The Accidental Smallholder Forum
Livestock => Goats => Topic started by: nihicib2 on August 15, 2011, 02:27:34 pm
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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
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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.
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Is colostrum harmful for human consumption?
and congratulations to Madge :)
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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.
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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
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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! :)
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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!
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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.
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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
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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