tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1694364001063554832.post8602501022380456051..comments2024-03-28T14:37:45.575-04:00Comments on 5 Acres & A Dream: Dry Spell (A Goat Post)Leighhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02435811789823712254noreply@blogger.comBlogger31125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1694364001063554832.post-5140530267189513782012-04-08T06:14:55.778-04:002012-04-08T06:14:55.778-04:00Karen Anne, that would be a good guess, I agree. I...Karen Anne, that would be a good guess, I agree. Interesting you should say that because calcium is one of the things I'm studying right now. Since the observation about hind leg weakness following years of carrying quads and quints comes through someone who is experienced and knowledgeable in goat care and has been raising Kinders since the 1980s, I do put some weight in what she says. Even so, proper calcium is key.Leighhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02435811789823712254noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1694364001063554832.post-43000306001537664422012-04-08T01:39:48.321-04:002012-04-08T01:39:48.321-04:00Hind leg weakness, makes me think calcium deficien...Hind leg weakness, makes me think calcium deficiency. Just a guess...Karen Annehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13306986336556283751noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1694364001063554832.post-56142180813540804902012-04-04T15:30:14.052-04:002012-04-04T15:30:14.052-04:00Michelle, I've never heard that about Nubians,...Michelle, I've never heard that about Nubians, I confess. I live in the South and can tell you that my two Nubians only cycle through their heats starting in late summer, through late winter (about July or August through January). There may be exceptions though! I recently read that it's day length that will trigger it, so some breeders keep their does indoors and control the amount of light they're exposed to to force ovulation. <br /><br />Yes, the milking through sounds great. It will be a few years before I'll be there as well. :)Leighhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02435811789823712254noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1694364001063554832.post-6011173369675450592012-04-04T13:05:43.022-04:002012-04-04T13:05:43.022-04:00I've always been told Nubians were a breed tha...I've always been told Nubians were a breed that would cycle year round, and I'm from the south. Makes me wonder if climate plays a bigger role than genetics in thei breeding business. LaManchas are only supposed to come in heat in the fall, but I had one do so last spring. We had a very odd spring that went on and on, and my friend who is a breeded thought that was why it happened. Crystal's comment just confirms that theory. <br /><br />I've thought abut milking through, and I would love to be able to. Right now I am working on udder development, but if my girls get to a place where I am happy with their production, I would definitely pursue that avenue. :-DMichellehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16852320721216631639noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1694364001063554832.post-50000432872586376752012-04-04T05:41:21.864-04:002012-04-04T05:41:21.864-04:00Crystal, thank you for that! Never thought to put ...Crystal, thank you for that! Never thought to put freshly strained milked directly into the freezer. I will have to try that because it will be a couple of years before we get to a milking through situation. Glad to know about the lamanchas and mini-Alpines too. Seems all the mini breeds inherit that trait!<br /><br />Susan, its' wonderful having baby goats an milk! Breeding every other year seems very possible. In the end, it will depend on her. :)<br /><br />Anna thank! Yes, that photo was pretty neat. My girls do act very close sometimes. Then sometimes they fight like crazy too! Seems like there are a couple possibilities for year round milk. I enjoyed the milking break, but not the break from the milk. :)Leighhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02435811789823712254noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1694364001063554832.post-32592175685013010662012-04-03T20:24:52.617-04:002012-04-03T20:24:52.617-04:00Love that picture, adorable! I also enjoyed your p...Love that picture, adorable! I also enjoyed your post. We, too, are trying to figure out how to get a year round supply of milk. You gave some good ideas to consider.GrannyAnniehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13237137026935163800noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1694364001063554832.post-90846791720427923232012-04-03T13:48:27.065-04:002012-04-03T13:48:27.065-04:00This is such good information, Leigh. Thank you f...This is such good information, Leigh. Thank you for providing it. I am planning on jumping into the dairy goat pond next spring - after breeding Sage late this year. I was wondering if I could go every other year, as far as breeding her and still having milk. It now seems possible.Susanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12573143203599624833noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1694364001063554832.post-28811281250855012042012-04-03T10:23:05.004-04:002012-04-03T10:23:05.004-04:00Hate dry spells! :( My kids and are milk drinkers ...Hate dry spells! :( My kids and are milk drinkers & store bought milk is no proper substitute.<br /><br />We freeze milk with no separation. I sterilize gatorade/water bottles, filter fresh milk & put them directly in the freezer. If I wait a day, or even a few hours to get it in the freezer, I have some separation. When I thaw, I thaw quickly by placing the bottles in hot, hot water and use right after thawing.... If I let it sit in the fridge or counter to thaw slowly, I got separation. I like smaller bottles so I don't thaw more than I can use right after thawing.