Training a new girl to milk

[Mzyla]

Moreover, after reading all of these battling with milking first-timers, it concerned me to the point, where I started on "milking" little tiny teats on my 2 months old babies, to make them use to the idea.
Amazingly - I can almost tell which one will be good and which one I'm gone need to fight!

The smaller one is standing without movement, pleased like a cat
The bigger one (the one looking like barrel of wine), at first she picks one leg up, like a dog when peeing. Then she pick up another leg....then she throws both legs in the air!
Most likely will be the kicker!!! and....this is the one with horns growing after disbudding!

 

[naturalgoats]

one suggestion is don't only go and get your goat when you are going to do "mean" things to her. try going out sometimes to just take her out to graze... that might help with the unwillingness to be caught..... good luck!

 

[freemotion]

The bigger one (the one looking like barrel of wine), at first she picks one leg up, like a dog when peeing. Then she pick up another leg....then she throws both legs in the air!
Most likely will be the kicker!!! and....this is the one with horns growing after disbudding!

It is early! My Peach was like that at that age and she is a peach to milk. So cooperative and easy to milk and she ADORES me as if I were her kid! I was so sure that she was going to be trouble. She was a pro right from the first squeeze. Keep training her! Make your time together on the milking stand special and not scary in any way. Above all, don't lock her in the stanchion until she is perfectly calm about everything, and then try to release her before she fights it....and if she does get a bit panicky, just put your arm behind her and push her forward, speaking soothingly to her, then let her out when she is calm again.

 

[TigerLilly]

Thanks for that link, Freemotion! Very enjoyable reading.
I have also started getting my younger goats used to the whole handling deal & feeding them in the stand. Unfortunately, the stand is a little bigger than most of the goats...hoping they will grow into it at some point!

 

[Pearce Pastures]

Great post! I have been wondering about how my girls are going to react if I try to milk them (they are due in about a week). The one is okay with me checking her udder, but the other freaks and kicks every time. Not sure if we'll be getting any milk from her

 

[Goatmasta]

Most really change their attitude after they kid especially if you are there with them for the kidding.. Some just have attitude..

 

[imtc]

she is getting better for me now. Hobble's didn't work (she'd either kick them off or rub her legs raw bucking) so I've made a noose out of thick rope and just tie her one leg at the ankle to the table leg and that seems to work well. She fights less to get on the table (even got up on it a couple times totally on her own) and now eats while I milk instead of fighting the whole time. Yipee....making progress.

 

[Roll farms]