I'm happy to introduce Cupcake to you! It looks like she'll be joining Pansy and Starlight soon, and will get a name change to Lily. I got the chance to purchase her from a breeder who had decided to sell her herd of Nigerians. I'm really excited by the prospect of having milk sooner than next May! Her little doeling is going to be sold to someone else as a bottle baby, so I will be able to try my hand at milking right away. I really don't know how that will go, or what her udder is going to be like when it's allowed to bag up good (if it does indeed bag up good). I guess that's a mystery for all of us. I hope for enough milk for our cows milk intolerant daughter to have milk for her cereal and a glass at dinner. I'll be pretty happy with that for now, though I hope for enough for all our needs in the future.
I've read in my research that a well-bred Nigerian doe can produce an average of a quart a day over the 305 day lactation period. At peak production (two months into the lactation cycle) some does are now producing over 6 lbs of milk a day, some nearly seven (one gallon). The way things stand now the three does I have are on a one fall freshener and two spring fresheners schedule. If I could spread my spring fresheners out by a month it would be ideal, except for the logistics of where to put all of them. Since things aren't often "ideal" we'll all get to see what actually happens over the next year. OK, are you bored yet? I've got goat fever right now. Sorry to all of you who aren't interested in goats, but watch out, I hear it's contagious! ;)
Lilly with her current doeling
Nope, not bored! If I could have a goat right now, I would! What a sweet heart! Hope the milking goes well for you. :)
ReplyDeleteYOU MEAN MY GRAND DAUGHTER WHO THEY SAY IS ALLERGIC TO MILK COULD MEAN JUST COWS MILK. i don't think she researched it enough. now he is eating food,its being extra care not to include dairy. maybe he could have goats milk and by-products?
ReplyDeleteGoat fever indeed - I LOVE goats! It is impossible to not smile when I even think of the word "goat". I can't wait to see them all develop!
ReplyDeleteOh, how exciting!! Just to have enough milk for your daughter would be so wonderful. Do you have a milking stand ready for the new addition to your goat herd? That makes it sooo much easier come milking time. I would think especially so with the smaller breeds of goats. Keep us up to date on this one, please!
ReplyDeleteOh, I'm so glad you're all interested in the goats! I'd be boring you all silly with them if you weren't.
ReplyDeleteMama Pea- I do have a milking stand, and can't believe I don't have a post showing that. Since Lily should be standing on it by the evening of the 14th, I'll have some pics soon after that. :) I'll keep you updated (weather you want to be or not)!
Judy- I would say your daughter should try it and see. Chances are your grandson would do well with it. My girl does fine on it, and cows milk gives her bad stomach ache, gas and diarrhea. I hope it works for your grandson! :)
I hope your husband is doing well.