Milking- how much to expect at this point?

[whinnyninny]

I'm trying to figure out what to do with my doe. She's the one with the lopsided udder that doesn't like to be milked.

We're getting about 1 pound out of the one side of her udder every day, and she kidded 12 days ago. The kids are not nursing off that side. (No idea how much her kids are getting off the other side, BTW, but they are growing like weeds).

I know that all goats are different, but how much milk should a doe be expected to give at this point? Is that a rather puny amount she's giving? They generally peak at around 2 months, right? I don't know if there's some way to predict how much she'll give at peak, to even know if it's worth it to keep milking her, or to let her dry out on that side. (It's so much of a fight to milk her- and I cannot do it myself- that I think it'd be easier to just let her dry out on that side if I can, and just give the kids milk replacer if necessary... and when the kids are weaned, put an ad on Craigslist for "free goat").

And I still don't know what to do with her doelings- keep them or not? If this is a poor production amount, is it due to her individual circumstances, or is it possible her doelings could be poor milkers also? They both have 2 teats (instead of the extra ones that Mama has) and the 7-month-old doe's teats are pretty symmetrical. Could Mama's udder just be having these problems due to poor management during a previous lactation?

[whinnyninny]

And I must say I am sorry for all the questions... I'm feeling unprepared for all this and rather overwhelmed, and I have been thinking a lot about what I want to do, trying to explore all my options. I was a bit naïve and didn't expect to be having these kinds of problems!

[Zone]

How was this doe's dam for milk production? That might shed some light on hers.

[whinnyninny]

Foolish me, I don't know.

[Leo]

Hi,
Do you know what breed(s) she is? Or her if she had kidded before?
I'm the type of person that if you don't know her history, and you're not happy with her milking amounts, plus she's a pain, then sell her and her kids, there are plenty of nice milkers out there, esp. now with all the herd dispersals.
Megan

[whinnyninny]

I don't know what breed she is. The seller told me she was Nubian/Alpine, but I've been told by others that she looks like a Saanen (she is solid white)/Boer cross. This is her 2nd kidding.

I can't seem to talk my DH into getting rid of her, as it is so hard to find milk goats around here... they sell in a flash (decent goats do, anyway). Or perhaps I just don't know where to look to find good ones easily.

I recently told DH about ND's, and they definitely piqued his curiosity... I could try talking him into those instead.

[susanne]

i would not recommend a ND as a beginners milking doe. they have tiny teats and not a lot of milk.
no clue what your doe is or how old she is.
loopsided because of an infection or the kid only drinks from one side? how many kids does she has?

each doe is different and there are no rules. one will come in milk very slowly and peaks at three month fresh( i prefere those ) and another one will start with lots of milk right in the beginning and you have to milk a couple of times in order to save the udder from damage.
some does will give only a little bit milk, and some giving a lot.
i like those that are giving at least five pound as a FF (most of mine peak at
8lb ) and level down a little bit and as second freshener they need to be clearly over eight pound. of course i don't let kids nurse. i left one buckling on his dam this year, milking her twice a day and she still does not look very even. i know it will level out next year but i think her milk let down is not as good as her herd mates. means i need much longer to milk her out.

with the kids still on the dam, you don't know her potential.

oh, i don't believe there aren't any milking does in texas. you might need to drive a little bit but there are many