 x 16 stall she has her three does in with their kids. The pen is cut cattle panels so the mom can still see the babies, and vice-versa. Different barns would cause a HUGE amount of stress right at first, but it would always cause a lot of stress. At least if the mom's can still see the babies, they don't worry themselves sick over them.

[goatmarm]

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[topside1]

Separating at dusk is a dream come true. The kids as getting plenty of milk, I'm getting loads of milk, and the dams are enjoying the nighttime break. At first the dams would lay by the gate of the pen, but after a short period of time everyone relax and the evening seperation became no big deal....