What is your udder cleaning routine for a goat

[FarmerCathy]

It's been so long since I milked a goat, I had dairy goats in 4-H for 6 years, that was 15 yrs ago. Wow, does time fly. So, what is your preferred udder cleaning method before you milk your doe? What do you use? And how do you treat the udder after you milk?

Thanks so much!

[FarmerCathy]

Another question. When do you start milking your does after they kid. I want to leave them on, but make sure her production is up so we can get some milk too. What do you all do?

[1jooj]

I use Dawn, a fresh washcloth and warm water, and dry with a dry washcloth. Cheap ones from the store that you buy by the 20...and I wash and line-dry. Dip from the farm store. I suppose I could buy an udder wash, but the goats are such princesses, they won't go near dirt anyway.

I had two first fresheners this year. I started training them to the milkstand and milking at about 2 weeks in...and just "practice milking," working our way up. Eventually, I was getting a decent milking, and then milked just once a day until I weaned the kids. Now I'm milking twice a day and the kids are penned separately. Unfortunately, it looks like they'll be penned separately a good, long time. One of my does is incredibly maternal, and her doeling still wants to nurse. They've nursed through the fence, even.

[FarmerCathy]

Hehe. Cute nursing through the fence. Yeah, I've had kids do that when I showed them, not so good when you need to go into the show ring with a full udder.