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Stacey
Joined: 18 Jul 2005
Posts: 6881
Location: Kernow
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 Posted: Sun May 25, 08 8:32 am Post subject: Goat hates being milked |
 
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Is there any way of encouraging a goat that hates being milked to calm down? She kicks and struggles and just generally hates it. Is she destined to never be a milker or will she eventually calm down? Her mother came to us already being milked and has always been ok about it - seems to even enjoy it but this is her daughters first time and she seems to loathe it. Any tips? |
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Jonnyboy
Joined: 29 Oct 2004
Posts: 22648
Location: location, location
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| Posted: Sun May 25, 08 8:45 am Post subject: |
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Do you feed her at the same time as milking her? |
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Stacey
Joined: 18 Jul 2005
Posts: 6881
Location: Kernow
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| Posted: Sun May 25, 08 8:51 am Post subject: |
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Yeah, there's a feeder built in to the miliing stand that my husband made.
I've found something called a goat hobble that looks like it would do the trick but can't find one for sale in the uk  |
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RichardW
Joined: 24 Aug 2006
Posts: 5342
Location: Llyn Peninsular North Wales
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| Posted: Sun May 25, 08 9:07 am Post subject: |
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Give her time. Be firm but fair. Do not stop when she plays up. Always stop when you are winning. Its like kids if you give in once they know all they have to do is keep going on till you crack its only a matter of time not if you will. Do her last so you are not worried about spilt milk or a foot in the pail. Discount all her milk from the production till she calms down that way you take the presure of you to perform.
Justme |
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RichardW
Joined: 24 Aug 2006
Posts: 5342
Location: Llyn Peninsular North Wales
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| Posted: Sun May 25, 08 9:11 am Post subject: |
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| Stacey wrote: |
Yeah, there's a feeder built in to the miliing stand that my husband made.
I've found something called a goat hobble that looks like it would do the trick but can't find one for sale in the uk |
Make one. Or a leather belt fixed to the stand for the back legs. But to be honest we have had a few bad milkers & they all calm down with time / trust plus they hate having their feet in the milk pail / puddle of milk on the stand. Every time to are with her touch her udder so she gets used to contact. If she is very hairy trim her.
Justme |
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Stacey
Joined: 18 Jul 2005
Posts: 6881
Location: Kernow
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| Posted: Sun May 25, 08 9:13 am Post subject: |
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Her milk goes to the pig or the dog/cats. It's just such a pain (literally) she really struggles about going in the milking stand and she's too strong for me  I'm going to ring my neighbour to see if he can wrestle her in for me tomorrow. And I'm going to try a home made hobble I think. Her mother reached through the pen and bit me this morning  She probably thought I was hurting her daughter  |
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Jonnyboy
Joined: 29 Oct 2004
Posts: 22648
Location: location, location
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| Posted: Sun May 25, 08 9:16 am Post subject: |
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Jeepers that doesn't sound like fun. I'm planning on getting a milker sooner rather than later. So will be watching this thread with interest. |
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Tavascarow
Joined: 06 Aug 2006
Posts: 2236
Location: South Cornwall
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| Posted: Sun May 25, 08 9:17 am Post subject: |
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Try & be confident & not nervy.
Massage her udder for a few minutes & warm your hands.
If she's a fresh kidder sometimes having the kids up near her head can calm them down as long as you can keep them away from her teats.
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Stacey
Joined: 18 Jul 2005
Posts: 6881
Location: Kernow
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| Posted: Sun May 25, 08 9:18 am Post subject: |
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| Jonnyboy wrote: |
| Jeepers that doesn't sound like fun. I'm planning on getting a milker sooner rather than later. So will be watching this thread with interest. |
Just make sure you see the goat being milked, touch her udders yourself etc. This one is a brand new mum, hopefully she'll calm down eventually because the milk is ace. |
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Stacey
Joined: 18 Jul 2005
Posts: 6881
Location: Kernow
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| Posted: Sun May 25, 08 9:21 am Post subject: |
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| TAVASCAROW wrote: |
Try & be confident & not nervy.
Massage her udder for a few minutes & warm your hands.
If she's a fresh kidder sometimes having the kids up near her head can calm them down as long as you can keep them away from her teats.
