Udderly different!

[savingdogs]

I'm in the process of learning to milk my two FF does, Molly and Ginger. Ginger still has two nursing kids so while I've milked her, she doesn't really have much to offer yet.

But I am noticing some things about Molly, the one I'm milking, and I want to learn more about UDDERS. Yes, a goat boob discussion. Lovely. I discuss boobs on the internet now.

The shape of her two sides seems to be different and I didn't notice this before.

Does the shape change or develop as you milk or as they nurse their kid?

One teat is AWESOME. I should take a video of what a long hard stream of milk I can get out of it. The nipple part itself is big, round and it is really easy to feel it "fill up" with milk and tell when it is empty. I can empty that side now in a jiffy.

Other side is different. It seems like that side is shaped like a ball, and the teat is smaller, it never seems full like the other teat. I have to use more hand motions to get out much less milk and it doesn't go straight down the same direction each time. I have to punch the bag and squeeze, punch the bag and squeeze, and I only end up getting about 1/3 of what I get from the good side and all that punching gets too much hair in the milk. I can tell there is more milk there but she won't let me have it.

I also have the problem of her getting sick of me by the time I'm trying to get the rest of the milk out of that side. But if I try for that side first, she doesn't seem to let down very well. In fact, that side milks best if I squeeze three times or so and then switch to the OTHER side for a squirt and come back, so I think the process is taking too long, not that she is eating too fast. She never eats all I put out even, she is not a piggy goat, she is skittish.

I always feel like she thinks that side is a little tender. But since the "good" side is the side I always have tried first (being right handed and the way my stanchion is set up, that is the side I learned on), I think to some extent this "good" side on Molly changed with use. It wasn't so good at first, I don't think it was just me.

Suggestions for me? I want to make the sides equal.

I didn't want to put this discussion in my journal because I'm really trying to learn more about JUST UDDERS.

Udderly confused, OFG would probably say. But today I got about 1/3 of a "hairy" cup doing the "bad" side with Molly and about two cups on the good side. Before y'all giggle, remember she is a mini.
And I'm concerned about the fact I can never get the bad side emptied, for when I sell the kid, so I want to solve this issue now if it is a matter of a milking learning curve.

Sorry for such a long post....but I was trying to make my problem clear. I think she is milking WELL, I just don't understand goat udders and teats.

 

[Javamama]

I love this topic! I'm of no help but I know exactly what you mean. One side is easy, the udder (lol) side not so easy.

 

[Rebbetzin]

Well, I am not that experienced of a milker myself. There are four different goats I milk. Each one is very different. And I too have noticed that one side usually easier to let down/fill up, and has a stronger stream. It doesn't seem to matter whay hand I use.

After looking at all the different types of udders on BYH. I am amazed at the different shapes and sizes.

 

[glenolam]

If the kid is nursing only from the one side (I'm imagining the "bad" side) then when he's gone it should fill up faster and get larger. Thus the teat should round out as well. (Note - SHOULD)

Yes, from my experience, sides can differ and they also may differ due to your technique as you thought. If you're demanding more from one side of the udder, then that side will produce more. I'm thinking you're demanding more from the side you milk than he's demanding from his side - not to mention he's milking her round the clock while you're only hitting her up once a day.

 

[Rebbetzin]

I love this topic! I'm of no help but I know exactly what you mean. One side is easy, the udder (lol) side not so easy.

 

[aggieterpkatie]

Yeah, what Glen said. If kids nurse one side more than another, then it can affect how that side produces. It's pretty common for one side to be a better producer than the other even if the goat is being hand milked only.

And are you really "punching" her udder? Or are you bumping (fast but not hard). Bruising the udder can cause issues and blood in the milk, plus mastitis if you're too rough. Also, squeezing too high up on the teat (and actually grabbing udder) can also cause tenderness. What kind of udder prepping are you doing? If she's having issues letting down, then I'd make a good long routine of washing her udder with warm (and soapy) water to wash it and help relax her. Massaging it will also work, and it will help to get the loose hair off the udder if it's not shaved.

 

[savingdogs]

You are funny Java, I was thinking of calling this thread the Udder Udder...I was thinking no one would get it though.

I've tried to observe if the kid is effecting the milk supply and he seems to use the good and bad side. She only has the one kid.

On the good side, I can get my right hand in there real good between her legs, whereas on the bad side I have her leg in the way. As far as "punching", I have not been doing that hard! I wasn't doing it at all until someone here suggested it and I only punch gently. But it does seem to help. I certainly don't punch as hard as her kid does!

I might be squeezing too high on the teat, I don't know. It seems like all the milk is stuck up inside or something on that side. I can feel that it seems full. No signs of blood or mastitis though, thank goodness, but I worry about that when the kid is gone. It also seemed like the "bad" side requires more of a tugging down motion to get anything out and I thought that wasn't the idea, but I tried all kinds of ways and more milk comes out that way.

As far as prepping, this goat HATES that part and it does not relax her. I have had to learn to prep her as quickly as possible. She doesn't find any part of this process relaxing and I'm using very gentle hands. I use warm water. My set up in in a utility room with a sink so I have hot water right there. She likes this room as we have had her come in there for grain since she was a kid herself.

I love Molly and want this to be a pleasant time for her but so far I don't think I've got her convinced. This morning I was "late" and I think she appreciated me emptying her good side. But she was NOT very happy with da udder.

 

[aggieterpkatie]

Does she have tiny teats? Maybe you're having a harder time closing off the duct so no milk goes back up into the udder? When I milk my ewe it's hard because her teats are so small and I think the main problem is my fingers are so big compared to her little teats, so I have to try to close them off but still leave myself room to actually *milk* the teat. It's hard to explain.

But this is making me change my mind about wanting a mini goat.

 

[savingdogs]

That does sound a bit like it, but only the one side. The other side is like a water spicket.....or a beer tap!

Maybe I am exaggerating a bit but there is a profound difference.

But when we first started milking I noticed no difference in them at all. It is like the good side has kind of grown into being good.