Unexpected birth

TabletopHomestead · #1 06/09/05, 08:23 PM

I had been milking one group of does once daily for about 4 months when I noticed they really dropped off production. They seemed to be getting enough to eat, slick and fat. I didn't think much of it and kept milking them. Earlier in the week as I was putting one of them back in the pen I reached down to pat her on her right side and felt knobby knees/feet. Another one of this same group of 4 seems to be bred also. Naturally, I quit milking them and today Libby had twins. (This group of goats is 6 and 7 years old and has never bred out of season. Yes, I feel like an idiot. No, I don't need a lecture.) Libby looks well enough and has a full udder, but my question concerns colostrum. Has she, in 4 days, had time to produce any or should I supplement with some store-bought?

debitaber · #2 06/09/05, 10:26 PM

what color is her milk? is it thincker than normal? I would say, yes, she probably did make colustrum. and no I won't give you a talk, she has a full udder, than she probably has enough.

mpillow · #3 06/10/05, 06:15 AM

Just curious...obviously they were bred the first part of January of this year....what was there previous freshening date?

And I think you must be feeding them well to keep milking so long....while PG

TabletopHomestead · #4 06/10/05, 11:33 PM

They freshened within a few days of the birth of my grandson on December 5th. They've been on pasture with lots of browse, grass hay and 16% creep feed. These goats would starve to death on alfalfa and Goat Chow because they've never seen either. LOL. Usually they breed in late summer. Of course, if I'd tried to breed off-season I'd never have gotten it done.

Quote:

Originally Posted by mpillow

Just curious...obviously they were bred the first part of January of this year....what was there previous freshening date?

And I think you must be feeding them well to keep milking so long....while PG

TabletopHomestead · #5 06/10/05, 11:35 PM

So far the babies are doing fine and she has a full udder. I've been working and haven't had a chance to check the milk. Thanks for your advice and tact.

Quote:

Originally Posted by debitaber

what color is her milk? is it thincker than normal? I would say, yes, she probably did make colustrum. and no I won't give you a talk, she has a full udder, than she probably has enough.

debitaber · #6 06/13/05, 06:22 AM

so how is everyonedoing? fine I hope. I am sure they will all be fine. and nice healthy kids. that is great. unexpected ones are always a good surprise. enjoy them . I am sure you will have many hours of joy out of these little ones.. I love to watch the babies, they are so cute. and when they learn to jump and twril it is just to cute. I had my babies all out in the back yard yesterday, so they could really get a good run in , and that they did. they ran around the house. and just about everywhere on the homestead. they are great fun to watch. we put a couple of new toys in yesterday for them . including a slid. and they are having a ball.
I love babies.

TabletopHomestead · #7 06/13/05, 09:01 PM

Libby's babies are strong and healthy. She took them out of the pen into the pasture for the first time today. This morning we found the other doe in question, Annie, with her first set of twins. She's produced 6 sets of singles before this. Undoubtedly, something was happening right in January! Annie does definately have colostrom. Undoubtedly Libby did to, just not as much or as thick as Annie's.