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I think part of the problem is that I'm the third person that's milked her. My husband is laid up in bed and the neighbour's been doing it. I thought I'd try it myself today but it was hell I'm not nervous round them though and I'm defintely calmer than my husband who loses his temper and says she should 'do what she's told'  |
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random
Joined: 01 Jul 2006
Posts: 142
Location: Skåne, Sweden
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| Posted: Sun May 25, 08 9:32 am Post subject: |
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I can only agree with what's said above - don't give in.
Goat wrestling is a difficult business and bad for the back, I speak from experience but they do come round quite quickly, it took mine about a fortnight. She is a maiden milker and fought me every step of the way.
Now she's pretty much got the routine, she can still try it on but nine times out of ten she makes it to the stand without a fight though maybe not always on the first attempt.
Every time you feed and her head is in the food cup and bounce her udder gently. I also find singing [though I'm definitely no Pavarotti] helps, always the same song. It's part of our routine and is an indicator of what's coming next. It also helps keep the atmosphere calm.
Losing your temper round goats is never a good idea, they are intelligent and have good memories and will just try all the harder to avoid you next time. |
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VSS
Joined: 14 Jan 2007
Posts: 2112
Location: Llyn Peninsula, North Wales
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| Posted: Sun May 25, 08 1:37 pm Post subject: |
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| Stacey wrote: |
Yeah, there's a feeder built in to the miliing stand that my husband made.
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Suggest that you don't get into the habit of feeding while milking. Feed an hour or so before, if poss (eg, if goats individually housed), or let the animal finish the feed on the stand before you start milking. Herbivores are prey / flight species, and in a wild state are at their most vulnerable when head down feeding. Domestic stock won't be relaxed with head in bucket. They are A)on the defensive lest their herd mates butt in for grub and B) can't see what is going on around them. A relaxed goat or cow has its head up, eyes half shut, and is chewing cud. You'll get better yields with less hassle if thats how they are when you are milking. Look at a cow suckling her own calf and you'll see what I mean. Another prob with feeding to make them stand still is that they'll hold up their milk 'til you provide more grub...and again...and again!
If goat is constantly mesing about, probably either a problem in the relationship between you and it, or problem in the environment of milking room eg, noise, smell, etc.
PS. Forget about hobbles too. |
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lassemista
Joined: 28 Sep 2006
Posts: 498
Location: suffolk
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| Posted: Sun May 25, 08 2:45 pm Post subject: |
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I had quite a tussle with one of mine when I first started milking her. She was 3 years old and had been handled very little. I feed her while milking (I never had the sense that she was nervous, just stroppy, and the other goat is kept away)and the greatest tip was from David MacKenzie, which is that the goat can't kick if you hold her leg just above the hock. If you squeeze the tendon there they have no power in the kick. It means milking one handed for a while, but eventually she gave in. I still have to hold her leg if she finishes her food too soon, but only while stripping out.
I always put a treat in the bowl to get them on the stand, even now when they generally get on for themselves. Mine love banana skins! I have a short lead to tie them up once they are on, but obviously they can't be left unsupervised like that.
Her sister, who is generally more timid, stands and cuds while she is milked. I think it is a case of showing who is boss, without getting angry (easier said then done, I know).
Routine seems very important, so frequent changes of milkers won't help.
Keep at it.
Andrea. |
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woodsprite
Joined: 20 Mar 2006
Posts: 2085
Location: North Herefordshire
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| Posted: Sun May 25, 08 2:58 pm Post subject: |
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I agree entirely with VSS, never milk whilst feeding. Its a bit late now I know but I always handled my nanny kids from birth, massaging the udder area and then sitting with them in the position that I would eventually be milking them. Try to put yourself in her shoes and understand the nature of a flight animal. I wouldn't contemplate using a hobble myself but then I try to be as natural as possible with all my beasties. |
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Stacey
Joined: 18 Jul 2005
Posts: 6881
Location: Kernow
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| Posted: Sun May 25, 08 4:03 pm Post subject: |
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Our 'proper' milking goat feeds while she's milking - always has done. It's what she came to us doing. The hobble is pretty humane IMO - not painful at all. If I were going to be entirely 'natural' I wouldn't be milking a 'beastie' at all |
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