How long do I have to wait before milking?

SiameseVA · #1 05/04/10, 10:23 PM

My doe gave birth today to one doeling. Her udder is big and it seems like the baby is nursing ok. When should I start milking her? Thanks for your help!

saanengirl · #2 05/04/10, 10:40 PM

Go ahead and milk out the extra colostrum as soon as baby has had all she wants. Take that colostrum and freeze it in case you end up with a doe who doesn't have enough colostrum in the future (even if that future may be a year from now). I would start milking twice a day now, especially since she only has one doe kid. She will need your stimulation to produce enough milk for you to share with the kid. Wait a week before you drink the milk to make sure you are drinking milk and not colostrum. The colostrum won't hurt you, but it won't taste as good as milk.

steff bugielski · #3 05/05/10, 05:18 AM

I in fact drink as much colostrum as I can. it tastes fine as is super healthy.

Cheryl aka JM · #4 05/05/10, 07:08 AM

I guess we really don't like the taste of colostrum. Our first doe was at 4 weeks fresh before we were really happy with her milk. Our second doe is only 2 weeks fresh and we taste the milk every day but no one wants to drink it yet.

Alice In TX/MO · #5 05/05/10, 07:28 AM

If you want this doe to have high production, milk her out once a day at least, starting now. Twice a day if she's full.

You might want to wait two weeks to start drinking it, due to the colostrum taste.

shiandpete.1 · #6 05/05/10, 07:53 AM

We started drinking it 3 days after Carla kidded, it was very good. I would milk her 2 times a day, especially since she only had a single.

**mygoat** · #7 05/05/10, 07:57 AM

I would also milk her out 2x per day, to keep production up. Dairy goats produce more milk than what their kids need - especially if she had a single doeling.

SiameseVA · #8 05/05/10, 10:46 AM

I got about 32 oz from her this morning. Her udder is still very large, but not as firm. It seems like there was still plenty of milk left for the baby. I wasn't sure if I'd ever be able to milk her (she was not handled much when I got her as a 2yo) but it went ok. I did it in the stall and she went nuts a few times, scared me a little, but I hope she'll do better on the stand w/feed.

Wags · #9 05/05/10, 11:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cheryl aka JM

I guess we really don't like the taste of colostrum. Our first doe was at 4 weeks fresh before we were really happy with her milk. Our second doe is only 2 weeks fresh and we taste the milk every day but no one wants to drink it yet.

Sorry you are having the same issues we are, but I'm glad to know I'm not alone. Maybe our families just have more sensitive taste buds?

4piecesof8 · #10 05/05/10, 02:26 PM

This is what we did this year. My Saanen had a single buck, my Nubian twin does. 10 days apart.

We waited until 2 weeks old before we milked either doe. Both does raise their kids.

At 8-10 weeks when the kids seemed to enjoy hay and grain, we started pulling them off mom at night and allowing everyone to be together during the day.

Then the little buckling started acting like a Buck! So he was weaned completely. Both does nursed the twin girls for a while. I was surprised at first how accepting the Saanen was of the Snubian girls. Then a couple of days ago she started pushing them away, and shortly after Mama Nubain started restricting teat availabilty too.

Now we milk at 10AM and 10PM. Loads more milk than we knew at first what to do with. now we freeze the extra for when we dry everyone up before kidding next spring. Soon as my cultures arrive we'll start cheese and yogurt....And oh YES, Ice Cream too!!!
Life with Dairy Goats is so much fun!!!!

christie · #11 05/05/10, 11:22 PM

It took a while like 4 weeks before we could drink are does milk. Though very healthy it is nasty... My children were scared to drink, and always asked if it was the yucky milk still? My husband made us all drink a spoonful everyday for all the good antibodies in there.

Freeholder · #12 05/05/10, 11:57 PM

That's odd. I've never waited more than four days before we started to drink the milk, and it's always tasted just fine by then. Sometimes start at three and a half days, depending on how desperate we are for 'real' milk again, LOL!

Kathleen

ETA: I do have sensitive taste buds, too -- I'm always the first one to realize when something tastes 'off.'

Laverne · #13 05/06/10, 02:22 AM

After 4 days the milk is fine here. By then it seems to be foamy like regular milk. The colostrum didn't taste bad either, but maybe it's the breed, Lamancha.

Cheryl aka JM · #14 05/06/10, 06:52 AM

Could be the breed~ one of mine is a Saanen/Nubian cross and the other is a Nubian. But from reading here I'm wondering if it isn't more us that is different. I recall hearing somewhere that certain tastes register differently with each person. I think bitter was one of those~ and bitter is definitely one of the off flavors our family picks up on in early milk. It's hard to describe~ but it's kind of bitter....under the tongue. Probably doesn't make any sense to those who haven't tasted it. I'm a bit jealous~ we have to wait a long time milking for the dogs and pigs before we get to the yummy goat milk!

wintrrwolf · #15 05/06/10, 12:23 PM

I had to start milking my saanen 2 days after birthing because the twins seemed to perfer one side and the other side became engorged. I milk that side once a day and get at least 2 quarts. After its been milked some the babies get to nurse and the milk flows good. My son tried the first milk and said it was fine, my daughter tried the milk a week after I was milking she said it tasted ok...I made goat cheese from some (dried it out to much was crumbly) was kinda bland actually. I have milk coming out my ears ...what to do hehe what should I freeze some in? I made ice cube milk for my coffee

drop one in a cup and stir...yum

Alice In TX/MO · #16 05/06/10, 02:42 PM

Pudding! Tapioca!

Tallabred · #17 05/06/10, 04:06 PM

I make soap with the first milk.

texican · #18 05/06/10, 08:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by steff bugielski

I in fact drink as much colostrum as I can. it tastes fine as is super healthy.

Do you like kefer also?

I've not been able to convince my tastebuds of it's 'goodness'...

I just milk it out and freeze it for future usage.

shiandpete.1 · #19 05/06/10, 09:34 PM

I can't remember who it was, it was either Susanne or Copperpenny that said providing a good mineral, baking soda and cobalt would take the bitter taste from the milk, that is what I did this year as opposed to last year when we had that "bitter" make you gag taste for several weeks after the does freshened.

Alice In TX/MO · #20 05/06/10, 09:37 PM

Where did you find cobalt?