Pink milk - how long?

ChickenMom · #1 03/28/10, 07:57 AM

I have a Lamancha/Nubian doe that freshened 3/10 with a single doeling. The doeling will only nurse on one side and the other side got really full before I realized it. I started milking this doe twice a day because she was producing so much (I normally milk OAD and dam raise my kids). The side the doeling doesn't nurse on has had pink milk ever since and it will soon be 3 weeks. She has no fever and tested negative for mastitis, the other side is normal. Will I always have pink milk?

suzyhomemaker09 · #2 03/28/10, 10:34 AM

The pink comes from stretching of the udder tissue...I had a doe who well past kidding turned up with pink milk from an udder injury. It took a couple of weeks to get it back to normal.

saanengirl · #3 03/28/10, 08:14 PM

It really depends on the doe. The milk should come back to normal after the stretched tissues have a chance to heal, but you may see pink milk again if she is ever over-uddered or has other trauma to her udder. Some does have very weak capillary walls, and will have pink milk with the least amount of trouble. My dad used to have a Saanen doe who would do that. Pink milk does not automatically mean mastitis.

LomahAcres · #4 03/29/10, 01:54 AM

Our FF Nubians will have blood in the milk as the udder stretches out. On and off their first year, and sometimes into their second freshening as well - usually just the heavier milkers. If you let the milk sit a day the blood will settle at the bottom of the container and you can pour off the top. From what I understand, it is more likely found in Nubians & Nubian crosses.

Most likely the side the kid is not nursing from is getting fuller with milk and stretching more. Try milking that side all the way out if you're only milking part way? Or once again in the afternoon - so she is milked 3x's a day.

ChickenMom · #5 03/29/10, 08:11 AM

She gives 42oz per side. This is her 2nd freshening but the people I got her from had dried her up because she was wild. I think they had been mean to her because it took us a year and a half to tame her down.
So, if you let the milk settle and pour off the top it's OK to drink?
Thanks everyone

Alice In TX/MO · #6 03/29/10, 09:02 AM

I would do that.