First time goat owner and milking

Having a separate stall for kidding is a really good idea.
Most people do use a kidding stall.
I am sure they will come around. Cool you two are in this together.

Here are our goats, or most of them.

Sweet!!!!!!!!!

The that I have that kidded first this year was a kid from last year. I was there at her birth last year and she was a twin with a buckling. The buckling was super sweet. She let me pet her for a few weeks but after I sold her brother she wanted nothing to do with me. She would run as soon as I got close. When she was three months pregnant her whole attitude changed. I was able to pet her and feel her all over, even her legs. I would touch her udder everyday until she gave birth. The only time she wouldn't let me pet her was when she was eating. Her mama will let me touch her a stuff but it has to be quick until she is 3 months pregnant as well. Another doe is the same way, but her doe from last year will let me do anything to her. I can't get away from her. She will be a year in 1 1/2 weeks but she is not pregnant yet.

Mini Horses said:

Yes -- you can and should use the dams milk. Not only is it less expensive, it's there and you want to milk anyway. If milked she will produce "what you take" and that will be more than the kids need. Goats will produce what the "milker" takes, up to her maximum capability. The dairies pull kids just because they have the doe for milk, a kid is "just" how they get her into milk. Of course, the first couple of weeks, you won't want to drink the milk as the colostrum and heavy creams are there, the kids need it and you won't like how it tastes -- think & sweet.

Keep handling the one due soon. Once she kids, you will probably be able to milk her without a huge issue. Worth a try. The others, do keep handling, you may be surprised.

Good luck, keep us updated. We love to know how things go. PLUS -- pictures are always nice.

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I am new also to milking, my plans were to let the doe raise the kids, I plan to take the kids away at night and milk the doe in the am and then let the kids in with her all day, I plan to leave them with her after birth for about 2-3 weeks and not milk her at all, letting the kids get all the milk. My question, if I milk her in the am , will she still have some milk for the day for the kids and what do you think of my plan?

Yes, she will hold back some and make more within a short time. Many do this "separate & milk". Know that a milking doe needs more nutrition. It takes a lot to make quantity and quality, real good hay &/or excellent pasture, plus quality feed on the stand. You will be rewarded with excellent milk.

Also, some breeds will "milk thru", meaning they can milk longer than the 10 months you hear, doing well with no breeding/resting time. Some can skip a year of breeding & produce well, although generally less the last few months. Not all will/can. I have large Saanens and they are happy to do this. Well, several of them. If you don't keep a buck and/or keep only 2 or 3 does, it may be a way to keep milk and have fewer kids. Some do this to "stagger" the breeding/production. Each person has their own needs & plans. Just saying, often the does will be happy to assist with your plans.

Thanks

Georgia Girl said:

I am new also to milking, my plans were to let the doe raise the kids, I plan to take the kids away at night and milk the doe in the am and then let the kids in with her all day, I plan to leave them with her after birth for about 2-3 weeks and not milk her at all, letting the kids get all the milk. My question, if I milk her in the am , will she still have some milk for the day for the kids and what do you think of my plan?

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This is what we do EXCEPT I milk them once a day before the 2-3 weeks. I don't worry about milking them out, or if I only get a few drops if they have 2+ babies. However, if you wait 2-3 weeks after kidding to milk you are likely to have quite the wrestling match with most does. They don't let down their milk and you will get quickly frustrated. I milk within a few hours of birth while all those hormones are in play and the does are almost always very compliant- even the ones that are more difficult later on. It will also let you feel that udder daily and catch any problems- like only nursing on one side, mastitis, etc right away. I've only given bottles to supplement a small triplet or quad with this plan. I don't supplement otherwise and the babies grow great.