Couple of milk goat questions

[Meesh]

Ok, I found a registered nubian doe, 2 years old, lost her first kid few weeks ago, and is still somewhat in milk.

Is it a common to lose the first kid? I don't know why yet, wanted to be there to ask the breeder in person. Is it a bad sign for future breeding? This person is trying to breed dwarf nubians, and I think is culling this doe from her breeding stock. Again, I don't know why yet - but I will ask.

Second - will she still give me some milk for a while? I thought about buying her as a learning milker project. She's not super expensive ($125) & has been hand milked.

Third - or could I put a bottle goat on her? There are some Saanens (which are about my favorite), but they are bottle babies at another place. It would be really nice if I could put a bottle kid on her. Will goats come back into milk if a kid is on them?

I am going to look at Dexters in a few minutes, and then perhaps goats tomorrow or Monday.

Fun!

Thanks!!!!
Michelle

 

[Chirpy]

I'm too new to goats myself to answer your questions but I can certainly suggest that you also go to one of the great goat sites for help.

thegoatspot.net

goattalk.com

Good luck...

 

[penelope77]

if she is still in milk there is no reason why you couldn't increase her milk by milking her twice a day. feed her really well. it's not uncommon for someone to sell something when they are changing their herd to something else. just get a good history on her and look her over really well. lately i've been hearing of people getting milk from their does well into past a year without breeding. the supply does drop off some but it is possible. i can't really tell ya much about the other stuff. a good place to go is http://fiascofarm.com/ there is a ton of info there about everything concerning goats.