The Accidental Smallholder Forum

Livestock => Goats => Topic started by: c day on May 21, 2010, 09:36:25 pm

Title: how many times a day to milk
Post by: c day on May 21, 2010, 09:36:25 pm
hello, just wondering how many times a day to milk our goats could we get away with once a day, we were doing it twice a day last year but the farm has expanded and we dont have the same amount of time. so we are hoping every evening would be enough.
Title: Re: how many times a day to milk
Post by: little blue on May 21, 2010, 09:48:31 pm
our goat doesnt appreciate twice a day milking - we did her evening time as she got very stroppy if done more.
But when we had her she had just kidded so could be that she got us and herself into a more comfortable routine!

It will depend as well on how high a milk yield they give - it could make them very uncomfortable of they are heavy milkers and lead to other (or udder !) problems
  and the change in routine could be difficult, goats can be abit rigid...
Title: Re: how many times a day to milk
Post by: Hermit on May 21, 2010, 11:26:27 pm
I milk mine every morning but sometimes she is full at night so I milk her again. I just watch the udder. She has not kidded this year and is still milking well.
Title: Re: how many times a day to milk
Post by: ballingall on May 21, 2010, 11:29:39 pm
Have your goats kidded again this year, or are they still milking on from last year?

If she has kidded this year, then personally, I would either, milk her twice a day, or leave the kids on her and just strip her out once a day. If she is still milking on since last year, then depending on how much milk she is giving, you could probably drop her down to once a day.

Hope that helps.

Beth
Title: Re: how many times a day to milk
Post by: misspiggy on May 22, 2010, 10:26:17 pm
It will depend on the breed of your goat.  I have Golden Guernsey Goats, and they are  dairy goat.  We have one nanny who when she last kidded that triplets which she fed herself, and she still needed milked twice a day!!

you will soon get to know your goats, and you'll be able to tell by her bag if she needs milked.

Hope this helps
 :goat:
Title: Re: how many times a day to milk
Post by: langdon on May 26, 2010, 09:02:51 pm
oi thats my picture!
i use that one all the time :(
langdon ;D :goat:
p.s. find your own!!!! only joking ;D