Author Topic: 5 month old kids develop udders (Read 2575 times)

detnol · « **on:** August 23, 2014, 07:24:29 pm »

Two of the 8 kids I kept this year have started to develop an udder - actually half an udder (both) and it really has milk in it. Has anyone ever seen this? They were born in March this year, different mothers bur same father.

Anke · « **Reply #1 on:** August 23, 2014, 07:30:53 pm »

Yep, I have got a BT kid that gives 0.8ltrs twice a week (born 11th March) - and I wouldn't milk her out if didn't have to, but the udder is definitely full and tight. Mine has now gone lop-sided and I only ease her one side out until soft. Other side has gone completely dry/back to what would be expected. She would have more milk if I stripped her out, but I as hoping she would go dry by now...

It is not that common, but does happen.

detnol · « **Reply #2 on:** August 23, 2014, 07:43:48 pm »

But why? Genetics? Food? Are they more promising milkers?

Anke · « **Reply #3 on:** August 23, 2014, 08:45:04 pm »

Milky background, good feeding, hopefully good genetics... a promising milker - I hope so!

ballingall · « **Reply #4 on:** August 24, 2014, 12:26:21 pm »

It would normally indicate a milky line- I would expect them to be heavy milkers once adults! You will have to watch next year, as it may be worse than this year (unless you are kidding them for next spring).

Beth

detnol · « **Reply #5 on:** August 25, 2014, 05:01:42 pm »

Quote from: ballingall on August 24, 2014, 12:26:21 pm

It would normally indicate a milky line- I would expect them to be heavy milkers once adults! You will have to watch next year, as it may be worse than this year (unless you are kidding them for next spring).

Beth

would you not kid them next year? I always do. any reasons not to?

ballingall · « **Reply #6 on:** August 25, 2014, 05:08:43 pm »

We wait and put our goats into kid when they are 18 months old, so they kid around the time they are 2. Kidding at only 1 year is quite early and can mean they are smaller animals and it may also mean they produce less milk (in that first year anyway, maybe not in years after that).

Our kids are born in March normally, put in kid the following year in October and kid in March 2 years after they are born.

It can be quite normal for a goatling (aged 1-2 years) to start producing milk in the summer, so if they start to develop an udder an only 5 months old, they are even more likely to do it at 15-16 months when the grass is at its peak and daylight longest.

Beth

Melmarsh · « **Reply #7 on:** August 25, 2014, 10:52:14 pm »

Quite often bred from milky parents, I have had several maiden milkers and a male with milk as well. Only milk if absolutely necessary and you may find that she stays lop sided unfortunately. It may pay you to stimulate he other side to try and even her up. As far as kidding kids go, as long as they have sufficient food they grow to their full potential, its a case of being confident enough to do it !!