If you have them together at night, make sure Orion isn't nursing, as that will definitely reduce the amount you get in the morning.
What are you feeding? If you can add some alfalfa, that might up her production a bit.
For what it's worth, we also wait as long as possible to castrate for the reasons you mentioned. We do it around 6-7 weeks, especially with the dwarf goats who have smaller urethras to begin with. Another related note, wethers can have issues with urinary calculi, so high calcium feed like alfalfa isn't too good for him.
You're doing great! As tough as it is, I really think the way you did it—getting a doe in milk—is much easier in the long run than trying to train a first freshener.
On a sad note, we just had Daisy disbudded this morning. The vet came out to do it because I'm a total wuss when it comes to inflicting pain on an animal. He gave her a local anesthesia, and it wasn't nearly as bad as the goaties, whom I've stopped disbudding unless they are sold.
Polled animals are nice this way, though you can run into sterility issues with them. Just as an fyi, down the road thing, since you're castrating Orion anyway.
Danielle - Thanks! It is getting easier. They are together all the time but I usually get more in the morning than evening. I got 16 ounces this morning! But only got 9 last night. We'll see what tonight brings. She sleeps on top of her kennel where he can't reach her, so he may be sneaking sips during the day. She is get free choice hay, grain during milking with alfalfa pellets added in. I've started giving her a mid-day grain to try to up her nutrition. She isn't drinking a lot even though she has fresh water available at all times, so that could be affecting milk yield. Mostly, I think she just had to get used to a new place and a new milker.
Is this what they mean by biting off more than you can chew?
I'm learning to eat hay but most of it ends up on the ground.
24 comments:
he's darling Christy.
My 4 goats, and babies on the way in May, are Nigerian Dwarf Dairies.
How cute is he!
Christy
Yes, you're cute Orion...did you have to ask?? :) Don't eat those "tulips" now!
Hey Christy,
Both goats are just as cute as can be!
I know Logan is loving having them play with him.
They look big and healthy too.
Have a good day.
Pam
Not just cute, darn cute!
Oh stop it with the adorable photos!! Oh my!! What a sweetie pie!!
From snow..to Spring in only a week. Baby Goats will do that to ya.
Orien is adorable!
~Lisa
I'm so envious of all that green grass!! We still have feet of snow.
Hug that sweet little goat for me -my pygora girls are getting plumper everyday. I am so anxious to hug my own little cuties :)
Such cute pictures! I love the one where he looks like he is smelling the flowers.
Adorable!
Jennifer
OMG! I'm in love with them! How lucky to cuddle with the babies! Great Picture with the "tulips"! I'm just dying of envy! ;-)
Rachel
Deb - I'd like to get some Pygoras some day.
It is supposed to cool off again here. So maybe not quite spring yet.
Rachael - Wait until I post the pictures of Logan actually cuddling with Orion. They are too precious!
OMG!!! (dies!) He's so CUTE!!! (dies again!)
Oh what a sweetheart. Don't tell Luna I said so, but he's *almost* as cute as her. What a couple they would make! Goat dancing with the stars!! LOL!
Orion is just the cutest animal I've seen in a long time! :)
I'm so glad things are going better for you!! They are truly adorable, my friend!
Absolutely adorable!!
Too cute!
Oh yay! You got your goaties! They are adorable.
If you have them together at night, make sure Orion isn't nursing, as that will definitely reduce the amount you get in the morning.
What are you feeding? If you can add some alfalfa, that might up her production a bit.
For what it's worth, we also wait as long as possible to castrate for the reasons you mentioned. We do it around 6-7 weeks, especially with the dwarf goats who have smaller urethras to begin with. Another related note, wethers can have issues with urinary calculi, so high calcium feed like alfalfa isn't too good for him.
You're doing great! As tough as it is, I really think the way you did it—getting a doe in milk—is much easier in the long run than trying to train a first freshener.
On a sad note, we just had Daisy disbudded this morning. The vet came out to do it because I'm a total wuss when it comes to inflicting pain on an animal. He gave her a local anesthesia, and it wasn't nearly as bad as the goaties, whom I've stopped disbudding unless they are sold.
Polled animals are nice this way, though you can run into sterility issues with them. Just as an fyi, down the road thing, since you're castrating Orion anyway.
Danielle - Thanks! It is getting easier. They are together all the time but I usually get more in the morning than evening. I got 16 ounces this morning! But only got 9 last night. We'll see what tonight brings. She sleeps on top of her kennel where he can't reach her, so he may be sneaking sips during the day. She is get free choice hay, grain during milking with alfalfa pellets added in. I've started giving her a mid-day grain to try to up her nutrition. She isn't drinking a lot even though she has fresh water available at all times, so that could be affecting milk yield. Mostly, I think she just had to get used to a new place and a new milker.
Yes, his blue eyes are the cutest! He looks like he is having a great time at his new home.
Rhonda
OMG He is just the cutest thing on earth!!!
So cuteee!!!!
Smells like spring, tastes like...
Darling baby!! Congrats!
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