First milk test of the year - done!

[hoofinitnorth]

Well, almost. The hard part is done but now we wait for the lab analysis of butterfat, protein, and SCC. In the meantime though, I am simply elated to report the following poundages for my four fresh does:

4.5# - Sandy Hollow SS Butterscotch 3*D 2*M, sixth freshening at almost 6 years of age, freshened with live quads (2 bucks, 2 does), tied with her all-time high, which she posted last year in her fifth lactation

3.7# - SilverAurora JC WhisperSweetly 2*D 2*M, third freshening at just over 3 years of age, freshened with live quads (2 bucks, 2 does), just 0.1# less than her all-time high, which she posted last year in her second lactation

2.0# - SilverAurora JT Villa Nova, second freshening at just over 3 years of age, freshened with twins (1 buck, 1 doe)

over 4# - SilverAurora TH Xtreme Grace, first freshening at just under 2 years of age, freshened with twins (2 does)

We had a hard time getting these girls to give up their milk for test, rather than save it for their kids. They are all just under 3 weeks fresh and normally they are dam-raising their kids with once-daily milkings during the week and twice-daily milkings on the weekend, just to keep an eye on the health of their udders between tests. The stress of separation from their young kids and having to hold 12 hours of milk sure puts them to the test. They are very happy to be with their kids again this evening and we are quite enthused with the 14.3 pounds of milk in our refrigerator from today's two milkings from only 4 Nigerian Dwarf does!

Butter, Whisper, and Gracie all have awesome capacity but boy do they look uncomfortable with 10+ hours of milk in their udders! Whisper was actually walking bow-legged as her very lateral udder pushed her rear legs apart! Poor Nova had a rough start this year due to difficult presentations at kidding, but it looks like she's bouncing back nicely.

It's after midnight here so I need to scoot to bed and won't have time to read other messages. Will try to check in again later! Hope everyone else's DHI season is off to a roaring start too!

[hoofinitnorth]

If you think Gracie's 4#+ on test is impressive for a first-freshener, hear this: I put her up on the milk stand this morning and looked at her udder and went, WHOA, why are you SO FULL after feeding your kids all night? Well, that wasn't the half of it, as it turned out! When all was said and done today, she went on to give 3.4# WHILE feeding her kids all day! WOW!

[Shazza]

Wow what great little milkers you have. Any pics....pleeese??

[hoofinitnorth]

I have pictures on my website, but not great ones. I did get some from the Fair last year, but not many good udder shots. I took new photos this weekend for test but some did not turn out. I will try to upload the better ones later tonight.

http://fairskiesalaska.com

[hoofinitnorth]

OK, here are some photos. Please excuse the ratty shave jobs. I took photos for the AM test and then I did a quick shave of the udders later that afternoon as it was warming up (finally). Then it snowed. And snowed again. And snowed one more time. *sigh*

Butter (sixth freshener with quads)





Whisper (third freshener with quads)

Morning unshaved:




Evening shaved (but much smaller udder!):

[hoofinitnorth]

Nova (second freshener with twins)




Gracie (first freshener with twins)