The babies that were born at the end of March/first of April are getting big. Everyone is doing well, and it makes me think about weaning.
After Clover lost her kids I decided to wean Coffee’s boy, Xerxes, because she thought she should get milked too.
Well, in hindsight, I noticed that Coffee seemed to always have a full udder in the few days before weaning, and I thought her not wanting to stand still for me to milk was because her boy was standing outside the pen crying for her. I was wrong.
I didn’t realize it was because of how much he hurt her while nursing. The milk on the left is from one side of her, and I’ve obviously aggravated an injury by milking her. The bag is supposed to look like Clover’s on the right. Hopefully, she’ll heal and I can keep milking her. If it doesn’t clear up in a few days, I’ll try to gradually dry her up. Since she was already not letting him nurse, I’m not getting as much milk as usual from her, and she might end up drying up on her own.
I knew it always looked painful when those kids would nurse. They might look sweet when they are sleeping with each other,
but when mom stands up, they attack. That dark spot on the far right of her udder just below her tail, is a place they’ve sliced open with their teeth. (You can click on the picture to make it larger.)
Some of the girls are starting to get thin. It’s hard to keep up making milk when they get so big.
Looks like I should wean some more kids.
Sharing with The Good. The Random. The Fun.
Oh my gosh, the little vultures! Are you retaining any?
Annie is the only one I’m keeping. The rest will be sold.
those moms go thru a lot!
They really are selfless moms.
They really are so adorable!
Thanks. 🙂
Annie is a beauty.
She truly is. I’m glad she’s staying on the farm.
They’re all adorable, but Annie is my favorite!! I feel so sorry for those mamas who are hurting! Ornery kids!
It’s definitely time for some of them to be weaned.
Hope Coffee is ok. Poor girl.
She’s not having any discomfort when I milk now, and she’s getting less blood in the milk, so she’s improving.
Oh goodness, yes they are growing up, but still just adorable to see!
They are still fun. Just a bit rough on their moms.
I was wondering at what age you are sselling them? No I am not buying them!!! You must be a bit sad when they have to all go except Annie. I wonder why you picked Annie to stay?
It depends on how quickly they grow and the quality of my pasture. Usually I sell between three and four months. I picked Annie to stay because she makes her mom happy. Sallie had no family here after losing her mom and her kids last year. She’s happy again. It’s just a bonus that Annie is a gorgeous girl.
They look so cute and innocent, poor Coffee ! I thought that now, that they are teenagers they wouldn’t nurse anymore !
Weaning is usually between two and three months. These kids are on the young side for weaning, but it certainly looks like I need to wean at least a few more.
Poor Coffee, I hope she will be OK> The kids are just so darn cute, I love them.
Have a happy Tuesday!
She is already doing much better. I didn’t see any blood in her milk this morning.
Don’t know how I missed this interesting blog! Hoping Coffee will be ok. Annie has beautiful markings. Do they cry when weaned;probably? Always something to do, isn’t there? But, I like that & I’m very sure you do too!
Coffee is already better. Hardly any blood in the milk this morning. I definitely like to stay busy. They do cry. Breaks my heart, but I tell them that everyone has to be weaned.
I’m way behind on my reading. Came back to find this post after reading about Coffee tonight (Sat.) Poor thing!
I had no idea they could do so much damage or maybe it was from when he was born. Who knows. I’m so far behind visiting blogs, I’ll never be caught up. Was going to try this weekend, but that’s not looking promising now.
Your babies are getting big. The poor mamas! How uncomfortable that must be for them.
They are certainly hard on them.