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Barnyard Buddies:  Trouble milking--Help!!  |
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Brew Crew
True Blue Farmgirl
676 Posts
Molly
Arizona
676 Posts |
 Posted - Apr 30 2008 : 7:42:14 PM
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Well, the first 2 or so weeks went great! I had the kids separated from the mamas overnight, and then milked first thing in the morning. Kids back in with mama all day, then separated again at night. Great system! This way, I was getting about a gallon and a half every day, and the kids were nursing all they wanted during the day.
So, the last few days, the 'girls' have decided after giving about a cups worth that they are done! Kicking, jumping, leaning, stomping, pawing, you name it. Dirt, manure, hair, etc. in the milk, spilled milk (and yes, I cried over it...) and now after each battle I'm getting only about 1/2 gallon from both does (total, together!).
I've googled all I can, with no useful info to be found (that I haven't already tried). So, back I come to the professionals (YOU!!!). Ideas? Please help! I want this to be a pleasant experience for both me and the does!
Funny Farm ramblings http://happydalehobby.blogspot.com/ |
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Alee
True Blue Farmgirl
22941 Posts
Alee
Worland
Wy
USA
22941 Posts |
Posted - May 01 2008 : 08:57:49 AM
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Molly- How is their body condition looking? That is a lot of calories going out in milk- perhaps they need more feed? Also, is this the first time milking? Are you sure you are stripping out the udder when milking?
Do your does get grain when milking? Are they first time moms? Perhaps their udders just are sore from all the nursing/milking.
Alee
Farmgirl Sister #8
www.awarmheart.com
Please come visit Nora and me on our new blog:
www.farmgirlalee.blogspot.com |
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AmyEllen
True Blue Farmgirl
235 Posts
Amy
McPherson
Kansas
USA
235 Posts |
Posted - May 01 2008 : 09:54:35 AM
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I have a friend who is having this exact problem. This is their does first set of babies, and they let her hurse exclusivley for awhile then they started trying to milk, well that did not go well. Then they bought some hobbles again did not work well. SO now it takes two people to milk her. One to help hold her still and one to milk. Personally I would be tempted to just let her dry up, the kids are weaned, and try again next time. But they are more homestead geared. So the kinda need the milk. But the frustration and the ordeal all of this is.
Amy
My Blog
http://lifenkansas.blogspot.com/
Amore Schnauzers
http://amoreschnauzers.blogspot.com/ |
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Alee
True Blue Farmgirl
22941 Posts
Alee
Worland
Wy
USA
22941 Posts |
Posted - May 01 2008 : 10:21:39 AM
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At the ranch that I sometimes work out there are milk goats. We make sure they have PLENTY of either COB or goat grain to eat when we milk. It's the only time they get grain so they are usually very distracted and couldn't care less about being milked.
Alee
Farmgirl Sister #8
www.awarmheart.com
Please come visit Nora and me on our new blog:
www.farmgirlalee.blogspot.com |
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Brew Crew
True Blue Farmgirl
676 Posts
Molly
Arizona
676 Posts |
Posted - May 01 2008 : 4:45:34 PM
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Yes, the 'girls' are fed grain only at milking time, and a nice scoopful at that! And, when they are done, they get a nice animal cracker reward (just two, not enough to spoil their appetite!).
Funny Farm ramblings http://happydalehobby.blogspot.com/ |
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Aunt Jenny
True Blue Farmgirl
11381 Posts
Jenny
middle of
Utah
USA
11381 Posts |
Posted - May 01 2008 : 5:16:19 PM
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I always separated my kids after a couple weeks and bottle fed them...I was always milking twice a day. Could be partly that the kids are growing and using more milk too. I only gave mine grain and supplements when milking too. I never had a hard time milking them..but always milked them twice a day, even when they were with their kids the first couple weeks.
Jenny in Utah
Proud Farmgirl sister #24
Inside me there is a skinny woman crying to get out...but I can usually shut her up with cookies
http://www.auntjennysworld.blogspot.com/ visit my little online shop at www.auntjenny.etsy.com |
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marmieto12
True Blue Farmgirl
213 Posts
laura
utah
USA
213 Posts |
Posted - May 01 2008 : 5:48:38 PM
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Our 1st year doe was a little resistant towards the end of the milking too. We separated the kids (they are 2 mos old) and moved the milking stand away from the mama's view of the kids. We made a soft hobble (loose webbing around her ankles) so she would not kick. I was opposed but it is working great. I also lean into her to keep her stable. She jumps right up on the stand and milk as fast as my hands can go.
