hi and thanks for this forum. i appreciate the devotion and enthusiasm expressed here for the goats and for the keepers! i have two nigerian does that are presently in milk. i have had them for two months and so far everything is going quite well. my older doe is 6 years old and will be kidding for the around 7/14/12. she has kidded three times previously and dropped 4 kids twice and tree kids once. she was bred to the buck that she had four with again this time. i have recently begun drying off DORIE but the previous owner told me that it would be ok to milk her right up until she kids. everything i have read says dry them off two months prior to kiddin or thereabouts. she is adapting well to not being milked but i am not sure if i am getting her enough nutrition. she has alfalfa hay available and all the free grazing clover and orchard grass she can eat. also we have been putting some tree branches with fresh leaves in for them. i am confidant taht her birthing will go well due to the fact that she is a proven good mama. however any tips, wisdoms, or advice is greatly appreciated and wont fall on deaf ears!
my younger doe is a first freshener, she is under two years old. just kidded for the first time in april. its funny because since i started drying off DORIE, STORMY is getting antsy on the milking stand! she doesnt produce a lot of milk, 4-6 ounces per milking (compared to 10-12 ounces per milking that DORIE produces). STORMY was bottle fed and is really sweet with blues eyes and a real pretty girl. im sure she will calm down soon. i made a few modifications to the small goat barn and milking stand....that may have disheveled her a little. another question....what is the difference in milk production from a first freshener to a second freshener? i understand each individual is its own case, but i read about an alpine that was giving 5 lbs per milking as a second freshener and had been giving about half that amount as a firs freshener. is there any difference between first and second freshening generally? i would think that after second freshening there is little change.
one more thing... in my enthusiasm i have recently purchased another pregnant doe. i have enough room and all, but maybe i am still too much of a rookie to have baptism of fire in two birthings early on in my goat daddy life! she is a small alpine that was bred to a nigerian buck with great bloodlines. this will be her first kidding so i am reluctant to feel as confidant with her birthing as i am with my experienced doe. any advice? i have contacted a vet that is currently a dog and cat vet with some experience with horses. i am interested in what my fellow goat people have to say about my situation. thanks!
my younger doe is a first freshener, she is under two years old. just kidded for the first time in april. its funny because since i started drying off DORIE, STORMY is getting antsy on the milking stand! she doesnt produce a lot of milk, 4-6 ounces per milking (compared to 10-12 ounces per milking that DORIE produces). STORMY was bottle fed and is really sweet with blues eyes and a real pretty girl. im sure she will calm down soon. i made a few modifications to the small goat barn and milking stand....that may have disheveled her a little. another question....what is the difference in milk production from a first freshener to a second freshener? i understand each individual is its own case, but i read about an alpine that was giving 5 lbs per milking as a second freshener and had been giving about half that amount as a firs freshener. is there any difference between first and second freshening generally? i would think that after second freshening there is little change.
one more thing... in my enthusiasm i have recently purchased another pregnant doe. i have enough room and all, but maybe i am still too much of a rookie to have baptism of fire in two birthings early on in my goat daddy life! she is a small alpine that was bred to a nigerian buck with great bloodlines. this will be her first kidding so i am reluctant to feel as confidant with her birthing as i am with my experienced doe. any advice? i have contacted a vet that is currently a dog and cat vet with some experience with horses. i am interested in what my fellow goat people have to say about my situation. thanks!
The advice to get some supplies ahead of time is good advice. So is finding a vet that can help ahead of time and getting a visit in before the big day. If you don't have a relationship with the vet and then have an emergency most will not come. Finding a local goat mentor would be a great idea too.
