The Accidental Smallholder Forum

Livestock => Goats => Topic started by: nihicib2 on August 15, 2011, 02:27:34 pm

Title: Ok to use the milk?
Post by: nihicib2 on August 15, 2011, 02:27:34 pm
I apologise in advance if this is a silly question, our Nubian Madge kidded last week, a lovely healthy boy, however he is only suckling from one side, and seems to be full of beans so it must be enough for him,  so to avoid mastitis I am milking her other teat, I am almost sure that we can use this milk ourselves but I just wanted to check with ye more knowledgable people if it is ok to drink the milk so soon after kidding (she kidded on fri morning). 

Thanks in advance

 :goat:

Bríd
Title: Re: Ok to use the milk?
Post by: wytsend on August 15, 2011, 02:52:25 pm
Absolutely... shouldn't be any traces of colostrum now.

You can test it by putting a small amount in a saucepan and heating it fairly hot.   If any colustrum remains, it will curdle.

Colostrum has usually gone by the 4th day but as you have been milking her out, it will have long gone.
Title: Re: Ok to use the milk?
Post by: plumseverywhere on August 15, 2011, 04:43:14 pm
Is colostrum harmful for human consumption? 

and congratulations to Madge  :)
Title: Re: Ok to use the milk?
Post by: wytsend on August 15, 2011, 06:25:29 pm
Oh no.... it is often used for a pudding. Colostrum nor more than 12 hours old is used for a pudding called Beestings.  Very old recipe.
Title: Re: Ok to use the milk?
Post by: nihicib2 on August 15, 2011, 06:58:01 pm
Thanks a mill, will use the milk from tomorrow onwards yippee,  another quick question, Madge has a tiny bit of blood coming out after she gave birth, nothing major, her temp is fine and she's eating like a horse, it's kinda like spotting would this be normal?

Bríd
Title: Re: Ok to use the milk?
Post by: plumseverywhere on August 15, 2011, 07:36:39 pm
Oh no.... it is often used for a pudding. Colostrum nor more than 12 hours old is used for a pudding called Beestings.  Very old recipe.
Ah brilliant. I have heard F.O. talk about beestings, now I know what it means!  :)
Title: Re: Ok to use the milk?
Post by: little blue on August 15, 2011, 08:24:57 pm
Thanks a mill, will use the milk from tomorrow onwards yippee,  another quick question, Madge has a tiny bit of blood coming out after she gave birth, nothing major, her temp is fine and she's eating like a horse, it's kinda like spotting would this be normal?

Bríd

yes, goats can dribble blood for quite a while. Don't worry

The milk may taste a little "goaty", if you're sensitive (like me!) especially if in tea etc. Just a sprinkle of sugar will take it away.
I reckon it took about 2 weeks after our girl kidded until it tasted ok to me.  My husband drank it straight, straight away!
Title: Re: Ok to use the milk?
Post by: Hopewell on August 15, 2011, 11:36:52 pm
Madge has a tiny bit of blood coming out after she gave birth, nothing major, her temp is fine and she's eating like a horse, it's kinda like spotting would this be normal?
Perfectly normal - technically the discharge is called lochia.
Title: Re: Ok to use the milk?
Post by: nihicib2 on August 16, 2011, 09:20:45 am
Thanks all, as always the best place to come for advice, going out now to milk Madge along with the others, windy and rainy Donegal, where's our summer boo hoo

Bríd
Title: Re: Ok to use the milk?
Post by: ballingall on August 18, 2011, 11:03:24 pm
They can still produce a little bloody discharge for up to 3 weeks after kidding. But if the discharge is a dark colour or smelly, they need antibiotics.


Beth