stress and milk question

[Awnry Abe]

Well Java finally had her kids Wednesday night, all four of them. two DOA, one died this morning of cold/not getting fed, who knows. Its frustrating. Anways, she has one lone buck left that I really don't want to lose, so I'm pulling him and bottlefeeding. He has been getting fed, as evident by the belly and the copious amount of urine hes been releasing onto the kitchen floors.

So now for the question:
If I move Java from one completely different area to another(not even close to the other pastures, its a whole new barn and everything), will she be stressed and not produce much milk for us? The reason we have her is for milk and I don't wan't to lose that too. We were planning on moving her before she kidding but the stalls weren't completed yet.

Hopefully for the next goats we will be able to move them down before they kid! I hate going up there and milking twice a day.

[Alice In TX/MO]

Is she going to be all by herself or with goats she knows?

[Awnry Abe]

Thanks for the help. DD posted this thread.

Yes, we will be bringing her soul sister, Jane. She is due to kid in a few weeks. The new barn is OH SO close to being ready. I hate this make-shift stuff.

[GoldenWood Farm]

She might be a little stressed and her milk might be down for a day or two but it will come right back up. She won't hit her stride milking until about 3-4 weeks out from kidding that is when they hit peak production. But in the next couple of days her milk will come in (if it hasn't already).

I am so sorry you lost 3 of the kids . I hope this last one does okay for you guys.

Justine

[Alice In TX/MO]

Milk her three times a day, if you can, after the move. Shower her with love and reassurance. TALK to her, both before and after the move.

They are amazing creatures.

[Clovers_Clan]

If she wasn't dewormed the day of birth or day after, for sure do it now. And remember, humans shouldn't be drinking the milk until after reasonable withdrawl time. You can keep the bottle baby on the milk.

[LettucePatch]

Originally Posted by Clovers_Clan

If she wasn't dewormed the day of birth or day after, for sure do it now. And remember, humans shouldn't be drinking the milk until after reasonable withdrawl time. You can keep the bottle baby on the milk.

going to worm her today. Dont plan on drinking the milk till two weeks after kidding, or was it three? We have three bottle lambs too that we are going to feed her milk to until we can drink it.
The buckling is doing great, btw. I'm glad I took him because we had freezing rain last night, and Java wasn't doing well at keeping him warm before. (we also have a record at how long it takes them to finally suck on the bottle, about three seconds and he was on the track to drain it!)


ETA: Forgot I was signed into DW's account, so..

[LettucePatch]

Originally Posted by Alice In TX/MO

Milk her three times a day, if you can, after the move. Shower her with love and reassurance. TALK to her, both before and after the move.

They are amazing creatures.

Can milk three times a day just this weekend, then I can only do twice a day. Think that'll be enough?

[Alice In TX/MO]

Yes. It will help.

[dozedotz]

Sorry about the little ones...dern weather has been a killer for sure. Meg "lost" her boy born Tuesday night because after leaving him with her and finding him with a tail that had been cut by her pawing the ground incessantly...we took him inside with the other two. She was bereft to say the least! I spent the night running between her and the 3 kids. She took a great deal of comfort from my being there and has now decided that I am the only one who can milk her! Additionally, she was holding back on the milk (don't tell me that they cannot do that!!) No matter how I smooth talked her and petted and cooed to her...Finally about 3 in the morning she let loose. then we had to move her to her pen outside away from where she last saw the kid. OH, goodness! We had to start all over again with the smooth talking and cuddling. The first day I milked her every hour (probably not...but it seemed like it) because I had to get the colostrum in those kids!! After that it was 3 times a day until yesterday (Friday) when she suddenly just let go of her pain (or most of it) and really started to give the milk. This morning we got 2 quarts.
They do come back around usually from a big loss or a big change. As much time as you can give will help the transition go faster. But it can be heartbreaking for them. I love goats...really! Oh, also, Jane will definitely help...Meg is with Danni who is her pal.

[GoldenWood Farm]

Dozedotz I have to giggle a little bit about reading how your doe wouldn't give her milk. I have had does do that, I swear they where almost clenching their butt cheeks to stop from giving the milk. One doe you could only get a few drops out of until you brought the kid out with her then you hit the mother load. Oh the memories .

Justine

[dozedotz]

Justine: LOL on the butt cheeks!