On a previous post Vicki wrote that the disappointment in single birth was in the milk pail. Did you mean only in the older does or is this true in all does. Does the number of kids influence the amount of milk a goat gives? I'm in trouble if it does because I had 2 more single births today. I referred to Vicki's post but it's a question for anyone that wants to answer.

-- sherry (chickadee259@yahoo.com), January 15, 2002

Answers

What's with all the singles this season? Just coincidence? Also, is there any evidence linking the possibilities of singles with certain breeds? Also, does the time of year- ie. early kiddings versus in the spring have any impact? I have two does due in a bit over a month - one a first freshener, the other a second pregnancy. Will be interesting to see what happens. Though my first priority is health for both mom and kids.

-- Lynn (moonspinner@bluefrognet.net), January 15, 2002.

My herd statistics would not agree with Vicki's. I keep barn records but have never gone on official test. I have several does who have singled and still would qualify as star milkers. I believe that if the milk capacity is there, the number of kids shouldn't have much of an influence on the milk production if they are optimumly fed and watered and milked out consistantly twice a day. That has just been my experience.

-- diane (gardiacaprines@yahoo.com), January 21, 2002.

I have not kept strict records- not set up for it. But, my feeling is that Diane and Vicki are both right. Between two does, you cannot rely on the number of kids making the difference in their production. Doe A may just be a better milker all the time, even after a single birthing, than Doe B, whose best production is still 4-5 lbs less than Doe A's. But, a doe may produce better than she usally does, after having triplets, IF she was in good body condition before the birth. If she was thin through her pregnancy and then starts off the lactation with triplets, that possibly need sorting out, and then having to make enough milk for them all, she may lose body condition and become so thin that she just cannot milk up to par that year. I have also seen where a doe had triplets and they died because she didn't have enough milk for hem. But my experience has been that the big, deep does that can carry triplets are the ones who milk well, too. There are a lot of factors to consider. :)

-- Rebekah (daniel1@itss.net), January 21, 2002.