rachels.haven's Journal

[farmerjan]

Had to "laugh" for your post... YEAH... FREAKIN first fresheners... give me an older experienced cow ANY DAY of the week and twice on Sundays...

Some of the cows can really kick... and I cannot imagine a super fast 100 lb goat kicking... quicker than you can see that slender leg move... and being way too close to chest high level up on the stand....

Is there anyway to use a cone of some sort like on a dog... to prevent her from self sucking???? Have had a couple of cows over the years self sucking... they get sold as it is nearly impossible to break them of it... had those 2 heifers that started sucking their "sisters" when they all calved a couple years ago... did the nose anti-suck flaps and all that... one got moved to another pasture where she got knocked around and quit... had another that I could not get to stop and she went on the trailer for a one way ride to town... hated that sorry witch... Since I have no experience with goats doing it, don't have any ideas... sure ruins her chances to make her milk records etc...
One dairy I test has one female that has a an anti-suck nose flap in her nose... she will try to suck other cows and they said they weren't going to deal with it... so far it has stopped her doing it in the milking herd...

 

[rachels.haven]

The best thing about getting kicked by a goat vs cow is that I feel like a cow would break your bones. The mini goat kick was minorly painful. I was mostly worried about the doe I was milking kicking back and the milk bucket getting kicked over.

I don't think it's easy to break a goat of self milking either, but I'd rather get another round or two of kids out of her rather than selling her. I've heard of one person using a dog cone reversed and after 2 years the goat forgot...they have long memories but mostly they usually get sold (to me apparently). I'm not sure this ND will even be around in 2 years. She's got a bit of a weight problem and is back to looking pregnant with quads and waddling around again (kids are 2 weeks old). I think an anti suck/nurse flap would work for goats. I may have to buy a cow one and see if I can get my brother with a 3d printer to scale one down. I'd like her to live and be normal. For now I've ordered teat tape in case it works.
If you make a generational paper trail of good milk records for goats the offspring look even better. At least I know Oberon's daughters will milk well when they freshen even if mom by choice does not.

 

[Baymule]

Self suck! Stinking thing! That has to be exasperating.

 

[rachels.haven]

And just like that a pair of polled mini Snooter-lings appear. Twin bucks for Zelda, aka Snooter by Beaul.

 

[frustratedearthmother]

And just like that a pair of polled mini Snooter-lings appear.

Woo Hoo - Congrats!

 

[rachels.haven]

March 8th and 12th are our last due dates for this year, so for now we get a rest and to settle in and milk and maybe sell our 3 extra bucklings.

 

[Baymule]

They are cute!

 

[rachels.haven]

Thanks!

 

[Ridgetop]

Well, one feeder in the older doe stops following me around and yelling at me. I look up and she's cocked a leg and is self sucking and milking herself.

Self suckers are a real problem! Not sure how they learn to do it but it really plays heck with production records.

but I'm still preparing for battle.

Check out hobbles to attach her hind legs to the stanchion. Or shoot her. Depends on whether she lands a kick on you in a painful place while you are armed.

 

[rachels.haven]

The milker has been brought out and the ff had her butt held off the ground until she was done. Everything took extra long with the new routine and new kids but we made it. We'll get there.