The Accidental Smallholder Forum
Livestock => Goats => Topic started by: reedos on February 12, 2012, 09:56:06 am
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And I don't know why!
She doesn't like being milked and tap dances on the milking stand, but was a friendly affectionate goat. Recently though she's become a right bugger to catch for milking and doesn't come for fuss like she used to.
Polly who is halfway through her pregnancy does seem to be bullying her a bit, she was always the dominant one but seems a little bit more aggressive with it now.
Anybody any ideas what's going on?
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Im still a real goat novice, so I cant really offer any sound advice, but I had the same problem with my Billy. He had always been the shy one and didnt want to be touched or approached, he'd just run away. Then he started to get friendly, even more than Toby. Then one day, he went back to his former self. I was so disheartened as it had taken loads of love and patience to get him to want to be cuddled.
I made the decision to let him get over it by himself. I didnt try to stroke him, I just talked to him.Slowly but surely, he got his confidence back and now he is first in line for a hug and stroke. It was the same with getting them in at night. If they wanted to punish me for something, they would just refuse to go into their house for no reason.
I think what Im trying to say is maybe she is just having a huff and a strop and knows that she can wind you up by misbehaving. Anyway, good luck with her, Im sure she'd soon coming running to you for milking if she was very full. It must be uncomfortable!!
Mary.
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Is she in season? Hormonal goats are skittish goats & won't be keen on your handling her intimate parts! ;)
Could she have mastitis?
are your hands cold?!
Or something has upset her,
rats in the shed?
Loud noise?
Visiting dogs / fox / strangers?
Have you changed the food? hay?
Is the water frozen, or too cold for her liking? Our girl has a way of letting us know if she's not satisified - she dances round at milking time, chuntering!
Is the weather unsettled where you are?
Just a few ideas, had some experience of cantankerous goats ... and they all have their "off days" just like us!
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She's likely to be hormonal - the Billy has paid a visit so with a bit of luck she's about a week or so pregnant. I did wonder if it was this that's unsettled her !
It is cold, the water keeps freezing over but I bring fresh warm water a couple of times a day, food is the same.
We think a fox has been around by the footprints in the snow - but hasn't gone into their paddock as far as we can tell.
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sounds like it's mostly Billy's fault then!
The milk may taste or smell a little different, kind of "goaty" (I know what I mean, even if nobody else does!)
She will hopefully settle down again, until she needs drying off before kidding.
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I would concur with the above, one of my GG's is impossible to milk when in season. It's ok with the machine, but stripping out by hand is an absolute no-no for about 24 to 48hours!
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Sounds like I've got off lightly with mine. Apart from the yield going down slightly, they are no different whether in season or not.