SmallFarmGirl's journal- Books & Cats!

[SmallFarmGirl]

I think she was referring to a test of how much milk she can produce. (Correct me if I'm wrong on this because I'm new to the dairy test stuff.)

You milk the goat intensely to bring her production up to it's full potential and then weigh the milk each day over a period of time to get a test of her production rate. You can send the milk in and get it tested for butterfat content, protein levels, etcetera.

This is crucial if you are going to be selling your kids on the market as purebreds later on down the line.

And since they are registered, it might be a good idea to keep good dairy and herd records. Even though these are "pet goats" you want to keep good records of your girls just in case you want to show their babies in the future.

So this is only a test to see how much she will produce ??? I thought it was a sickness or something that can make her milk not good ???

 

[SmallFarmGirl]

I think she was referring to a test of how much milk she can produce. (Correct me if I'm wrong on this because I'm new to the dairy test stuff.)

You milk the goat intensely to bring her production up to it's full potential and then weigh the milk each day over a period of time to get a test of her production rate. You can send the milk in and get it tested for butterfat content, protein levels, etcetera.

This is crucial if you are going to be selling your kids on the market as purebreds later on down the line.

And since they are registered, it might be a good idea to keep good dairy and herd records. Even though these are "pet goats" you want to keep good records of your girls just in case you want to show their babies in the future.

So this is only a test to see how much she will produce ??? I thought it was a sickness or something that can make her milk not good ???

Where could I buy that sort of test ??? How would I keep her records ??? Put down how much she produces ???

and want to be
THE BEST GOAT OWNER !!!

 

[Queen Mum]

Not to see how much she will produce per se, but to get her production up and then measure it for your records. Then over time you track it. It helps you judge the health and well being of your dairy animal. And it helps you evaluate how your feeding plan is going as well.

You will notice, the longer you have dairy goats, that their general health shows up in a number of ways. Milk production is one of those ways. For example, it will fluctuate with weather changes, when they go into heat, when they are sick, and when their nutrition is really good or poor.

Milk quality also changes at different stages of the season. Early-season milk, mid-season milk and late-season milk all have a slightly different handling technique when making cheese.

 

[SmallFarmGirl]

Where could I buy this test ???

 

[SuburbanFarmChic]

Ok there are two "tests" you guys are talking about


1) Production.

2) CAE


Production tests are just that. There are various styles of quality and qty testing that you can get into. I'd post a query in the milking section or everything goats section to get better info.


CAE is a disease that can greatly effect the health of the goat in everything from body condition and arthritis to milk production, ruined udders and seizing babies. It's not good and should be avoided. It is majority passed on from does to kids through the milk. The milk can be pasteurized to make it safe for the kids. Goats should be tested at 1yr to see if they have developed the antibodies to it and are there for positive for the disease. This can be done with milk I believe or a blood draw.

 

[KellyHM]

I was talking about the CAE test. You don't want to give colostrum from an infected doe to a kid or they'll pass the infection along.

ETA: Biotracking is a good place to send samples. http://www.biotracking.com/goats

 

[Queen Mum]

Ok there are two "tests" you guys are talking about


1) Production.

2) CAE


Production tests are just that. There are various styles of quality and qty testing that you can get into. I'd post a query in the milking section or everything goats section to get better info.


CAE is a disease that can greatly effect the health of the goat in everything from body condition and arthritis to milk production, ruined udders and seizing babies. It's not good and should be avoided. It is majority passed on from does to kids through the milk. The milk can be pasteurized to make it safe for the kids. Goats should be tested at 1yr to see if they have developed the antibodies to it and are there for positive for the disease. This can be done with milk I believe or a blood draw.

Great info, Suburban Farm Chic. Very helpful. O

OK, SmallFarmGirl. It's pretty simple. Just take a deep breath and relax!

First of all, check with your breeder. She probably was already CAE tested. The breeder can tell you that.

As for the production tests, you can do all that yourself. Like Suburban Farm Chic said, read up on it and you will gradually get the hang of it. Just get a notebook and start writing down how much milk you are getting to start with you are off and running.

You'll get it over time. You are already doing fine... Take deep breaths.....

 

[SmallFarmGirl]

OK, SmallFarmGirl. It's pretty simple. Just take a deep breath and relax!


You'll get it over time. You are already doing fine... Take deep breaths.....

Thanks ... turns around and wipes her forehead *WHEW* ... O.k. got it !!! I'll start today ...

 

[SmallFarmGirl]

SOOO.... Should I just have a notebook with a thing like this :
Date:_______________<(when you just milked her) Amount:_____________<(how much) Freshening:______ <(1st 2nd etc.)
Does that sound good ???

 

[SmallFarmGirl]

Going to tractor supply :bun