Howdy all, from NM. My darlin' Magnolia gave birth to beautiful twins a couple of days ago. She's an Angora but milks like a Jersey cow! However, both the kids like only one side of the restaurant. She hangs real low and they finally got that one side small enough to drink from it without having to kneel down. I've seen the kids go for the other side but never stick with it. Yes, I have stripped it and there is milk. Should I be concerned? Any & all help/comments welcome. dh in nm

-- debra in nm (dhaden@nmtr.unm.edu), May 16, 2001

Answers

Two ways to go about this. Either leave it alone and the side will dry up. Or milk it our every day or so, once the kids are larger and more aggressive, someone will get booted to the other side. Where there will be milk for them, making for bigger kids from a larger milk supply! Vicki

-- Vicki McGaugh TX (vickilonesomedoe@hotmail.com), May 17, 2001.

You could try taping the nursed teat and forcing them to use the other teat, this will help prevent a lopsided udder. Teat tape is available from most caprine catalogues or use paper tape for sensitive skin found at many discount stores. Taping is an art learned from experience so don't be surprised if the little buggers get it off the first few times. We run two long strips starting well up on the teat and crossed over the orifice. We then use another long piece to hold these in place, wrapped several times around the entire teat. Do not wrap too tightly when empty,the teat will enlarge as the udder fills. Needless to say, do milk the side out and replace the tape twice a day. We have found it usually takes only a couple of days to get them on the other side, but some babies will always have a preference. Good luck!

-- Nancy Bakke-McGonigle Mn. Sunset (dmcgonig@smig.net), May 19, 2001.

Here's an update on the one-sided doe. Mom Nature knows best.. yes, the kids figured it out! Chalk it up to a dithering first-time goat grandma to ask a question like that! All moms & babes doing fine. Thanks. dh in nm

-- debra in nm (dhaden@nmtr.unm.edu), May 21, 2001.