<br /><br />My lamanchas cycle pretty much year round, though the cycles are stronger August-March. The miniature Alpines (crossing ND with standard sized goats) also cycle year round......<br /><br />I have heard Kinders will cycle year round, so hopefully you'll have your very own Kinder does sometime in the future.* Crystal *https://www.blogger.com/profile/05747729287507332288noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1694364001063554832.post-59255202710921275672012-04-03T05:38:52.338-04:002012-04-03T05:38:52.338-04:00Amy, I'm sure you're finding out that as w...Amy, I'm sure you're finding out that as with all things, there are as many ideas and philosophies about goats as you can shake a stick at! So much of it is based on commercial, and production and profit goals though. That may or may not be applicable to the homesteader. For us, I need it simple, manageable, and as self-sustaining as possible.<br /><br />Sherri, chickens do love dairy! The least favorite in our barnyard is whey from cheese making. They really prefer cream. :)<br /><br />Michelle, it may be a good system for you to try too then. Certainly seems like the best way to go for year round milk! Plus, there's less kids to deal with all at once. Those multiples can really be a handful. I think, well, if I keep 6 Kinder does and they all have triplets, that would be 18 kids at one shot!Leighhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02435811789823712254noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1694364001063554832.post-38981132481178606012012-04-03T00:32:23.528-04:002012-04-03T00:32:23.528-04:00Leigh, The first year I had Perle she kidded in Fe...Leigh, The first year I had Perle she kidded in February and I dried her off the last week of December with no noticable drop in production, so a ten month lactation should not be a problem at all.Michellehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16852320721216631639noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1694364001063554832.post-33418115844959695862012-04-02T23:27:16.772-04:002012-04-02T23:27:16.772-04:00A very interesting post, we don't have goats b...A very interesting post, we don't have goats but I still like hearing all about yours. I like how you give the chickens the milk, I gave mine same past date sour cream and they went after it...looked funny too with white beaks haha! xoSherri B.https://www.blogger.com/profile/03956294100834139745noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1694364001063554832.post-20736607964194015262012-04-02T22:56:35.936-04:002012-04-02T22:56:35.936-04:00Such an informative post - especially for my famil...Such an informative post - especially for my family who is starting to figure out what we want to do as far as goats. Thanks for all the information!Amy Dingmannhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04955555538158746355noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1694364001063554832.post-46278961264158997502012-04-02T21:28:46.945-04:002012-04-02T21:28:46.945-04:00Donna, I need to add goat milk soap to my list!
M...Donna, I need to add goat milk soap to my list!<br /><br />Mama Pea, I'll have to try that next year (this summer). I probably won't actually be able to have enough does to milk through for a year or two. Right now it's only the Nubians, which I want to use to make more Kinders. :)<br /><br />Richard, we really like it, though maybe it's an acquired taste. Most cereals are too sweet, so this really helps balance that. <br /><br />Sharon, I would be hard put to not get a goat! You're right about it being another chore though. <br /><br />Nancy, I've wondered how folks milk sheep. Sheep milk cheeses are supposed to be delicious.Leighhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02435811789823712254noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1694364001063554832.post-78420021936983877232012-04-02T20:38:22.375-04:002012-04-02T20:38:22.375-04:00Still jealous - no dairy animals (our sheep are sa...Still jealous - no dairy animals (our sheep are sadly difficult to milk - tiny little teats)!NancyDehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09565369052850975336noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1694364001063554832.post-75606293867860447582012-04-02T19:20:11.464-04:002012-04-02T19:20:11.464-04:00I really have to fight the urge to aquire a goat, ...I really have to fight the urge to aquire a goat, I love goat milk on cereal and all of the above, but living alone has it's drawbacks, all the work lies on my shoulders...and do I have the time, but all the new babies were boinging and bucking in a pasture belonging to an Amish family, I pulled over to watch and smile...so cute!A Wild Thinghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11083369862963892366noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1694364001063554832.post-37969508564282190312012-04-02T16:20:34.112-04:002012-04-02T16:20:34.112-04:00Never tried yogurt in my cereal, sounds like i sh...Never tried yogurt in my cereal, sounds like i should try that maybe. Richardtrumphttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14379869475899318079noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1694364001063554832.post-48593877557503528862012-04-02T16:01:58.269-04:002012-04-02T16:01:58.269-04:00Years ago when I was freezing extra goat milk to a...Years ago when I was freezing extra goat milk to augment my breast milk for our baby daughter, I found that the raw milk needed to be pasteurized before freezing to keep it from separating. That worked really well although probably some of the benefits of the raw milk were lost in the pasteurization.Mama Peahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03649357184167949247noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1694364001063554832.post-2130297146496060032012-04-02T15:33:14.336-04:002012-04-02T15:33:14.336-04:00We used to raise goats but the hogs took over abou...We used to raise goats but the hogs took over about three years ago. I for one loved gots milk cheese but not fresh to drink. On the other hand we drink tons of cows milk (raw every year). With 14 of them we never have a "dry" period. Our milk goes to us, our dogs, the cats, the chickens, the hogs, our customers, into our soaps...How really do folks survive who have neither a cow or goat ?!Donna OShaughnessyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08266654110280149719noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1694364001063554832.post-29907928828827730122012-04-02T13:45:01.389-04:002012-04-02T13:45:01.389-04:00Lisa, Nigerian Dwarf's are a wonderful choice,...Lisa, Nigerian Dwarf's are a wonderful choice, especially if space is a consideration. They give very rich milk and have great personalities.