Goat milk is a nutritious and healthy product. It is suitable for children and the elderly; it is purchased with pleasure by adherents of a healthy diet. Dairy goats are kept on large farms and private farmsteads. It happens that a goat does not give full milk, what to do, how to understand why this is happening, and increase milk yield - a question often asked by people who have recently started a subsidiary farm.
Causes of the problem
The amount of milk obtained from animals may vary. It depends on the breed of the goat, its age, nutrition, and individual characteristics. An outbred individual produces 2-3 liters of milk per day. Pedigree animals - up to 9 liters. If milk yield decreases sharply, it is necessary to establish the cause.
A decrease in milk supply can occur under the influence of the following factors:
- violation of drinking and feeding regime;
- problems with the udder (presence of mastitis, mechanical damage);
- improper milking;
- poor living conditions (dirt, dampness and cold in the barn);
- lack of walking.
You should not expect good milk yield from a goat if it is poorly cared for.
There are other reasons why an animal does not produce much milk. For example, a first kitten who is not accustomed to milking may well choke milk. Therefore, the goat should be accustomed to milking in advance; the animal should trust its owners and not be afraid of them.
Main symptoms
The main symptom is a small amount of milk, swelling of the udder. It becomes hard and hot and increases in size. Then milk in small portions up to 5 times a day to prevent the development of mastitis. A sick animal becomes restless, traces of blood appear in the milk, and in severe cases, pus. Such symptoms require immediate veterinary attention.
With a lack of food, the pet becomes lethargic, apathetic, and loses weight. After lambing, in addition to hay, she should receive bran, a mash of chopped vegetables (zucchini, carrots, cucumbers), and a little oats.
What to do if a goat pinches milk
The goat specifically retains milk if the kids are nearby and she feels their presence or hears the kids. Therefore, kids are taken from their mother immediately after lambing; it is better if they are kept in another room. Some females milk better when listening to music. You should choose a calm melody that the goat quickly gets used to.
Another reason for low milk yield is a lack of vitamins. The female needs to recover from pregnancy and childbirth; she may not have enough strength for this. You should call a veterinarian, he will recommend a suitable drug. In case of hormonal imbalance, Oxytocin is prescribed; adding glucose or sugar to the feed helps increase milk yield. Your veterinarian may recommend glucose injections.
Preventive measures
The first cat needs to be accustomed to milking in advance. It is necessary to inspect the udder daily. While grazing, a goat may scratch or cut its delicate skin. It is washed with warm water and soap, wiped dry with a hard towel and lightly massaged with warm, dry hands. You should have a treat for the animal, then it will quickly get used to the procedures and stop worrying.
They milk a goat with their fist. Pulling your fingers on the nipples can injure the udder. After milking is finished, lightly massage the udder and milk the goat dry. After lambing, in normal udder condition, 3 milkings are needed, then they are reduced to 2, morning and evening. Milking should be done at the same time. Walking is required for the animal, then the amount of milk increases. The first cat is milked every 5-6 hours. The largest amount of milk is obtained after 3-4 lambings. It is better to milk in the same clothes.
Over time, milk yield decreases; after 8 years, a goat is considered old, but experienced farmers claim that with good care they can be kept for 10-12 years.When purchasing, you should choose dairy goats (meat breeds produce less milk), and carefully examine the animal. The goat should be well-fed, with clean shiny hair and clear eyes. It is better to choose an individual with a calm disposition, after 1-2 lambings. This is a herd animal, it is better to buy 2 individuals, then they will not get bored.
A goat is much easier to keep than a cow. With proper care, the animal is quite capable of providing the family with milk, which prevents the development of osteoporosis, is good for digestion, and strengthens the immune system.
