How long once they have an udder

deineria · #1 01/15/10, 09:51 PM

Our FF Nubian doe started to get an udder well over a month ago.
Our pygmy does usually kid within a week or two of getting an udder, but not Claire.
I can't believe it.
How long before kidding do Nubians and other dairy breeds usually have a very pronounced udder?

**mygoat** · #2 01/15/10, 10:54 PM

My doe's udders start within 6 weeks. It really doesn't matter if they're dairy or not... However, it can depend on the doe. That's why I prefer exact duedates.

#3 01/15/10, 11:09 PM

I'm watching this thread. I noticed tonight that my Minerva, a Snubia, got through the gate and is not not just 'fat' but more likely 'with kid'. I noticed this tonight when I gave her a once over and felt that her udders are about 4 times as large as my Saanen's...and my Saanen is about a month older than she is. I think the guy I bought Minerva from lied about how old she is as she was bigger when we got her than my Saanen's were at the age he said they were and several months later they aren't as big as my full grown Sannens are.

So please chime in and let us newbies know what to look for..PLEASE!

DQ · #4 01/16/10, 10:34 AM

I have alot of variation in mine. some of it is breed and some of it is individual. the dairy breeds obvioulsy have larger udder in general and it becomes more obvious sooner. a better indicator is how full the udder is. when near kidding it gets taut with milk (generally). get acccustomed to checking it each day. it will get more and more full then all of the sudden it will be "tight", then you know to keep a real close eye out. having dates make this sooooo much easier and less stressful!

deineria · #5 01/16/10, 10:52 AM

Her breeding was an oops to our Pygmy buck. So I have no idea when it took place, but she must be getting close. I already have her up in a kidding stall.

luvzmybabz · #6 01/16/10, 12:14 PM

I was confused at first myself untilo I saw/felt a truly strutted udder. You know those movies where the enlisted in the army must make their beds so that you can flip a coin on it, that is what I copmpare a STRUTTED udder to.

**mygoat** · #7 01/16/10, 12:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by luvzmybabz

I was confused at first myself untilo I saw/felt a truly strutted udder. You know those movies where the enlisted in the army must make their beds so that you can flip a coin on it, that is what I copmpare a STRUTTED udder to.

Just to problematic, I'm going to go ahead and say not all does get a full udder before kidding. All of the does I've ever owned have, and so have all the ones I've helped during kidding time have, but every once in a while a doe won't start production till after kidding. The fullness of the udder is pretty noticeable, from 'squishy' to 'that feels like it hurts" LOL. Udder development of SOME sort has always started - in all breeds I've seen - about 6 weeks prior to kidding. I don't notice it as much with my (mostly pygmy origin) Miniatures until I feel the udder.

I would keep the doe out of the kidding stall until she looses her ligaments.