Goat will not let me milk her...

[kstaven]

Last stud colt I tried this approach with years ago surprised me and put me through a fence. Patched myself up and went back to it. He was much better the next time. I think the combination of renaming him horseburger and seeing the crazed look in my eyes helped.

 

[Bedste]

We deal with both cows and goats in a dairy situation and the only tried and true method comes back to. "This is your milking area. This is how it is going to be done. I am far more stubborn than you are."

 

[alsea1]

Horseburger. Thats funny.
Yeah. I put eye hooks on my milk stand for leg hobbles if need be. After a bit they decide they will just hold still and enjoy the feed.

 

[DonnaBelle]

We had problems with different does being on the milking stand and starting to kick.

DH bought some hobbles, the velcro kind. He put "eye" rings on the rear sides of the stand on both sides. He puts a hobble on, and snaps the Clip on the hobble and spreads the legs that are tied down.

This way they can't kick. They are busy eating too. After a while, they associate their feed with getting milked, and it makes a huge difference.

We have our stand against a wall also, and he milks from the rear of course.

DonnaBelle

 

[treeclimber233]

Last year I posted about my doe that refused to be milked. She kidded when I had mono and the doctor told me to be very careful about getting punched/poked in the abdomine area. Since my doe is a bit dangerous to be around when feed is involved I did not try to milk her for 3 weeks after kidding. Then it was a steady fight for 3-4 months with me not getting anywhere with her. She would lay down on the stand and I could not lift her (full size nubian) I tried putting things under her to keep her up, smacking her when she kicked and everything else everyone suggested. She just got mad and refused to eat her grain. I would take her off the stand and I refused to give her grain anywhere but on the stand. Needless to say I gave up thinking I would try again this year as soon as she kidded hoping she would "adopt me" and allow me to have some milk too. Skipping ahead to this year (already mentioned she is a bit dangerous when food is involved) I got tired of getting run over and pushed around when I had food in my hands so I got a 5 foot piece of PVC pipe that I use on her to keep her in line. Took a serious number of solid whacks before she got the message that she needed to keep her distance from me at feeding time. Now I think she sees me as the boss at the barn. The other day I thought I would see how she was about being touched on her udder. I was totally blown away when she actually squatted for me. It was only for a second or two but I now have hope that I will be able to milk her this year. I am thinking she thought she was the boss and she decided I was not going to milk her. I am going to keep "messing" with her udder since she is not due yet so she will get used to my hands on her.

 

[Bedste]

WOW good luck!

I am so tickled to announce that I have successfully milked her three times. I am thankful for all your advice. Milking stand is up on cinder blocks making it about a foot higher.. so easy on my back! Also borrowed DF http://www.maggidans.com/milker.htm. Attached a wide lift strap with cinch and we place it under her belly to hold her up. She stopped fighting and now milks very easily. I also pet her and talk calm and sweetly.. 100% turn around

 

[michickenwrangler]

Glad to hear that you've made some progress. I'm sure it's been frustrating and even though this may sound weird considering it's a goat you're dealing with, but in a way it's hard NOT to take it personal.

 

[Bedste]

yep I know....


tonight I put her up on the stand to milk her and put the girth strap on and washed her up and put on the milking machine..... she was fine... no prob. The milking machine even got stuck so I finished her by hand... no problem at all.... I pet her and talked sweetly to her.... and she is wonderful.

 

[Bedste]

JUST WANTED EVERYONE TO KNOW THAT MY SWEET GOAT IS WONDERFUL NOW.
recap;
I called the previous owner to tell her ever since she kidded she will not allow me to milk her. She lays down on her belly. Her response was "You are not beating her hard enough"

that says it all....


So I decided to shower this goat with TLC

I put extra food in the stand and I put a girth strap under her belly, talked sweetly and calmly and I used a hand pump......

after several days of doing this... the resistance became less and less.... she also comes to me to be pet during the day and I see that she is happier.

Now I do not even use the girth strap. I forgot it one day and so did she. I still have to use the hand pump but I am ok with that. I want her to feel safe and happy.

Just wanted to share the good news. And also she gives well over a gallon a day.

Thanks for all your help and advice. You all have been very supportive and helpful and I am so glad that I posted my problem. You saved the day and the GOAT. This hand pump is the only thing that she will let milk her and I am ok with that I have also started using it on the other goats because it seems to get every last drop and I am also coming in the house with less hay and hair particles. Much cleaner way all around. The milk goes into a sealed and covered plastic gallon jug... so awesome. http://www.maggidans.com/milker.htm

The story is in the change of attitude in a wonderful lamancha who is now also happy and peaceful and approachable. No telling what her issues where or how she was mistreated. I am so glad she lives here now and I bet she is too!

 

[michickenwrangler]

Good work.