A goat has little milk after lambing: what to do and what is the reason, methods of increasing

Table Of Contents

Why does a goat have no milk after lambing
What to do in such cases
When is reduced milk production considered normal?

Small cattle are mainly raised for meat and milk. With the right approach, childbirth in goats mostly goes without problems or complications. However, sometimes after lambing there are negative consequences. If a goat has little milk after lambing, what should be done in such a 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 diseases that were not detected in time.In such a situation, even if the goat gives birth, it will not be able to feed the cubs due to lack of milk. Sometimes complications after lambing do not appear immediately, but after a few 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, pathology begins to develop from a subclinical form. However, there are no obvious symptoms. The onset of the disease can be identified by a decrease in milk production, since destructive processes occur in the glands.

A hidden form of pathology is also a great danger. In mastitis milk, the quality decreases and the shelf life decreases. Only special studies help to identify subclinical mastitis.

The main symptoms of the disease include the following signs:

Decrease in milk production - often up to 25%.
Changing the consistency of milk. Oil impurities may appear in it. With catarrhal mastitis, the density of milk decreases. It acquires a watery texture and is easily divided into fractions of water and fat.
Purulent or bloody impurities in milk. Such symptoms accompany purulent mastitis.
Nipple change. There is also soreness of the skin. Quite often, clots clog channels.
Complete cessation of milk production. This happens after 2-4 days.

Animals are often depressed and sick, 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 acquires a red tint. Mastitis can be treated exclusively with antibacterial drugs.

Udder injuries

Goats that are freely grazing can be severely injured - for example, caught on a knot. Sometimes there are fights between animals, which causes damage 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 a goat is seriously injured, it is recommended that you contact your veterinarian and isolate the animal from the rest of the herd.

Bad feeding

Often the problem of reducing the amount of milk appears with poor nutrition. Many farmers feed the same food until they run out. This adversely affects appetite. As a result, the pet may refuse food or not completely eat his portion. In addition, with such a diet, there is a deficiency of useful elements.

Containment Breach

If a female is lambing but is producing too little milk, a containment breach can be suspected. To avoid such problems, it is recommended to adhere to the rules of hygiene and properly care for the animal. Goats should be kept in a clean and dry environment. It is important to ensure that there are no drafts in it. Equally important is a properly composed diet.

What to do in such cases

In order for a goat to feed the kids, immediately after lambing it is necessary to properly milk the udder. In the first hours after childbirth, it is important to milk colostrum. Sometimes babies refuse mother's milk because it has a bitter taste. This is due to the female eating too many maple branches or sagebrush.

To increase the amount of milk after childbirth, it is recommended to follow these rules:

Give the female a warm drink. You can give her water with sugar. Herbal tea also works.
Feed your goat quality hay. It is also recommended to use nutritious food.
Control cleanliness and hygiene. It is important that the female does not come into contact with sick animals.
Give goat homeopathic veterinary medicines. They help make milk better.

After lambing, be sure to give the goat a lot of water.It is important that it is slightly warm. If the female refuses the liquid, you can add a little s alt to it. This will help increase your thirst. Before milking, it is useful to massage the goat. Increased blood circulation helps stimulate lactation.

When is reduced milk production considered normal?

After lambing, the amount of milk increases gradually - this happens depending on the needs of the cub. The maximum volume of milk yield is reached 4-5 months after birth. Then the amount of milk gradually decreases, and this is considered normal.

By 5 months, a kid can go completely without milk. As a result, defense mechanisms develop in the body. They are aimed at accumulating strength for the next pregnancy and raising new cubs.

Reducing the amount of milk after lambing may be a variant of the norm or indicate serious problems. To restore lactation, it is worth establishing the reasons for its deterioration. When in doubt, it is recommended to consult a veterinarian.