Goat udder...too big?

[freerangefreaks]

Was she bred to a nubian? The babes look like a different breed. Just wondering. They are sooo cute

Thanks! My buck is mostly Nubian. I wasn't really wanting a buck but he just happened. He is a very nice boy and his babies look just like him except he is white with little black spots all over.

Try messaging her udder with a peppermint udder cream. Or you can mix Bag Balm, udder butter, or some other udder cream with peppermint oil. That usually cuts down on edema. It works well on my cows when they have edema. Plus it gets warm and I think they really like it.

I couldn't find anything peppermint but I do have bag balm. I tried while she is lying down but it didn't go well. So far I really haven't been able to get her down to were the babies can nurse on their own. My husband will be home before the next feeding at 6pm and then I will really be able to milk her out.

Thanks again, not only for the great advise but for support and the feeling that I'm not alone.​

 

[Sammysmom]

Regarding the one kid's eye, check to see if either of the eyelids are turned inward. The condition is called entropion and can cause watery eyes and eventually scratch the cornea.

P.S. Adorable babies!!

 

[username taken]

Right, first things first.

#1. Dont worry, I've seen bigger udders. This one is not too bad, a little weak in the attachments and that adds to why it is so large. huge capacity in this doe. But the important thing is, she has good shaped teats which will allow the kids to suckle just fine

#2. Several reasons why the kids may have difficulty suckling. Firstly, kids are programmed to seek darm and warm, and move upwards, so they end up looking up where the doe's leg meets the body. This is an instinct from before goats were selectively bred for milk production, the udder would have been tiny (but produced plenty of milk) and way up there. So they have difficulty overcoming this natural urge. Secondly, with mum this full, the teats will be hard and they tend to get a bit colder than normal, which kiddos dont like to put in their mouth. Also, mum might not stand real still because she's so full she's uncomfortable. And to add to it, the udder is so full when they attach on sometimes the milk flow is so fast they can be a little overwhelmed, maybe even choke a bit, so it deters them.

#3. What you need to do: go out there and milk her out, completely. And I mean completely. Now if she's gonna be a brat about it, tie her up by a collar and tie a rope around her belly, just in front of the udder, tie this to the fence and hoist her up so she cant sit down. She needs to learn to behave while milking. If you need to, tie a leg back also, so she doesnt kick. Milk her out until there is nothing left, but dont 'bump' her for more milk ... let her hold that last bit back for the kids.

#4. Put the kids on her, after you've emptied her. The teats will be much nicer in their mouths, and if she has anywhere the sort of yield that she looks to have, she will still have plenty of milk for them. At this age they only need small feeds. Let them have a drink - sounds like they are getting the hang of it with your help.

#5. Do this three times a day; as the kids get stronger suckers, you can leave more milk in the udder for them, and after a few days they should be able to attach themselves after you've milked her. Depending on your plans for the doe, and the doe herself, you may be able to slowly slowly (I mean over a couple weeks) stop milking her, and let her adjust to just the kids feeding, but some high producing does need to be milked throughout, the kids just dont take enough. So bear that in mind.

#6. Dont bottle feed them unless they are getting weak and hungry from not getting enough from the doe - the reason I say this is that if you satisfy their hunger from the bottle, they wont have any inclination to try the udder, and you want them to try the udder as much as possible.

Good luck with them, and keep us updated! I have to go out now and feed my ten bottle babies ... gaah! That is a chore and a half lol

 

[citrusdreams]

Quote:
Exactly

That's what I wanted to say but was too scared I'd get flamed for being mean to the doe, but yep...that's how it'll probably have to be done.

Now, try it with a cow

 

[username taken]

lol been there, done that with cows many many times. Not fun

 

[freerangefreaks]

Update:

I milked her out last night and then again this morning. It takes me about 45min to finish. After I can't get anything more out of her, her teats are kind of shriveled (for lack of better description). Although her teats are nice Her udder is still low and swollen. For anybody who is new at this like me, it is difficult to get milk out at first because things are so swollen it's hard to get a good grip. But once you get past a certain point the milk starts to flow well. I did have to tie her to keep her standing. But for the most part she's a good, quiet and patient girl.

Babies are good. They are up and trying to play. I will try to get a picture when the lighting is better today.

Regarding the one kid's eye, check to see if either of the eyelids are turned inward. The condition is called entropion and can cause watery eyes and eventually scratch the cornea.

I've been trying to get a closer look but it seems that the lid is inflamed not turned in. I have a call in to my vet.​

 

[username taken]

that all sounds normal, not a fantastically conformed udder, but functional enough. dont worry, the milking will get easier

 

[citrusdreams]

No, it's not because you're new, you're doing a great job!

I'm no milking maiden and I've had udders so edemous that I had to massage and bump udders to death to get milk out, with another person helping too.

Sometimes that happens, and it should get better. I wish you had some peppermint oil, it would make things a bit easier for you. Just keep rubbin and bumpin