I have a 2 part question. First I have been milking with my first doe inconsistently over the last couple of weeks as the little one got bigger and I learned how to milk. I've been milking just enough to make a few batches of soap. I have started separating the baby at night for the last 3 days and am about to feed it to my family I want to make sure I have all the steps so I don't make anyone sick. I am a number and list type of person so here is my list.
1- wash udder with soapy worm water
2- squirt first few squirts on to the ground to remove bacteria
3- milk into stainless steal bowl with no seams
4- stain through a reusable coffee filter
5- put glass jar of milk into refrigerator.
Have I forgot anything?
My second question is. How much of a fluctuation in milk prediction is normal on a day to day basis? The first day I got about a quart and both days since I have gotten a bit less. Down to a bit more then 1/2 a quart this morning. Will it matter the time of day I separate them? The first day I separated from 9pm-9am and the last 2 days I have separated from 6pm-6am. Not sure why I am not getting the same amount every morning.
Thanks guys.
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Jane I think I use the same pail as you and I love it. It is a snug fit under my little FF, but just enough room for me to milk 2 handed from behind and I really liked that. It was easier for me to reach her that way than from the side and I really want to get efficient at milking that way!
Does yours have a flat side and a hook for hanging as well as the handle? If it does that is the type I have! You can't beat that price!
This is the kind I have. I have the 1 and the 2 qt. and wish I had a bunch. They are great for all kinds of things like picking peppers in the garden, hanging water in a dog crate, cleaning solutions for wounds etc, Very nice for the medical kit!
I milk into a stainless steel 2qrt pail from Jeffers Pet Supply - less than $5 from them. They fit under my shortest does, and no worries about the instablity of a bowl. After each doe is milked I gently transfer her milk to a 1/2 gallon jar (or two depending on how many I am milking) when all the does are milked I take it up to the house to strain and chill.
my neighbor gets a quart from FF - sigh......... but! I got two bucks from her last spring. ^^ One from especially excellent milk lines. My FF (profile pic) has a very impressive udder - my neighbor gave a squeeze just to see - she said she had good flow - the other one? She told me "this is not your milk goat". :( cry......
I milk into a jar too. I use a small, short one, and milk one side at a time (alternating between sides) Melissa, my does aren't doing much better than yours... my one with triplets seems to be drying up already... I kept a doeling from her. I sure hope she's got better milking in her than her mom!! lol The other two aren't milking that great, but they both have singles, and for now, I'm chalking it up to that. A
Anyone have experience with brewer's yeast? I've heard it's great for helping with mineral absorption and production.
container to milk in? I take 3 out just in case that foot hits its target ;/ I take out a glass jar to dump the milk in - and milk into a smaller container. My doe is a discouraging milk producer.... not even 2 cups at 12 hours. But her daughter - is my hope - she had triplets so as of yet I have not separated them, but I think it is time - they are 4 weeks tomorrow. She stands on the milkstand like a pro and has great manners.
I have found a great improvement in the quality of my milk since I have been putting the milk bucket into an ice bucket while in the milking room so it is chilling instantly. Putting it into the fridge w/out chilling 1st was not getting it cold enough quickly enough. Oh, & love the typo "worm water"!!! PLEASE don't use " worm" water!
I do (or did, no does in milk this year sadly). I would use the wide-mouth style. I will admit that I'd usually miss a few times until I got my pattern and jar position just right, but I liked that they couldn't step in it as easily and there was less of a chance of debris falling in. I'd milk into a jar, stick it in the cooler, then do the next doe. Then I'd take them in, strain them into new jars, and stick them in the 'fridge or freezer.
However, that was only milking two does. This spring I plan on milking about six, so I'll probably go back to my stainless steel bowl and pour it into a big jar as I go. I hope to get a milking machine soon, though...*fingers crossed* that I'll have one for next spring. Although my friend and fellow goat enthusiast has her milking machine hooked up to glass jars...so who knows, I may still milk into jars! :)
I also prefer glass jars to stainless steel, but I've used both.