Yes plenty of COB while milking helps as well as we do not give her hay until she is done milking. Do not give up! Our girl is doing quite well now.
Laura;Dreaming of big girl farm...
Farmgirl # 148
http://lilsfamilyfarm.blogspot.com
Chapter http://justsimplythegirls.blogspot.com |
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Alee
True Blue Farmgirl
22941 Posts
Alee
Worland
Wy
USA
22941 Posts |
Posted - May 01 2008 : 6:26:01 PM
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Yup! I lean in-sometimes pretty hard to keep them still! Sometimes they like to dance but they are so smart and can't get away with kicking and struggling with the milk or you will have a battle every day until they realize you are serious about this milking thing. The ones on the ranch know milking=grain and after milking=yummy hay so they all crowd around the fence and try to rush the milk stand! LOL
Alee
Farmgirl Sister #8
www.awarmheart.com
Please come visit Nora and me on our new blog:
www.farmgirlalee.blogspot.com |
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Farm Girl 2
True Blue Farmgirl
108 Posts
Becky
Willis
VA
USA
108 Posts |
Posted - May 02 2008 : 12:09:51 PM
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The reason that I got on here today was to ask the same thing! I cannot believe everyone has as much trouble as I have been having. I am milking one doe, since April 16th. She is separated from her baby, gets grain only at milking time, milk in a clean save nonstressful environment, tried playing soft music, keep all other animals and people away (I mean no stressors).
I have milked cows all of my life and been kicked pretty darn hard but they were only mad at the first of the milking, Saphira gets mad in about the middle and does a dance and starts slinging legs and out goes the milk. Many tears have been cried. I made a really neat pair of hobbles did not work. I have had to resort to tieing 3 legs fairly tight to the sides of the stanchion and she gets mad at the same time during the milking but she can't do much kicking only stomping and can't get the milk. I hate soooo bad to have to do it but I am not going to dry her up.
I have pics of my stanchion on my blog and you can see the sides that I use to tie her to, I leave her right front leg free, tie her left front semi-tight and the back 2 I have to kinda spread out and go pretty tight with and she can't move too much or it will throw her off balance. My hubby designed and built the milk stand so I could sit down beside her and milk, but I have to stand often and take my left hand and place my thumb down in the crease in the front of her hind leg, I was told that throws them out of gear so they can't kick and it works along with 3 ropes.
I am almost embarresed to tell that I have to tie her up to milk her but she still loves me. I have seen all kind of contraptions in cow dairys to break a new heifer from kicking and I am not that cruel. The first few minutes is sooo peaceful and then Katie bar the door or someone is wearing milk home.
Good luck to all.
Loving Living Simply!
http://sunnymorningfarm.blogspot.com |
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marmieto12
True Blue Farmgirl
213 Posts
laura
utah
USA
213 Posts |
Posted - May 02 2008 : 1:35:57 PM
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Becky,
I love your pics of your place! It looks very peaceful and I can why you would want to be a "homebody".
The milk stanchion is similar to ours. DH "helped" me make ours. I was terrified of power tools..lol. I did mine for my merit.
Anyway, it seems we have some strong willed does...but we are farm girls and we win. It sounds like you are doing what it takes to subdue her. Just lean into her as you milk her, looks like you have plenty of support on the other side. It seems goats learn faster then cows, so maybe we won't have to hobble them for long.
I am with you on the restraints, but it is working.
Laura;Dreaming of big girl farm...
Farmgirl # 148
http://lilsfamilyfarm.blogspot.com
Chapter http://justsimplythegirls.blogspot.com |
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Brew Crew
True Blue Farmgirl
676 Posts
Molly
Arizona
676 Posts |
Posted - May 02 2008 : 4:19:30 PM
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Yes, Becky, a gorgeous place! What a beautiful property you have, so green and well kept.
Love Laura's comment, 'We are farm girls and we win.' It's so encouraging knowing I'm not doing any worse then some others, and that there are others crying over their spilled milk. ;)
Funny Farm ramblings http://happydalehobby.blogspot.com/ |
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Farm Girl 2
True Blue Farmgirl
108 Posts
Becky
Willis
VA
USA
108 Posts |
Posted - May 02 2008 : 5:37:56 PM
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Thanks ladies! It's a good camera I guess!!
Tonight's milking was a hoot. She was in a mood and I had to do the thumb in the flank thing. While I was milking my dh on the other side of the house, raised his winding tarp thing on the back of his dumptruck and it SHREEKED really load and Saphira just laid down. I grabbed the pail just in time. hahaha My dh said it probably broke her!!
