How many times to milk?

kyleporter · #1 03/01/10, 08:47 PM

We are starting our homestead and would like to get a Nubian doe for milk soon. We have had pygmy goats as pets off and on for years. However, we have never had a milk animal. I read somewhere online that you can leave the kid(s) with the mom during the day, separate them at night, milk the doe first thing in the morning, and let them out together. This way you only milk once a day and you don't have to bottle feed. What are your opinions?

Also, if I bottle feed, how often?

Thanks and any other advice would be appreciated!

Alice In TX/MO · #2 03/01/10, 09:01 PM

This link has the info about bottle feeding.
http://fiascofarm.com/goats/feeding.htm#bottle

We do the "pen the kids at night" routine instead. So much less stress and avoids the tedium of getting up at four hour intervals.

mrs.H · #3 03/01/10, 10:32 PM

Here is the milk them once a day link. http://fiascofarm.com/goats/milking.htm#onceaday

Fiasco Farms is an excellent resource!

Wags · #4 03/02/10, 12:01 AM

We do the pen the kids at night routine, and we also wait to wean until they are at least 12 weeks old.

nehimama · #5 03/02/10, 02:07 AM

Remember, though, once the kids are weaned you'd have to start milking 2X a day. (That's how it works for me, anyway.)

Bricheze · #6 03/02/10, 02:31 AM

I bottle feed, mostly because I lack space to separate the kids away at night, and also because I raise goats on fresh cows milk instead of goats milk, which is worth a lot more here, and I get the cows milk for free. I hate dealing with weaning when the time comes.

I can also generally sell bottle raised animals for more, as people think they are more loveable/easier to train, this isn't always true, but people will pay more for it.

ACountryMomma · #7 03/02/10, 06:53 AM

I also separate the kids at night (after about 2 weeks so they can be sure to get all that gooood first milk) and milk mornings until weaning, then 2x per day.

susanne · #8 03/02/10, 08:14 AM

you would have much better production if you milk the doe twice a day regardless if she has her kids or not. this way, if the kids are weaned, she still gives plenty of milk. udder will stay healthier and even too.

ACountryMomma · #9 03/02/10, 08:31 AM

I may try that this year Susanne. Separate the kids at night, milk in AM, return kids to mom for the day & milk when we pen up the kids at night.