I personally like to use a jar per doe and stick it into a cooler with ice or ice packs. I don't have a milking machine yet and am not the fastest hand milker, so I prefer to do that so it doesn't sit out as long. That's not really necessary if you are only milking one doe or if you can milk faster, but it might be an idea if you start milking more than one at some point.
Replies
Jane I think I use the same pail as you and I love it. It is a snug fit under my little FF, but just enough room for me to milk 2 handed from behind and I really liked that. It was easier for me to reach her that way than from the side and I really want to get efficient at milking that way!
Does yours have a flat side and a hook for hanging as well as the handle? If it does that is the type I have! You can't beat that price!
http://www.jefferspet.com/stainless-steel-flat-sided-pails/camid/PE...
This is the kind I have. I have the 1 and the 2 qt. and wish I had a bunch. They are great for all kinds of things like picking peppers in the garden, hanging water in a dog crate, cleaning solutions for wounds etc, Very nice for the medical kit!
I milk into a stainless steel 2qrt pail from Jeffers Pet Supply - less than $5 from them. They fit under my shortest does, and no worries about the instablity of a bowl. After each doe is milked I gently transfer her milk to a 1/2 gallon jar (or two depending on how many I am milking) when all the does are milked I take it up to the house to strain and chill.
my neighbor gets a quart from FF - sigh......... but! I got two bucks from her last spring. ^^ One from especially excellent milk lines. My FF (profile pic) has a very impressive udder - my neighbor gave a squeeze just to see - she said she had good flow - the other one? She told me "this is not your milk goat". :( cry......
I milk into a jar too. I use a small, short one, and milk one side at a time (alternating between sides) Melissa, my does aren't doing much better than yours... my one with triplets seems to be drying up already... I kept a doeling from her. I sure hope she's got better milking in her than her mom!! lol The other two aren't milking that great, but they both have singles, and for now, I'm chalking it up to that. A
Anyone have experience with brewer's yeast? I've heard it's great for helping with mineral absorption and production.
container to milk in? I take 3 out just in case that foot hits its target ;/ I take out a glass jar to dump the milk in - and milk into a smaller container. My doe is a discouraging milk producer.... not even 2 cups at 12 hours. But her daughter - is my hope - she had triplets so as of yet I have not separated them, but I think it is time - they are 4 weeks tomorrow. She stands on the milkstand like a pro and has great manners.
I have found a great improvement in the quality of my milk since I have been putting the milk bucket into an ice bucket while in the milking room so it is chilling instantly. Putting it into the fridge w/out chilling 1st was not getting it cold enough quickly enough. Oh, & love the typo "worm water"!!! PLEASE don't use " worm" water!
I do (or did, no does in milk this year sadly). I would use the wide-mouth style. I will admit that I'd usually miss a few times until I got my pattern and jar position just right, but I liked that they couldn't step in it as easily and there was less of a chance of debris falling in. I'd milk into a jar, stick it in the cooler, then do the next doe. Then I'd take them in, strain them into new jars, and stick them in the 'fridge or freezer.
However, that was only milking two does. This spring I plan on milking about six, so I'll probably go back to my stainless steel bowl and pour it into a big jar as I go. I hope to get a milking machine soon, though...*fingers crossed* that I'll have one for next spring. Although my friend and fellow goat enthusiast has her milking machine hooked up to glass jars...so who knows, I may still milk into jars! :)
Deborah Niemann-Boehle said:
I also prefer glass jars to stainless steel, but I've used both.
I personally like to use a jar per doe and stick it into a cooler with ice or ice packs. I don't have a milking machine yet and am not the fastest hand milker, so I prefer to do that so it doesn't sit out as long. That's not really necessary if you are only milking one doe or if you can milk faster, but it might be an idea if you start milking more than one at some point.
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