Virgin Doeling, gives milk.. is this normal?

[Rebbetzin]

Since we have a doe that refuses to be milked, we decided that we would start very early getting her doeling kid used to the milkstand and being milked from an early age. So after milking the other goats, we stand her on the stand, give her a bit of grain, and "pretend" to milk her. Only thing is, she is now giving milk! She can give about 1 cup of milk at a time!!

This is too weird, she is only 4 months old. Still nursing a bit from her mom.

Anyone else ever heard of this?

 

[cmjust0]

She's what dairy goat people would call a "precocious milker," though I personally think it should be called "immaculate lactation."

 

[Emmetts Dairy]

"immaculate lactation."

Thats a good one!!!

I must remember that one!!!!

Too much!!!! Very Good!!!!!! Thanks I needed that!!!

 

[Ariel301]

It can happen with does from very "milky" bloodlines, especially if they are getting stimulated by your handling of their udder. I've even heard of a few bucks from super milking lines that actually started making a little milk after a lot of handling in that area.

Good idea working with her young, I like to do that with my doe kids too.

 

[warthog]

Wow I would never have thought that possible. You certainly learn something new everyday on this site.

 

[mistee]

my friend one time brought a foal home from an auction,, to young to be w/o his momma.. A few days later her mare that had never had a baby started nursing it She nursed the baby for a few months....

 

[elevan]

My lab nursed her sister's puppies even though she'd never had a litter.

There are plenty of documented cases in multiple species (including humans) where stimulation of the mammary glands in the form of nursing/milking will produce milk even in females that have never given birth.

 

[Ariel301]

My lab nursed her sister's puppies even though she'd never had a litter.

There are plenty of documented cases in multiple species (including humans) where stimulation of the mammary glands in the form of nursing/milking will produce milk even in females that have never given birth.

Yep. I have a friend who adopted a baby and was actually able to nurse it, even though she hadn't given birth in many years.

 

[Hollywood Goats]

Very interesting! I have been "milking" my doeling to get her used to being touched, but I never got any milk!

 

[aggieterpkatie]

I wouldn't recommend actually trying to milk a doeling. Getting her on a stand and maybe rubbing or touching her teat area is fine, but actually trying to milk, out a teat is asking for trouble, IMO. I wouldn't want to risk a chance of a teat getting infected because of a plug getting removed or something.