I really like that solution, M.K.! I think I'd try two leashes, and secured to the back end of the stanchion. If you used cheap leads (I'm thinking that the leashes from the Dollar Tree would work) you could cut them to size, and tie a knot to make your loop at the end... then you could clip into an eye bolt or something like that at the end of the stanchion. Either one leash for each leg, or a single like she shows. I haven't had a kicker yet, but when I do, I love this idea!! Thanks for sharing!
I was milking one handed, and becoming increasingly cross with my doe. Our first milkings were not positive experiences. This setup with a dog leash immediately solved my problem. Before I tried it, I thought it looked a little harsh, but it is not. ( I previously ordered from Hoegger's the pricy velcro contraption that they claim will stop kicking, but it doesn't seem to fit a small goat at all. - completely useless on my goat. )
This leash suggestion shown at the link, however works great. You will need a high place to clip the end. I milk in a re-purposed chain link dog kennel, so no problem with that. Now, the milk "bucket" is set down on the stand just infront of the udder, and I milk fast with both hands.
I use a small bucket, stainless steel with no seams (bacteria can lodge in the seams) and either hold it in one hand while milking the other (somewhat less cooperative doe) or set it on the milkstand just in front of the udder (completely cooperative doe). I do worry a bit about setting the bucket on the stand because, even though I scrub it with soap and hot water after emptying the milk into the strainer, I wonder if some bacteria from the milkstand can contaminate my milking equipment anyway. I don't wash the stand between milkings. I think the bucket came from Jeffers.
I have a 10-ounce cup with a large handle (like for all four fingers) that I milk into. I use one for pre-milk stripping and another for milking and post-milk stripping. When I milk by hand, I have a container, usually a fruit jar, that I regularly pour the milk into so if the cup gets knocked out of my hand that only a small amount of milk gets lost. Early on, I had a small bucket I used under my doe (like with a cow) but learned very quickly that was not going to work. Feet go into buckets, buckets get knocked over - using the term "bucket" here for any container you are milking into that you are not physically holding in your hand. I would empty the cup frequently because even holding it, accidents happen with an uncooperative doe. My girl, first time milking for both of us, thought that after the first few minutes it was her job to manage to step into the milk! For the container to receive the milk from the cup, I put a bracket on the milk stand (above the goat shoulder level!) to hold the jar so it could not get knocked over. We humans can also knock the milk container over. <g>
With the milker, I just set the milk bucket on a stool beside the milk stand since I don't use the stool, don't want it on the floor and don't want the doe bumping into it.
(Initially, when I hand-milked only, I tried to milk both teats at once, but that didn't work for me since my senior doe was so difficult to milk with her very small teats. After a year of using only one hand, and needing the other hand to hold the receiving cup, I just didn't change for the hand-milking times.)
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I really like that solution, M.K.! I think I'd try two leashes, and secured to the back end of the stanchion. If you used cheap leads (I'm thinking that the leashes from the Dollar Tree would work) you could cut them to size, and tie a knot to make your loop at the end... then you could clip into an eye bolt or something like that at the end of the stanchion. Either one leash for each leg, or a single like she shows. I haven't had a kicker yet, but when I do, I love this idea!! Thanks for sharing!
Just for kicks:
I hope it is OK to post links? http://invitationtothebutterflyball.blogspot.com/2012/08/how-i-stop...
I was milking one handed, and becoming increasingly cross with my doe. Our first milkings were not positive experiences. This setup with a dog leash immediately solved my problem. Before I tried it, I thought it looked a little harsh, but it is not. ( I previously ordered from Hoegger's the pricy velcro contraption that they claim will stop kicking, but it doesn't seem to fit a small goat at all. - completely useless on my goat. )
This leash suggestion shown at the link, however works great. You will need a high place to clip the end. I milk in a re-purposed chain link dog kennel, so no problem with that. Now, the milk "bucket" is set down on the stand just infront of the udder, and I milk fast with both hands.
It doesn't have to be frustrating.
I use a small bucket, stainless steel with no seams (bacteria can lodge in the seams) and either hold it in one hand while milking the other (somewhat less cooperative doe) or set it on the milkstand just in front of the udder (completely cooperative doe). I do worry a bit about setting the bucket on the stand because, even though I scrub it with soap and hot water after emptying the milk into the strainer, I wonder if some bacteria from the milkstand can contaminate my milking equipment anyway. I don't wash the stand between milkings. I think the bucket came from Jeffers.
I use a bucket now, and milk into it, placing the bucket just in front of, and underneath my doe's udder.
I have a 10-ounce cup with a large handle (like for all four fingers) that I milk into. I use one for pre-milk stripping and another for milking and post-milk stripping. When I milk by hand, I have a container, usually a fruit jar, that I regularly pour the milk into so if the cup gets knocked out of my hand that only a small amount of milk gets lost. Early on, I had a small bucket I used under my doe (like with a cow) but learned very quickly that was not going to work. Feet go into buckets, buckets get knocked over - using the term "bucket" here for any container you are milking into that you are not physically holding in your hand. I would empty the cup frequently because even holding it, accidents happen with an uncooperative doe. My girl, first time milking for both of us, thought that after the first few minutes it was her job to manage to step into the milk! For the container to receive the milk from the cup, I put a bracket on the milk stand (above the goat shoulder level!) to hold the jar so it could not get knocked over. We humans can also knock the milk container over. <g>
With the milker, I just set the milk bucket on a stool beside the milk stand since I don't use the stool, don't want it on the floor and don't want the doe bumping into it.
(Initially, when I hand-milked only, I tried to milk both teats at once, but that didn't work for me since my senior doe was so difficult to milk with her very small teats. After a year of using only one hand, and needing the other hand to hold the receiving cup, I just didn't change for the hand-milking times.)