Milking a doe who lost her kid (baby passed away this morning)

930 Views 14 Replies 5 Participants Last post by toth boer goats, Dec 24, 2021

Cait

Discussion Starter · Dec 23, 2021

One of our does had a kid last night, I got to the barn this morning to find the newborn just outside the gate of her mama's pen and barely alive. I immediately got her warming up and then tried to get her to eat but she didn't make it. I'm heartbroken and I take full responsibility for this. We honestly didn't even know the Doe was pregnant, we got her mid July so she was either pregnant when we got her or got bred as soon as she arrived.

What is the best course of action for our doe?

She is a Nigerian Dwarf Goat and we use them for dairy. I'm planning to milk her and freeze the colostrum for now.

Will we be able to keep milking her? Is that even a good idea? And how often will I have to milk?

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Jubillee

· #2 · Dec 23, 2021

I'm so sorry about the baby. If that happens again, put baby in a plastic bag and into a sink of hot water to warm them back up quickly. Checking their temp often. They need to be over 100 degrees before they can attempt to eat. Don't beat yourself up, things happen.

I just had a doe miscarry with 1 month left back in November. We milked her like normal. She was a bit low in the beginning and has picked up beautifully. I froze her colostrum as well.

Reactions: 3

Cait

Discussion Starter · #3 · Dec 23, 2021

Jubillee said:
I'm so sorry about the baby. If that happens again, put baby in a plastic bag and into a sink of hot water to warm them back up quickly. Checking their temp often. They need to be over 100 degrees before they can attempt to eat. Don't beat yourself up, things happen.

I just had a doe miscarry with 1 month left back in November. We milked her like normal. She was a bit low in the beginning and has picked up beautifully. I froze her colostrum as well.

Thanks. I read about the water method after, good to know you recommend it too.

Any tips on increasing their supply? We have another Doe with 3 month old twins (who still nurse often) we'd like to start milking her too. I had a baby of my own so we haven't been milking her regularly.

Jubillee

· #4 · Dec 23, 2021

Lots of alfalfa! You can increase (slowly) until she doesn't increase in production anymore. I feed mine oats and boss on the stand with a little calf manna on top. Plus alfalfa out in the pen. Give her a couple of weeks, but if she had her baby normally, her milk should come in fine if you are milking regularly. Mine miscarried early so hers came in slow due to hormones. You have to milk her regular, twice a day (or if you are only doing once a day, then that). If you miss them, the production can go down.

Reactions: 2

happybleats

· #5 · Dec 23, 2021

Good advice. Sorry you lost baby

Reactions: 1

Cait

Discussion Starter · #6 · Dec 23, 2021

Jubillee said:
Lots of alfalfa! You can increase (slowly) until she doesn't increase in production anymore. I feed mine oats and boss on the stand with a little calf manna on top. Plus alfalfa out in the pen. Give her a couple of weeks, but if she had her baby normally, her milk should come in fine if you are milking regularly. Mine miscarried early so hers came in slow due to hormones. You have to milk her regular, twice a day (or if you are only doing once a day, then that). If you miss them, the production can go down.

Thanks! They get alfalfa pellets and oats on the stand, their hay has some alfalfa in it too.

So i just tried milking her and... nothing. I tried earlier too when I was trying to get food for her kid but didn't get a single drop either time. I know her true milk won't come in for a bit but I was expecting at least a little colostrum to come out

Reactions: 1

Damfino

· #7 · Dec 23, 2021

Sorry you lost the kid. That's always heartbreaking.

Reactions: 1

happybleats

· #8 · Dec 23, 2021

Cait said:
know her true milk won't come in for a bit but I was expecting at least a little colostrum to come out

Some times they hold their milk. Just keep trying. Maybe a warm compresses snd gentle massage will help her relax and let her milk down.

Reactions: 3

Cait

Discussion Starter · #9 · Dec 24, 2021

happybleats said:
Some times they hold their milk. Just keep trying. Maybe a warm compresses snd gentle massage will help her relax and let her milk down.

Will try this, going out to do night feed now

Reactions: 1

Jubillee

· #10 · Dec 24, 2021

Yep, wipe her down with a warm rag giving her a massage, you can even put a little peppermint oil on it. Is it hard at all? Also check to see if her teats are plugged, you have to get that out and they'll milk better.

Reactions: 2

Cait

Discussion Starter · #11 · Dec 24, 2021

Thanks everyone! I got her colostrum flowing last night and milked her again this morning. She had had enough after a while this morning so I think I'll try to go again this afternoon and do a little more

Reactions: 2

happybleats

· #12 · Dec 24, 2021

Good job!!

Reactions: 2

Cait

Discussion Starter · #13 · Dec 24, 2021

Follow up question for you wise people, at what point can we drink her milk? Normally I wouldn't start milking until 2 weeks after birth so the babies get the colostrum but since she lost her kid, when would you start drinking the milk?

happybleats

· #14 · Dec 24, 2021

Start tasting the milk after 3 or 4 days of milking to see if colostrum is done. Once milk is sweet and creamy. Your good to go.

Reactions: 1

toth boer goats

· #15 · Dec 24, 2021

Good advice and good work.

Sorry for your loss.

Reactions: 1

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