No Milk :(

Marysgoats · #1 02/20/13, 02:00 PM

I have a goat that delivered twin boys the 18th. I had colostrum (?) in the freezer. So I gave both some an they took it fine. Thing is the mother has not a drop of milk of no kind. She is mothering and cleaning doing it all but just no milk. I have never had this to happen before.
She is a Boar an my husbands family had her forever. They decided to send her up here with my goats. Whell I have Alpine, Lamache, an Nubian all milk goats. My Nubian Buck nailed her as soon as we got her in I guess. Anyway are there anything to do to bring milk?? She has not a drop.
I'm feeding the boys bought milk from the store. My other babies will be due in March.

**mygoat** · #2 02/20/13, 03:01 PM

What is her body condition score, and what is her nutrition like?

I do know that malnutrition - either not being fed enough or inadequate kinds of minerals/feeds can greatly impact milk production. Though usually animals in negative energy balance tend to be poor mothers overall.

To truely not develop an udder or begin to lactate is extremely unusual.

Marysgoats · #3 02/20/13, 03:26 PM

She eats well, hay all she wants an clean water. She looks very well an she licks and loves her babies. She doesn't mind me around her little ones so guess I'll just keep on feeding them the bottle. Just thought I could help her. Like I said I've never ever had a problem loke this before. But...you learn as you go in life I guess.

Sherry in Iowa · #4 02/20/13, 03:43 PM

Wow..how unusual. How old is she?

I'm glad the kids are okay!

quiltstuff · #5 02/20/13, 03:50 PM

Is there any possibility she is feeding the kids when you are not there so that she is always empty when you check her?

Ford Zoo · #6 02/20/13, 04:23 PM

I'm wondering the same thing Quiltstuff is. My first boer was older and experienced when I got her. She would not feed the kids when I was watching for the first few weeks, and she WOULD NOT let her milk down for me. No way, no how. I know this because I was worried that she was not feeding the kids and tried to milk her a few times.

If she is motherly, I would watch the kid(s) to see they are peeing/pooping, and weigh them occassionally.

Minelson · #7 02/20/13, 04:26 PM

If you are sure that there is no milk at all then I would call the vet university closest to you and ask them what they think??? Just an idea

Sherry in Iowa · #8 02/20/13, 04:31 PM

Okay, does she have a bag at all? Is she bagged and milk just isn't coming out?

KrisD · #9 02/20/13, 09:46 PM

Did she pass her placenta? They have to pass it for the hormones to que her body to start making milk. I would use warm damp cloths on her and massage that udder. Milk her some even if you can't get anything out because we need to signal her body to start making some milk. I would give her fenugreek from the health food area of your local store. I do 4 capsules a day, if milk comes in well you can slowly back off if not you can bump her up some.

Are the kids early? Sometimes if the kids are early it takes a few days for their milk to come in.

Marysgoats · #10 02/21/13, 06:12 AM

I have tried to milk her and there dry as a bone. I think she is 8 yrs. I will call the vet today. Like I said she acts like she's talking care of them but no milk the boys come when I call them to me. They are just so cut/

Frosted Mini's · #11 02/21/13, 02:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KrisD

Did she pass her placenta? They have to pass it for the hormones to que her body to start making milk. I would use warm damp cloths on her and massage that udder. Milk her some even if you can't get anything out because we need to signal her body to start making some milk. I would give her fenugreek from the health food area of your local store. I do 4 capsules a day, if milk comes in well you can slowly back off if not you can bump her up some.

Are the kids early? Sometimes if the kids are early it takes a few days for their milk to come in.

Huh? I milk my girls all the time before they drop their placentas...

I wonder if she had mastitis before in both sides, which made her not produce anymore, maybe.

KrisD · #12 02/21/13, 05:21 PM

When the placenta is passed it makes Estrogen and progesterone levels drop which signals milk production. You will have colostrum before birth but it's the act of birth that signals the milk to come in. That's why women who have very premature babies often don't get their milk in. It works the same in all mammals.