It's SOOOOOO cold outside right now that I haven't clipped Cinammon's and Hallie's udders yet. The temps are bouncing around from the 60s to below freezing at night. When should I clip the hair on their udders? They are day 118 right now, due on Feb 4. I don't want them being too chilly. Is it ok to clip now? Angie
I have to laugh, becuase I was thinking the same thing, then I realized, your in NORTH CAROLINA and we are in MASS. HUGE difference! (For example tomorrow night, the low is 5, yep 5!) I dont think your does are going to be harmed by clipping their udders (dont do a show clip though, it doesnt need to be that close) I would wait until like a week and a half to two weeks before she kids.
I've done all of mine already. I only clip their udders and just around the edges of the vulva, tail, etc...to keep it cleaner when they kid. You can see on my Preggers Bellies post...
I didn't clip Xcell last year and she stayed pretty clean. I also couldn't clip her last year because she was so wild! :slapfloor: Don't know if I will clip Dorcas or not, but everyone else will be clipped since it should be warmer when they kid. 5F is just too cold!
Last year was the first time I ever clipped udders...and Iwaited til the week they were ue because all my kids were born btween end of January to mid February. I did it because it did work out to be easier to keep mom clean and when I started milking them I didn't care to be pulling their hair as I pulled on a teat..lol
i usually shave udders a week prior in warm times when its cold though ( though nowhere near as cold as you guys) i use thinning shears for dog grooming( you can get a fairly decent pair at petsmart for like 8 bucks) it trims longer hairs and such.. but it doesn't expose the skin.. works great
I tend to do mine between days 140-145. But mine aren't due till the beginning of March. However, I'd do it most any time of year though.
Re: Clipping hair on udders? Cinammon and Hallie day 119 HAHA! I know it's nowhere near as cold here as up north, but it does keep dipping--occasionally--down into the teens. That's still pretty darn chilly--enough that I wouldn't want my *chest* exposed :shocked: HAHAHA! :ROFL: But I guess since the goats are outdoors 24/7 they are probably acclimated a lot better than I would be. Thanks for all of the advice! I definitely wanted to clip so I can see udders and milk more easily, as well as keep things cleaner during delivery. I just wasn't sure whether or not I was clipping tooooooo soon. I'll wait until about a week before. Say, about day 140 or so. :stars: