When to start milking?

[Farmingscots]

I’d love to know when you started to milk your mama animal. We are just starting out with our own dairy goat (Nubian) and Dexter cow. They are both first freshenings and get lots of hands on contact with us humans. They are pregnant and will hopefully deliver this spring!
So, let me learn from your experience please!
A) right after birth to stimulate lactation, improve access to colostrum for baby, and general bonding and health reasons.
B) a few days after birth - after baby has had colostrum
C) later, no rush, because baby is nursing so there’s no issue
D) some other timing/reason I have not mentioned

 

[Baymule]

@rachels.haven
@farmerjan

 

[frustratedearthmother]

So, let me learn from your experience please!

I milk goats - not cows.

I guess I fit "C."

I like to milk share with the kids. I generally wait about 3 weeks to start. That way, mom is over her baby crazies and is a little more relaxed about me stealing some milk. If I don't need milk - baby(ies) can have it all.

I generally will milk some colostrum from a heavy producing doe after the babies have nursed well. I like to keep some in the freezer - just in case it's needed.

Good luck

 

[rachels.haven]

I milk my goats out with in 12 hours of kidding and milk/grain 2x daily from then on out even if i leave kids on them. We drink the milk as soon as its palatable. Kids get topped up on colostrum from a bottle from the first milking and the rest gets prepared, packaged and saved for emergencies later.

 

[canesisters]

Jersey X angus cow
I verify that the calf is nursing within a couple hours of birth. Then milk about 24hrs after. I'll freeze colostrum for 'just in case'.
I'll milk 2x a day for at least 2 months while the calf has unrestricted access to her.
This time around, I'm planning to put the calf in a stall at night after the first couple of months & milk in the morning. I like having the option to skip milking if necessary by having the calf available.