Question about milking while goat is nursing kids

gunsmithgirl · #1 03/23/12, 06:55 PM

Ok My ND trinity had 4 kids, 2 weeks ago, since she is tested CAE free I am letting her nurse the kids (and I don't have time to bottle feed). I read to separate the kids from her at night now that they are 2 weeks old and milk her in the AM and then let her back in with the kids. I am starting that tomorrow. So when should I begin milking her in the evenings as well?
I am new to milking so this will be my first go at it. Luckily Trinity has been milked before and stands real well on the stand.

Alice In TX/MO · #2 03/23/12, 07:10 PM

With four kids, I would NOT separate them or milk her for the house. Four is too many to leave any for home use.

If there are bucklings, dispose of them so that there is more milk for you.

southerngurl · #3 03/23/12, 07:12 PM

Yea, if there is four there isn't going to be extra. Perhaps pull a couple and put on bottles.

rootsandwings · #4 03/23/12, 07:34 PM

Depends on the goat.

I've got one nursing triplets. They are FAT little butterballs. I started separating at night at 3 weeks. Two weeks later I am getting a quart and a half a day for the house. I've got another nursing twins. She lost some condition at the end of her pregnancy from worm load and her production is lower. At three weeks I am still letting her kids have it all. I weigh the kids every three days - if their weight gain lags, I am taking too much milk.

gunsmithgirl · #5 03/23/12, 07:50 PM

O.k. Thanks for the help. If 4 is too many to start milking her should I just wait until the kids are ready to be weaned? That's around 8 weeks old right?

Alice In TX/MO · #6 03/23/12, 07:54 PM

Weaning is at 12 weeks.

mekasmom · #7 03/23/12, 08:03 PM

I wouldn't use her for milk for the house either. If she has bucklings, I would sell them at this point for someone who wants a bottle baby for 4H. They would be too small to use for meat, but you could sell them for a kid to use for 4H. That way you might be able to get some milk.

As far as when to start milking? I prefer 3weeks just for the taste, but most people begin milking for human use at 2-4wks after kidding. As soon as the milk gets rid of that awful colostrum taste, you can milk. But I wouldn't put that stress on her right now.

saanengirl · #8 03/23/12, 08:15 PM

I put my does on the stand and milk them twice a day from the day they kid. I may only get a squirt or two, but it teaches the doe about the milk stand, gives me a chance to put my hands on her udder and catch mastitis in the early stages, and increases the doe's overall production. If I need milk for the house I may separate the kids overnight once they are two weeks old.

CaliannG · #9 03/23/12, 08:52 PM

I pull at birth and bottle feed from day one. I do not use milk for anything but putting into bottles for the kids until three weeks.

I prefer pulling them, not only for CAE prevention, but because it is emotionally easier on me and the doe. This way, if I sell off all of the doe's kids, I don't have her moping and crying for her kids for two weeks, nor do I have a drop in production. She bonds to me instead... and I'm not going anywhere.

It's more work to bottle feed, especially for the first couple of weeks, but easier in the long run for me, and better for production. I don't have to constantly check and worry if a kid is being rejected, if it is getting enough to eat, or if the doe is getting udder problems, or getting sick, because I am controlling it all.

freeb · #10 03/23/12, 10:50 PM

good luck!