Drying off

victory · #1 10/01/10, 10:13 AM

I have a first freshener that I am planning on breeding this fall, she is so productive that I am having a struggle drying her off. I have decreased her grain, much to her shegrin. All she does is pump out more milk. I am really hopin for some wonderful suggestions...Have a glorious day!!!!

Alice In TX/MO · #2 10/01/10, 10:17 AM

What breed?

You know you don't have to dry her off before breeding, right?

You can milk her till 60 days before delivery.

OR.... do like I did, and not realize your high producer is pregnant (thanks to flying sperm and a fence that ... never mind) and milk her all the way through the pregnancy. <sigh> Not really recommended.

victory · #3 10/01/10, 10:40 AM

She is a LaMancha. I know I could keep milking her, but I have milk coming out my ears , so for one less in milk would be a great relief for me.

Alice In TX/MO · #4 10/01/10, 11:47 AM

My doe that milked through her pregnancy is a LaMancha, too.

Oat Bucket Farm · #5 10/01/10, 12:39 PM

Or don't breed and just milk through

Lada · #6 10/01/10, 01:55 PM

You probably have to stop milking or cut back on the milking. You don't want to let her get engorged, but you don't want to milk her all the way out, as that is just signaling her body to make more milk. Maybe cut back to once a day or just milk out enough to take the pressure off some.