<br /><br />Portland, thanks!<br /><br />Natalie, I know all about those plans! That's a thought about the yogurt, though I'm not sure the it would take up any less room. The advantage might be if freezing didn't change the texture. Can frozen yogurt be used to culture the next batch, do you know?<br /><br />Michelle, no, Nubians are seasonal breeders. I wasn't sure about the Nigerians though. I guess the question then would be, do they have a shortened milking season due to their smaller size? I hope things are going better for you now. <br /><br />Carolyn, well, it just isn't standard practice. Neither of my Nubians has actually dried up either, even though for one it's been months since I last milked her. Makes it hard to tell if she's making her bag!<br /><br />Linda, no, I wasn't sure about the Nigerians. You have answered a question about the possibility of milking them through though. Sounds like it depends on the individual. I think Nigerians are an excellent choice for a lot of people. <br /><br />FFG, well I know those goat owners appreciate your business! :)Leighhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02435811789823712254noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1694364001063554832.post-10800788451256449522012-04-02T13:10:54.440-04:002012-04-02T13:10:54.440-04:00I've actually never had goat's milk to dri...I've actually never had goat's milk to drink, but I do love goat cheese. And, I won't use anything but handmade goat's milk soap. Guess I'll keep folks like you in business, cause I have no desire to keep the goats themselves!Florida Farm Girlhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14788091314337673170noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1694364001063554832.post-33218650003066323452012-04-02T12:12:59.632-04:002012-04-02T12:12:59.632-04:00One plus for Kinders, is that they are seasonal br...<i>One plus for Kinders, is that they are seasonal breeders. All (at least I think all) the dairy breeds of goats are seasonal breeders.</i><br /><br />Aw, but Nigerian Dwarfs are dairy goats and they are not seasonal, they bred year round. They give a decent amount of milk - about 1 1/2 to 2 quarts a day sometimes at peak more! That is an amazing amount of milk for such a small goat. The butterfat is the highest of all dairy goats including the Nubian. They are super cute and can be milked for 10 months and some even milk for two to three years before being bred again. Their down side is they have small teats compared to full size goats. But then they also eat half or less what a full size goat eats...Lindahttp://lindercroft.netnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1694364001063554832.post-46167157975613353882012-04-02T11:47:45.414-04:002012-04-02T11:47:45.414-04:00I don't know why I haven't considered milk...I don't know why I haven't considered milking through. I have a doe that does NOT like to dry up but I stop milking her when she's got 3 months to kidding. Maybe I'll try that this year if she's still putting out milk enough for us. Makes sense, producing kids does take a toll on the body, so why not give her a year off and just milk through. Thanks for the idea!Carolynhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14436557172029575513noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1694364001063554832.post-36753958887376397452012-04-02T11:05:33.187-04:002012-04-02T11:05:33.187-04:00Hi Leigh,
Nigerian Dwarfs and Nubians(I'm pret...Hi Leigh,<br />Nigerian Dwarfs and Nubians(I'm pretty sure about the Nubians) will also breed year round. We, too, have been dry for a LONG time! I was having a teribly stressful fall complete with illness and made the decision to dry everyone off in November. Man, that was a long time ago! Perle kidded two weeks ago Saturday, but her milk is still funky with colostrum as of Saturday. I plan to try again on Wednesday.Michellehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16852320721216631639noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1694364001063554832.post-17124085988059792532012-04-02T10:49:45.995-04:002012-04-02T10:49:45.995-04:00I have frozen yogurt quite successfully in the pas...I have frozen yogurt quite successfully in the past. If the milk takes up too much space in the freezer, you could maybe make the yogurt when you have extra milk and then freeze the yogurt.<br />We are in the planning stages of our eventual homestead (a five year plan that has been a five year plan for 3 years now due to some unexpected house repairs and decreased work hours) and this information is so very useful. I like the idea of alternating the breeding years for the mamas.Nataliehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12447113571069402625noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1694364001063554832.post-65316829089916715502012-04-02T10:16:22.218-04:002012-04-02T10:16:22.218-04:00Great blog, informative and up to date. Bookmarkin...Great blog, informative and up to date. Bookmarking your page. Thanks and more power!Portland Chimney Repairhttp://www.rooftopchimneyandroofservices.comnoreply@blogger.com