I am so tired of staring at goat butts!

I have a first freshener that kidded yesterday afternoon. Nina had a single buck and since he was not spoken for, he was destined to go to the slaughter house. I did not wish to bottle feed him-I would let him be dam raised. She cleaned him off, talks to him, nudges him, protects him, but won't let him nurse. So, I've been bottling him. Since then, I've made arrangements for someone to take him for a petting zoo so I don't have to worry about raising him. He will be wethered.

We've had Nina for 6 months and she came to us from a breeder that has little to none human contact with his herd. So, she was pretty wild. She's gotten much better in the 6 months that we've had her but she's still wary. For the past week or so I would drag her up to the milk stand, let her eat and just keep touching her. She had not calmed down one bit! Sit, kick, cha-cha-cha. I need advice to help Nina get used to us milking her. Thanks

-- Charleen with Obies in WNY (nolongerpublic@usa.com), March 14, 2002

Answers

Dallas was a triplet that was born 2 weeks early. With massive medical intervention, tubing, dopram, selenium etc. she is a huge 165 pound first freshener. She was raised on a bottle once she learned to suck, then moved onto the lambar with all her pen mates. All her pen mates are my normal, sit in your lap if they could fit girls. Every morning and every night I have to go into the barn, and catch Dallas to bring her in the milk stand, where she acts as if the milking machine is going to eat her alive. I have to struggle to get her on the milkstand, then she does that stupid first freshener trying to get off the milkstand by going forward!!! You have to take a step back to get your head out STUPID!!! So.......Nine and Dallas, though raised very differently are pretty much the same, don't you think? Prosac? Ridilan? Tell me if you find something that helps! Vicki

-- Vicki McGaugh TX (vickilonesomedoe@hotmail.com), March 14, 2002.

My lead doe was a handful when I first started milking her. I simply had to tie her legs down to get anything done. Now I don't have to do anything, but if I remember correctly it took a good two months before I could leave the ropes off her legs. I have no idea why they try to go forward on you. Mine try to go sideways...ratsa fratzin arrrarrr arrrgh. At least they aren't kicking.:)

-- Doreen (animalwaitress@yahoo.com), March 14, 2002.

I'm still trying to get my "about to freshen" Togg to get ON the milk stand! Trying to get her used to it before I need to milk her. She has only been up there eating grain once. I keep working with her...with images of all your skittish girls in my head! Jan

-- Jan in Co (Janice12@aol.com), March 15, 2002.

Just wanted to give you an update on this headstrong doe. Things are somewhat better.

We have removed all food from her (except hay) so the only grain or treats that she receives will be on the milk stand. This helped get her onto the stand. Next, instead of holding DOWN her rear kicking leg, we held it UP. This threw her off balance, so she didn't kick. I was able to milk one teat at a time this way. I have discovered that one of her teats points west. It is almost completely horizontal, so milking this one is a challenge in itself.

I also use my Tupperware 4 cup plastic measuring cup with handle. It doesn't hurt as much if it flies.

Things are better, but I do think that her bags might be packed. I'm trying to be patient. Thanks for all your suggestions.

-- Charleen with obies in WNY (harperhillfarm@yahoo.com), March 17, 2002.

take a deep breath , and first of all, remember, the milking "stand" is our convienence ,not thiers, you can get any old ornrey goat on a stand , and yes they kick, and dance and do the cha cha cha.... my remedy, i have first fresheners use one of two stands , both are against a wall, and i milk them there, your head will neatly fit in the "pocket" left in front of their thigh, gently push your head there, and them against the wall, and milk, and i have found the most improtant thing of all, is dont stop, no matter how much she kicks of how fat the barn cats get from spilled milk, keep milking, even if its only one or two "squeezes". because if you stop, then whatshe is trying to do is working !!, goats are smart, and trust me , she wont forget that lucky lesson ., i kick , they stop milking me and leave me alone.

i also agree, 125% with the feeding them only on the stand thing, its the best method i have found to get the ornrey doe up to milk.

-- Beth Van Stiphout (willosnake@hotmail.com), March 20, 2002.