The Goat Spot Forum banner

FF & stillborn preemie milking question

674 Views 8 Replies 4 Participants Last post by  Nommie Bringeruvda Noms
Last Saturday (4/16), my 2yrd old FF Nigora doe delivered 5 or 6wks early - breach/ stillborn, and came a bit too close to losing her, too. I started milking the next evening (I didn't have anything ready, yet, ugh), but now - a full week later - I'm still only getting about 3 - 3.5oz, per day, milking 2x/day. She's a tiny little thing, tiny udders, and 2-finger teats. I've saved this first week's colostrum & milk, bagged, tagged, labeled, and frozen, just in case we have any problems with my other does, next month.

So, my question is am I expecting too much of her little body, as far as production, after such an early birth? Or, am I just expecting it too soon? One side is definitely filler, and giving more - as in the wimpy one is giving maybe a tablespoon to each ounce from the other one, but there's no unusual heat, she doesn't seem uncomfortable, at all, and it's taking too milking remarkably easy, as far as behaviorally. When I first start on the flyer one, she picks up her foot, but as soon as I get a little out, she sets it down, and has no more issues. It's almost like she's offering me easier access, to get the pressure eased, from the fuller (?) udder.
Tyia!!
1 - 9 of 9 Posts
With how early she delivered, she may not come into full milk. You can certainly keep milking and see if she possibly comes into full milk.
  • Like
Reactions: 5
3
Just milked, again & got pics. Forgive the fuzzy udder, as said, she was way early, and I wasn't prepared - and I do tend to let her incredible coat stay on, until it starts to naturally blow, because the fiber has a much longer staple length, that way. That's one of the reasons I push the breeding schedule so late into spring, too - hoping they'll blow coat, before they kid.
Working animal Ear Fawn Goat Snout
Working animal Terrestrial animal Pack animal Snout Livestock
Liver Dog breed Eyelash Wood Snout
See less See more
  • Like
Reactions: 1
With how early she delivered, she may not come into full milk. You can certainly keep milking and see if she possibly comes into full milk.
That's kinda what I was afraid of. There wasn't much colostrum, either.
  • Like
Reactions: 1
It could also be since she half Angora? Pygora? that she isn’t producing as much. But like Ksalvagno said, she may pick up production as she gets closer to the time when she should have kidded.
  • Like
Reactions: 2
She's F2 Nigora, 67% Nigerian Dwarf - bred for top quantity/quality of milk and beautiful fiber. I'm working/genetic selecting (along with other like-minded folks) toward both high standards and full breed registration. Some are closing in on F4, with the F6 goal, sans line breeding - which is why it's taking so long. That's a big part of why this milking matters. Being a FF, I was hoping to see where she stands, as far as chances to earn her milking stars. Since I have things going on this fall, I can't re-breed for this year.

But, her kid coming so early... I had a feeling. I'll keep trying for another week or two, and see. Thank you🙂
  • Like
Reactions: 2
You wouldn't want to breed her back quick anyway. Hopefully her milk will pick up.
  • Like
  • Love
Reactions: 4
I agree ☝
  • Love
Reactions: 1
Thank you, both! Someone had mentioned doing it, elsewhere, but my instincts said no, plus we have an out of state daughter's wedding in October, and I'm planning to dry off all my girls, before then. But, sometimes it's hard to argue, with 'instinct' or 'spidey senses' as a primary reason. My thought is that it might be too hard on her. She's my favorite, and my heart broke, when her first baby didn't even make it to term. With the extra attention of milking, she seems to be bouncing back, but seemed to be rather confused, and... grieving. I mean... she seemed fine, physically, but just not herself.

I'll see what I can do about getting my other girls their stars, this year, and work on hers, next year, and just spoil her with lots of love, in the meantime. She's such a sweet, affectionate, smart, funny girl, and I love her, dearly.
Thank you, again - y'all rock!
  • Like
Reactions: 3
1 - 9 of 9 Posts
This is an older thread, you may not receive a response, and could be reviving an old thread. Please consider creating a new thread.
Top