nursing Baby goats on another doe

This week I am picking up my pygmy doe and she has 3 kids. My Lamancha does are due the first of June. I was wondering since it will be time for the to wean the 3 kids from the pygmy if I could let the baby Lamanchas nurse from her while I milk the Lamanch.

It all depends on the doe.....some will accept other kids but most will not.....on the other extreme you have does that will "steal" a kid from its mother if they can. You won't know until you try. However, you can leave the kids with the doe and still milk. You won't get as much milk, but you won't have to worry about missing a milking either. Or, there is the option of bottle feeding which has its pros and cons.

That you Pearl! I appreciate all the info. Guess I will just wait and see...if it doesn't work then I am thinking I will leave the kids on the doe and still milk her, but I want lots of milk too...

Why not milk the pygmy twice a day and the la mancha once?

Great idea Doug!

She is most likely NOT going to accept the other doe's kids.

You can always put the pygmy on the milking stand and then let the babies nurse her, instead of bottle feeding. I've done that before with a doe with small teats I did not want to hand milk, saving the milk from their easier to milk mom for me. You will still have to go to the trouble of keeping the pygmies kids separated and the other kids separated from their mom.

Thank you Melba! That is a great idea!