I started a new job as a farm hand a few months ago (a place open to the public rather than a commercial business, like a giant petting zoo!) and although I have a degree in animal science, this is my first taste of practical experience with many of these species since I was a small child, so there's lots I don't know!!
Our two milking goats Thelma (a Saanen x Toggenburg) and Louise (a Nubian mix) left the public barn a week or two ago to dry off, and the barn they are in now is directly across from the muck heap. Whenever I go to empty wheelbarrows they run up towards me bleating, but I've noticed that both of their udders are starting to darken, turning a bruised-black colour. I thought drying off was supposed to be a gradual process, but these two went directly from being milked twice a day to not at all when they left the public barn. Should I be worried for their health, or is this darkening of the udder normal?
Thanks