Just goat a wonderful idea!

Goat Freak · #1 09/15/05, 08:59 PM

Hi everybody, as is said in one of my other posts I am milking one of my goats now. Well I have heard that after they are about 3.5 months pregnant you have to stop milking them, right? Well since I am afraid that my goat will forget everything I have taught her, because she has only been being milked for about 3 weeks. So I decided that when the time comes I will dry her up, then everyday I will rub her udder, massage, etc. so that to her it feels the same as me milking her, then she won't forget and get all freaking out when I get to milk her again, right? i think that sounds like it would work. If anyone has had any experience with anything of the sort please tell me, I would really like to know. Thank you, Bye.

Goat Freak · #2 09/15/05, 09:01 PM

I'm sorry I just realizied that the post is titled "jsut goat a wonderful idea", sorry everybody, but i kinda have goat on the bain. That's not the first time I have speeled goat instead of got.

lgslgs · #3 09/15/05, 09:35 PM

Being consistent with handling sounds like a really good idea.

We make a point of combing our goats every couple of days. They all love it, and we handle feet and check them all over at the same time.

We also do daily foot and body handling with our calf. She stands calmly and picks up her feet for us when we want to inspect them.

Your idea for how you plan to work with you doe is fantastic. Not only will it let you build on your handling work so far, it builds a relationship of trust. You certainly won't ever regret continuing to put in the bonding and handling time.

Lynda

Meg Z · #4 09/15/05, 10:26 PM

After having a rough start with my first fresheners this year, now everyone gets fed separately on the stand, and gets all-over handled, including udders, so next spring should be easier.

Meg

mammawof3 · #5 09/16/05, 06:21 AM

I have found that once "broke" too milk, they never revert..you can dry them up and go from fall too the following spring, and they will happily jump right up and stand patiently.But then, my goats also had daily human contact year round, maybe that does make a difference, don't really know about that one. I dried my 2 yr. old nubian up, cuz she was so thin and is bred back, but i can say with certainty, if she went through the gate, she would head straight for the milk stand! Don't you just love goats, i am enjoying my newborn boers so much-asked my dh, what we should name the doe kid-he said "it's about time"-so i named her "Thyme"

mary,tx · #6 09/16/05, 06:41 AM

Wouldn't messing with the udder cause milk to keep letting down? Seems to me that would make it harder to dry her up, and be more frustrating for the goat. It wouldn't hurt to keep feeding her on the stand.
mary

Goat Freak · #7 09/16/05, 01:57 PM

Thanks everyone for all the advice, it's her first time being milked, that I know of, and she is at least 6 years old, stubborn old girl. Um by the way, Mary,tx, I don't have a milking stand. You see I'm 14 years old and I'm only really milking her because I think it's cool. I might build one next year, once I get the time and supplies. Well once agian thanks everybody, Bye.