Loving Living Simply!
http://sunnymorningfarm.blogspot.com |
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Aunt Jenny
True Blue Farmgirl
11381 Posts
Jenny
middle of
Utah
USA
11381 Posts |
Posted - May 02 2008 : 9:52:36 PM
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I loved seeing your pictures Becky....my goat milking stand (now used as a shearing stand for my sheep and angora goat) looks nearly identical to yours..just without the back posts.
I realize how lucky I have been with my goats and my cow...I havn't had any problem ever with the cow and not much but a little stomping with my goats when I had them. I have sure milked for other people who had hard to milk goats though. I have seen some funny contraptions to keep them from kicking..and your tying sounds very reasonable. As long as the goat knows you love her and she knows you seriously arn't going to give up she will probably calm down eventually.
I am sure missing milking while Mona the cow is dry right now.
Jenny in Utah
Proud Farmgirl sister #24
Inside me there is a skinny woman crying to get out...but I can usually shut her up with cookies
http://www.auntjennysworld.blogspot.com/ visit my little online shop at www.auntjenny.etsy.com |
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windypines
True Blue Farmgirl
4260 Posts
Michele
Bruce
Wisconsin
USA
4260 Posts |
Posted - May 03 2008 : 05:08:37 AM
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Becky your place is lovely. Too bad about the unruly goat. I have never milked goat, only cows. But I thought goats were smaller and easier to handle??? Molly and Becky would it help to have someone stand and brush or scratch her? Just a thought. Good luck
Michele |
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Brew Crew
True Blue Farmgirl
676 Posts
Molly
Arizona
676 Posts |
Posted - May 03 2008 : 07:07:08 AM
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Michele, your idea is great; I thought the same one, unfortunately as my daughter was petting and scratching, goat hair was falling into the milk pail....Maybe if I clipped them short. Not a bad idea, anyway, as it's getting hot already.
Becky, is there any improvement for you? We're hanging in there, I am just milking as fast as I possibly can to get as much as I can before they decide they are done!
Funny Farm ramblings http://happydalehobby.blogspot.com/ |
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Farm Girl 2
True Blue Farmgirl
108 Posts
Becky
Willis
VA
USA
108 Posts |
Posted - May 03 2008 : 2:46:59 PM
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Once again Thanks for the comments! I have found that anyone else in the barn makes her worse and I also would have the hair falling in the milk pail.
Molly, This am was another one handed milking, left hand up in her side and thumb pushed in her flank. When I am in that position and she wants to get started I just push in with more pressure and it leans her over and she can't lift her feet because she will fall over. I too milk as fast as my little hands will let me.
I have heard so many funny ideas from family and friends to try to help me out! LOL
Loving Living Simply!
http://sunnymorningfarm.blogspot.com |
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Farm Girl 2
True Blue Farmgirl
108 Posts
Becky
Willis
VA
USA
108 Posts |
Posted - May 05 2008 : 08:14:42 AM
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Getting better as time goes on. Still 3 legs restrained and she doesn't mind, she even places them in position for me to tie them now!!! I told you she loves me!! She only stomped once this morning.
Hope you girls are doing better too.
Loving Living Simply!
http://sunnymorningfarm.blogspot.com |
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Alee
True Blue Farmgirl
22941 Posts
Alee
Worland
Wy
USA
22941 Posts |
Posted - May 05 2008 : 08:39:33 AM
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I remember how sore I was when Nora started nursing- my body just had to get used to the process. Perhaps their udders were sore and now they are adjusting as well as the goat in general getting used to the process. I am so glad it is going better!
Alee
Farmgirl Sister #8
www.awarmheart.com
Please come visit Nora and me on our new blog:
www.farmgirlalee.blogspot.com |
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wooliespinner
True Blue Farmgirl
1311 Posts
Linda
Manchester
Ohio
1311 Posts |
Posted - May 05 2008 : 10:11:04 AM
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One thing I do when does start acting up like that is keep an extra bucket to pour the milk into. Everytime i would get about a cup of milk I would pour it into the pail by the milkstand so it was safe. That way if the doe starts kicking at least they can only ruin one cup at a time.
Another thought is check for mastitis. Sometimes they can have a slight case and thats enough for them to act up. I am sure you probably already checked that.
Otherwide good luck. Been down that road before. Its very frustraiting to say the least.
Linda
Each day is precious...take a few of those minutes for yourself. |
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Barnyard Buddies: Trouble milking--Help!! |
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Trouble milking--Help!!
