[cheesylady]

Hi I am new to this very nice forum.  I have 2 Saanen x french alpine goats of about 4 years old. They have never been kidded and have been maiden milkers for 3 years.  This winter I decided that it was time to give their bodies a bit of a rest and one had developed a small cyst in her udder.  So I reduced them down to nothing.  Its spring now but I can't get their milk back up again.  I Have restarted milking once a day but am getting only a couple of tablespoonfuls from each.  I have done this process before with the Guernseys I had before without problem.  Has anybody got any advice or tips for me?  It has at least got rid of the cyst.
All help gratefully received!

[Lesley Silvester]

Plums is the one who knows about maiden milkers. I'm sure she will be along soon.

[ballingall]

Their milk should start to come in as the daylight gets longer. Have you tried increasing their food a little? The only other thing I would suggest is trying to milk them twice a day. You might only get a teaspoon full, but milking them more frequently should help the milk to come in.


Are you sure they aren't having a false pregnancy at all?


Beth

[plumseverywhere]

Our maiden is sannenX too (and we believe with alpine!)   each spring her udder has just increased in size and once its looking 'full' I've milked her, only half a pint/pint to start but it has increased up to 9 pints a day.  Are they grazing?  I think savannah's milk increases as the grass has a sudden spurt - despite being browsers, my goats seem to love grazing too 

[cheesylady]

Thanks for those tips.  Yes they are grazing a bit but prefer browsing.  The grass has been growing like crazy for the last 3 weeks, so I was hoping to see a bit of an improvement by now.  I will start milking twice a day and see if that helps.  I am pretty sure they are not having phantom pregnancies but I will keep an eye on them.  Their rations are what they usually are for this time of year.  Do you think I need to boost them more because they have been resting?  They have benefited from their rest and look in really good condition.
They have never given the amount Savannah has.  They usually go up to about 2 litres a day each when milked X2/day.  I guess that's a bout 4 pints each/day.

[cheesylady]

Well, I have tried all the advice and everything I can think of but the girls are not giving much at all this year.  I am getting about 500ml/day;  Last year they were giving 4 pints a day so I guess there won't be much cheese this year!
Any more tips?