Small cattle are primarily raised for meat and milk. With the right approach, birth in goats mostly occurs without problems or complications. However, sometimes negative consequences occur after lambing. If a goat has little milk after lambing, what should you do in this situation? First of all, it is recommended to establish the causes of the problems.
Why does a goat have no milk after lambing?
The process of giving birth to offspring in goats does not always go smoothly. In some situations, the female even needs the help of a veterinarian.The cause of problems is usually a violation of the rules of prenatal care or a disease that was not detected in time. In such a situation, even if the goat gives birth, she will not be able to feed her babies due to lack of milk. Sometimes complications after lambing do not appear immediately, but after several months, when productivity is not restored.
At this point, the goat may develop pathologies. Another cause of problems is the lack of proper care for the female. After lambing, she needs special nutrition, milking and udder massage.
Mastitis
If a goat has no milk at all after giving birth, mastitis can be suspected. Most often, the pathology begins to develop with a subclinical form. In this case, there are no obvious symptoms. The onset of the disease can be detected by a decrease in milk yield, as destructive processes occur in the glands.
The main symptoms of the disease include the following:
- Decrease in milk yield – often up to 25%.
- Change in milk consistency. It may contain oil impurities. With cold mastitis, the density of milk decreases. It acquires a watery structure and is easily divided into fractions of water and fat.
- Purulent or bloody impurities in milk. Such symptoms accompany purulent mastitis.
- Changing nipples. Skin soreness is also observed. Often the channels become clogged with clots.
- Complete cessation of milk production. This happens after 2-4 days.
Animals often experience a depressed and painful state, and the temperature rises. Purulent mastitis can transform into an abscess.The affected area increases in size and causes pain. The skin of the udder swells and takes on a red tint. Mastitis can be treated exclusively with antibacterial drugs.
Udder injuries
Goats that are freely grazing can be seriously injured - for example, caught on a twig. Sometimes fights occur between animals, which causes injuries from horns, hooves or teeth. In such a situation, the goat does not give milk.
To avoid such problems, you need to isolate aggressive pets. It is recommended to calm the injured goat and examine the affected area. If there is no danger, rinse the wound with water, disinfect with peroxide and apply a bandage. In this case, it is worth using a wound healing ointment. Streptocide is also suitable. If the goat is seriously injured, it is recommended to contact a veterinarian and isolate the animal from the rest of the herd.
Poor feeding
Often the problem of decreased milk supply appears due to poor nutrition. Many farmers feed the same product until it runs out. This adversely affects appetite. As a result, the pet may refuse food or not completely eat its portion. In addition, with such a diet there is a deficiency of useful elements.
Violation of containment conditions
If the female has lambed, but gives too little milk, a violation of the conditions of detention can be suspected. To avoid such problems, it is recommended to adhere to the rules of hygiene and properly care for the animal. The goat should be kept in a clean and dry room. It is important to ensure that there are no drafts in it. A properly formulated diet is of no small importance.
What to do in such cases
In order for a goat to be able to feed her kids, the udder must be properly milked immediately after lambing. In the first hours after birth, it is important to milk colostrum. Sometimes babies refuse their mother's milk because it has a bitter taste. This is due to the female eating too many maple branches or wormwood.
To increase your milk supply after childbirth, it is recommended to adhere to the following rules:
- Provide the female with a warm drink. She can be given water with sugar. Herbal tea is also suitable.
- Feed your goat good quality hay. It is also recommended to use nutritious feed.
- Monitor cleanliness and hygiene. It is important that the female does not come into contact with sick animals.
- Give the goat homeopathic veterinary medicines. They help make milk better.
After lambing, be sure to give the goat plenty of water. It is important that it is slightly warm. If the female refuses liquid, you can add a little salt to it. This will help increase your thirst. Before milking, it is useful to give the goat a massage. Increased blood circulation helps stimulate lactation.
When is a decrease in milk yield considered normal?
After lambing, the amount of milk increases gradually - this happens depending on the needs of the calf. Milk yield reaches its maximum volume 4-5 months after birth. Then the amount of milk gradually decreases, and this is considered normal.
By 5 months, a kid can do without milk completely. As a result, defense mechanisms develop in the body. They are aimed at accumulating strength for the next pregnancy and feeding new cubs.
A decrease in milk quantity after lambing may be normal or indicate serious problems.To restore lactation, it is worth establishing the reasons for its deterioration. If in doubt, it is recommended to consult a veterinarian.
