Goat milking question

[Kindred farm]

I have 2 goats that I am currently hand milking. I have 13 quarts of milk in the fridge from the past 3 days. My question is, if I reduce their feed, and do not completely "milk them out" will their production decrease? I have read that it will, but would rather ask the experienced people here on BYH.

Just so you know what I am doing now, I am currently milking them both, 2x's daily and getting approximately 3 quarts each milking. They both get about 2lbs feed, twice a day,free choice hay, browse/pasture for several hours daily, and loose minerals. I weaned their babies last week and just do not need all this milk. Next year I will only breed one doe! Thanks in advance for your feedback.

 

[wynedot55]

you need to always completely milk them out.because leaving milk in their baggs could cause a bad case of mastitis.an then youd be dring her.you can cut her feed back.but still milk her twice a day.

 

[ohiofarmgirl]

you can also post an ad on craigslist.... but know the raw dairy laws of your state. in our state you can sell goats milk "for pet use only" - i've seen people selling it for $5 a quart!!!

or find someone who just got pigs - we got ours yesterday and our dairy goats are providing milk for them as a supplement

you can also freeze the milk

 

[freemotion]

Or learn to make cheese in big batches....ones that age well or freeze well, like mozzarella/ricotta (freeze it) or cheddar, romano, parmesan (age it in wax.) I make four gallon batches once a week or so, as my doe is giving me 3-4 quarts a day. I sell a bit of milk now and again "for pet use or soapmaking ) Helps the goat support her own bills, too.

 

[helmstead]

you need to always completely milk them out.because leaving milk in their baggs could cause a bad case of mastitis.an then youd be dring her.you can cut her feed back.but still milk her twice a day.

Not so.

The way we dry a doe off is just as you've said. We start by milking them 1/2 way out on one of the milkings, usually the pm milking - then milk them all the way out in the morning. We do this until they're no longer engorged in the morning. Once they're fine with that, we reduce both milkings to only milking them 1/2 out. Once that's comfortable, we drop the pm milking, and once that's comfortable we quit milking at all.

Each stage takes about a week.

Also, reduce the feed while you're doing this to whatever your normal maintainance is.

Once you've quit milking, you need to check the udder daily for a week or so, checking for undue heat and hardness.

To date with Nigis and a high production Nubian, this has worked very well and we have been mastitis free. Go figure haha...

 

[Kindred farm]

Excellent, I'll do it that way. As much as I'd like to make cheese and soap, I really don't have the time right now (maybe next year). I am just thrilled that my goat experience, thus far, has been a good one. Thanks everyone!

 

[hoosiergal]

freemotion-----3-4 quarts of milk a day. WOW!!

good milker

 

[freemotion]

Yup, I really did ok when I aquired this goat, in spite of my lack of knowlege and my heart ruling over my head on this one. I went to look at her and bought her only because she was starving because the owners had suddenly fallen on hard times. I had a lot of trouble with her and lost her baby, but once she got going......yowza!

Now I want TWO does to milk....I have more recipes to try, and an aging fridge....

 

[Blackbird]

Free, I think I need to move over there and we can be cheesemaking buddies, how bout it?!

 

[freemotion]

That would be a blast! I have a bunch of cultures and mold powders and other supplies that just arrived in the mail, and not enough milk to play with all the recipes I want to try. I only make four gallon batches now, otherwise, it is not worth all the time it takes. I need another goat!

Well, I don't need another goat....I need to get another one lactating!