Author Topic: Teat sharing (Read 3324 times)

ScotsGirl · « **on:** March 01, 2013, 07:47:57 pm »

I have read in many posts that kids tend to have a side each and stick to it. My two kids seem to be sharing one side and the other seems fit to burst. This morning I took about 150ml off but my technique needs improving! She is a dairy goat so presumably will have plenty of milk.

My question is how much should I take off, if at all? I bought her knowing she had a lopsided udder and the one side needs keeping an eye on and milking more than other.

sokel · « **Reply #1 on:** March 01, 2013, 11:01:54 pm »

Can you not latch the kids onto the full side if you cant manage to milk her ?
Is she a full dairy or dairy/Boer cross ? When Cherry one of our Toggs kidded she had so much milk we where taking 1 1/2 pints off her morning and night because the kids where not taking enough from her

ScotsGirl · « **Reply #2 on:** March 02, 2013, 09:15:22 am »

I tried but teat is nearly touching ground! I will keep trying although they seem quite happy. Mum still very sore as needed vet assistance to deliver, beyond my capabilities. I think she is full dairy. Bought her at cull value (supposedly!) so I could have milking practice.

colliewoman · « **Reply #3 on:** March 02, 2013, 05:00:26 pm »

Do you intend to milk her for the house at any point?
If so I would strip the ignored quarter completely and so long as no mastitis present I would start using it

If you don't want to milk her as a dairy animal then you could probably get away with just easing the udder out. But I would feel happier knowing it was fully emptied if she were mine

ScotsGirl · « **Reply #4 on:** March 02, 2013, 06:42:43 pm »

I do intend to take milk for home use. Previous owner recommended not taking too much, if any, to allow kids maximum food. Currently freezing the little I have as got some lambs due which may need it

Azzdodd · « **Reply #5 on:** March 03, 2013, 12:00:27 pm »

I had this problem with my nanny last year I didn't have the time to milk her day an night. So I rang the vet they gave me an injection for the one test I had to strip her out and inject her then the kids started to use the disgarded teat

jaykay · « **Reply #6 on:** March 03, 2013, 10:01:07 pm »

It took me about a week of moving one dozy little boy to the other side before he got the idea that he'd get more to eat if he took his own side instead of competing with his brother. It worked in the end

Hatty · « **Reply #7 on:** March 06, 2013, 07:21:29 pm »

I have an AN with a single kid, she will only let him feed from one side, She kicks him away from the other one every time
I strip the other side every morning and evening getting about a pint and a half each time, not bad to say she had no udder at all when she kidded