Goat milking disaster

[lcountry]

:| Well, things went better tonight. She does have food on the stanchion, but she'd get so upset she wouldn't eat it. Tonight I was extra cautious all the way through and tried to observe what went well and what didn't.

One side was completely fine. The other side was good at first and then quickly got worse. It turns out I found a small little scab - about the size of a pencil eraser, but with the sides trimmed off. It's in a place that's impossible to miss touching.

I think she's ok at first, but then starts hurting as we go along.

So what can I do about that? Boy am I clueless!

Helmstead, thanks for the info about milking in the basement. I wasn't sure if it was better closer or further from the goats. And, glad to know there IS an adjustment time.

Thank you all!

 

[helmstead]

Two words: Bag Balm

 

[kstaven]

I just read through this and helmstead has hit the nail on the head in several places.

1) Bag Balm to keep the scab from getting too hard and keep the teats from chafing. We have a home brew here that actually works better in cold climate conditions, but off the rack it is hard to beat bag balm.

2) Wash the udder and teats with warm water before milking and she will let the milk down easier.

3) It is a new environment and she is testing to a degree. New place and milker. Likely a new schedule to.

No matter what anyone says. NO TWO PEOPLE MILK EXACTLY THE SAME WAY. Technique may be very close but pressure used and rhythm is different. Cows and goats get used to one exact way and it will take time a persistence to get them used to your way.

Losing your cool just makes them tense more and the milk flows slower. Making it more uncomfortable for the animal and harder on your hands.

Check around the teats for long hairs you may be pulling while milking. Nothing unusual to have to trim out some goats.

 

[MissPrissy]

When you put her on the milking stand make sure she has food to eat. This is when I feed my milking does. I feed twice a day with a caprine feed and sweet feed and alfalfa cubes. They only get this when I milk. Even my babies I will put on the milking stand and rub their udders while they eat so they get used to being handled.

Just last summer I was a first time goat milker. Here is what worked for me.

Don't let anyone eat until the are on the milking stand, head in position.

Take the time them to talk to her, pet her, scratch behind the ears and between the eyes. Run your hands down her back and sides. While you talk and croon to her take the time to wash her udders. Using warm water and a gentle massge she'll relax and start to let down her milk. Don't let her smell you getting anxious or nervous. Once you have washed and dried her udder get ready to milk.

Do everything the same every single day.

Give the feed to the doe and start milking ASAP.

Do everything the same every single day.

You have to create a routine for the two of you. Since you brought her to a new place this is new for BOTH of you.

Do everything the same every single day.

Do everything the same every single day.

To help with the stepping in the milk - you will get faster and your hands will get much stronger - try milking into a wide mouth quart jar. Take a rubber band and loosely secure a piece of cheese cloth over the opening to act as a strainer.

Do everything the same every single day.

Believe it or not you will get extremely good at this in a very short time. I have a friend who can milk into a coke bottle she uses to botle feed her babies.

Did I tell you?

Do everything the same every single day.

 

[Chatychick]

I agree with Helmstead there she is trying to see what you will let her get away with...I have a doe La Mancha and she is new to milking also. She will paw and step and everything she can think of. Dont lose you cool and do lean into her. If she is engorged when you start milking try only using half of the teat and with small squirts to relieve the pressure. then move up the teat long pulls or squeezes hurts on morning milkings. I take the pressure off them finish...If mine starts acting bad I dont let her get away with it. Dont hit her or slap her . just say NO and continue with the milking. They will try your patience believe me...If she gets away with it she wont forget it and keep trying more things. Nigis are alot easier than big goats sometimes. Also I try milking my Nigs from behind and it does better for them and my back. The bigger does I milk from the side. Also you can tie her feet or hobble her to teach her to stand also. Just some ideas that might work for you. And another lesson wont hurt either. Good luck

 

[Nupine]

I am having the same problems, I need angora goats.

 

[lcountry]

Thank you all. Bag Balm will be on the immediate shopping list this afternoon!

This morning was a bit tedious, but I didn't get frustrated. She's a sweet goat and has evidently forgiven me my temper the other day. She will willingly climb onto the stanchion. We've got a routine that is workable so I think I just need to stay with it. I think in trying to solve problems, I was creating more by changing things up. I'm going with the "every single day" mantra!

I got one side empty, but the side with the scab wasn't completely empty. This leads me to two questions - 1) how much danger is there of mastitis if she's isn't emptied each time on that side? And, 2) how many days of "not totally empty" can she take without production dropping? And, 3) even if production drops will it pick up again?

BYC is the greatest forum. I could have never made it through being a new chicken owner without you and now I couldn't make being a new goat owner without you!

Nupine - I'm with you - there definitely IS an attraction to angoras the past couple days!

 

[MissPrissy]

If you don't empty the udder when you milk she won't make as much milk the next time. Once those cells stop making milk they won't start again until she has been freshened and ready to kid again. You need to milk her out completely each time.

I know it is frustrating but you'll get the hang of it and so will she. Get some alfalfa cubes and keep them with you. When you milk her and she starts getting antsy before you finish give her a nibble. Don't make it predictable. You don't want to make a habit out of bad behavior looking for treats during milking.

I have an ointment the vet gave for the bag I'll have to look at the lable when I go out to the barn and let you know what it is. It is good stuff.