Skipper (the black nubian goat in my avatar) kidded last week. She had a buck and a doe (Miguel and Maya). They are doing well and weighed in at 10 and 11 pounds. With this kidding I got to have a learning experience. Skipper's udder was huge, in fact, the teats were the size of small sweet potatoes. I wasn't sure what to do as they were also full of knots. I thought at first that she had mastitis, but after examining her realized it wasn't. She had no fever and the milk wasn't stringy. I massaged her udder with peppermint extract and milked her out 3 times a day until the knots dissappeared and her teats and udder returned to normal (about 3-4 days). (I read about milking them 3 times a day from an old Feed book from the 1950's) Fortunately, this worked and we did not have to use antibiotics or garlic as she never developed an infection.
Currently, I am letting her raise these babies as I knew that I needed their help in getting all of that milk out so she wouldn't end up with mastitis. I am still milking out 1 quart of milk from her both evenings and mornings with the kids staying with her all day and night. Tonight, I will separate the kids and milk her in the mornings only letting the kids out with her during the day. I had not intended to do once a day milking with her, but due to these circumstances it is what worked out best for her. I could still put the babies on bottles, but after a week it is much harder to convince the kids to take a bottle and heartbreaking to see Skipper cry for her babies all day. I'm glad to say she is being a really good mother and it will be nice to only bottle feed Mary and Martha. Speaking of the girls, they are fat and sassy, drinking an entire gallon of milk a day between the two of them. I have high hopes that they will be future milkers like their mother. If all goes well, I will put them up for sale next year after they freshen. Now that Skipper has kidded I may even have enough extra milk for Mr. C to get a glass of milk with his breakfast. He will be so happy.
It's been a busy couple of weeks at the farm, but I hope to spend some time this weekend getting some photos up of the new kids, garden, trees, etc.
Blessings,
Mrs. P
Comments
Wednesday, April 16, 2008 - Goats
Posted by Mama
Hi! Thank you so much for posting your recipe! I will add you to my friends list . You have alot of wisdom to share about goats! With me just starting out I love to talk to people who have done it awhile!
I will put this recipe in my files! YOu seem to have alot in common with me!
Enjoy theh Day the Lord has made!
Mama