HELP! Trouble Milking Nigerian Dwarf

[lipazron]

I would appreciate some advice... We have a seven year old with her two kids (just over month old). They nurse throughout day. She seems to produce plenty of milk and has no problems with udders. I just set up my milking stand and am trying to milk her early each morning. She has no interest in getting on the stand (first few attempts were unsuccessful so I lowered it for her). I entice her with a scoop of her daily food as well as apples, but nothing. When I do manage to get her onboard (by lifting her against her will yesterday), the result is very little milk. have the kids had most of it during the night/early AM or am I doing it incorrectly? Can someone help me so that I can do this right and successfully? thank you

 

[ksalvagno]

If kids are nursing, then they will drink most of the milk. You would want to separate them at night and then milk in the am. If the doe has never been milked, then it is going to take time and patience. She is going to have to be trained. You may have to lift her on the milkstand. Also, you do need to offer her grain while milking. If there is someone close by that can help you get started, that will make it a little easier for you and they could see what is going on and give you some better tips.

 

[lipazron]

Thank you. I do feed her grain but she is not excited about getting on the table and into position. I am not sure how/when to separate her from her kids at night. The shed is not divisible.

 

[Catahoula]

Thank you. I do feed her grain but she is not excited about getting on the table and into position. I am not sure how/when to separate her from her kids at night. The shed is not divisible.

You can use a large dog crate or a large wire cage...for the kids at night.

 

[lipazron]

Great idea... Thank you. Is there a right and wrong way to milk? I draw the milk into the teet with my hand and then basically squeeze it out - very thin stream comes out.

 

[ksalvagno]

It is hard for me to explain how to do it. There are probably videos online on how to milk a goat if you do a search. The way your saying sounds sort of right but I'm not sure you quite have the right technique. There kind of is a right and wrong way to do it. You can damage the teats and udder if you do it wrong. Probably a better way to put it is that there are variations of a right and wrong way to do it.

 

[SkyWarrior]

The description I heard for milking is to take an exam glove and fill it with air. Then hold the finger of it with your hand so when you pull down, you move the air down into the finger and make it bulge. When you can move the air, you've got the idea.

Kind of.

 

[daisychick]

I was taught by being told this. You are trapping the milk in the teat with your thumb and pointer finger squeezing a ring around the top. Then you squeeze that trapped milk out with your other fingers tightening up on the teat. Squeeze, release, squeeze, release. FiascoFarm.com has a great photo of a glove and a good description of it. It takes a while and a lot of patience to learn, but once you get it, then you got it.

 

[lipazron]

Thanks very much.