To milk or not to milk

[angelynbelle]

I just aquired a Nubian doe that had a bottlefed doeling, 2 months old. When I picked her up, the doeling seemed really young to me and acted like it wanted the bottle still, so I continued to bottle feed her 2x a day. I milked the doe the first day and got 2 cups from 1 side, the other side is dry. She is now giving only 1 cup from the one side. Should I let her dry up and start again next year? She is registered and my daughters may want to show her next year, how will her udder be now that it is lopsidded? Any ideas?

[Chaty]

Sounds like they were in the process of drying her off for some reason. If you milk her at least 2 to 3 times a day she might come back into milk again or at least the production will come back up some. Has she been tested for CAE? That is the reason for bottlefeeding as the milk gets pasturized. If you want to dry her off milk less each day till she is dry, and only take enough out each day till she drys up. I wouldnt let 1 dry up that is only 2 mths fresh unless she has problems. Nubians are not really heavy produces, well mine isnt but depending on her lines she might be.
I personally wouldnt let the baby be weaned yet as its still to young. I bottle feed mine at least for 4 mths and then wean with the larger type of goats. If she drys up feed the baby whole cows milk. If you want the baby to grow well continue bottle feeding at least 20 oz a feeding. At 2 mths she should still be getting at least 2 to 3 bottles a day and grain and hay also. JMO

[angelynbelle]

Thank you for the information! The breeder I got the goats from told me she always bottle fed the babies, not my way of doing things for sure. When we picked them up the baby seemed so much younger than 2 months so we continued to bottle feed. We were doing 16 oz bottles 3 times a day but she seemed to get a little runny. We were giving her goats milk from our Alpine milkers. Now she is getting 2 10oz bottles and plenty of alfalfa and some calf mana and grain. I still suspect she is younger as she doesn't eat as well as the others yet. I'll keep trying. Should I switch back to 16 oz 3 times a day?She is still very small.
I will be getting them all tested next week although she told me they had all their clearances but I never say them and can't get a hold of her now! Thank you for you information. This way of learning is so great, from those with experience.

[Chaty]

Has she been treated for Cocci? Have you wormed her yet? At that young of age mine were taking 3 20 oz bottles a day and wanted more and were eating some grain also. Changing location can sometimes get them upset and can bring on Cocci and thats not good. I would worm her with horse paste for tapeworms and give some probios after. I bet she just isnt used to that much milk nad will adjust as with her age she needs that milk. Mine are all 4 mths and would still take more milk if I would let them as they are piggies when it comes to milk. Good luck and keep at her ...

[angelynbelle]

I went ahead and treated her for cocci just in case and she seems to be doing better, we are going to gradually increase milk to 3-20 oz bottles, she does love it! I guess I won't give up on milking mom, I am trying 3 X a day.

[Chaty]

Keep up the milking and letting her have it as she will grow well for you..