| T O P I C R E V I E W |
| shepherdgirl |
Posted - Jun 16 2009 : 11:08:29 AM
I FINALLY started milking one of my goats! Well... I HAD to really. I had to remove her son and one other little buck that from the herd, and I can't risk her getting an infection, so now I have to milk her. It's pretty funny actually. She's very short, but built like a COW!  She has this HUGE udder and the teats to match-- it's very MUCH like milking a cow!
I have her tied in the barn for now and, since I can't get to my milk stand I have to pin her head between my knees so I'm facing her backside, scoop that big ol' udder INTO the bucket (I don't have one short enough, and she puts her FEET inside if I use a feed pan) and milk her that way. She kicks and complains, but it gets the job done.
I have a big question for those in the know though-- I don't know how to "Dry her off." Any suggestions from you expert milkers on how to do this? I'm milking her once a day right now. Thanks! Now I'm off to milk my VERY TINY "COW"!!!! ~~ Tracy
Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take, but by the moments that take our breath away. ~~ George Carlin |
| 14 L A T E S T R E P L I E S (Newest First) |
| shepherdgirl |
Posted - Jun 19 2009 : 5:05:07 PM
Thanks Grace! And it's nice to know we aren't the ONLY odd balls on the planet, huh?
Being a Medical Assistant by trade, and having severe drug allergies myself has taught me a thing or two about Medications and their NAAAAASTY side affects. I figure if all that happens to HUMANS, why would it NOT happen to animals? It's the SAME companies making the SAME drugs whether the one taking them has TWO legs or FOUR!
Besides, most of my animals live to a ripe old age here -- unless they die in an accident or develop a serious illness that no amount of doctoring on my part, OR my vets, can save them-- ie: two dogs, and a horse that have died from cancer. We even had a pair of Geriatiric rats!!! They lived to be FOUR YEARS OLD!!!! Most deaths here have occured at birth. RARELY do I lose an adult animal to illness. In fact, I think the last one was in 2004. (I'm not counting the Chickens or the Cats-- 'cause we all know what happens to chickens and cats!)
My first Babydoll ram died after I gave him a BAD worm medicine that I did not KNOW was bad. The same stuff had actually poisoned one of my older ewes (she died three days after I gave it to her, though her symptoms showed up within hours of dosing) and eventually killed my ram as well. They were the only two in my flock that I gave that wormer to, (THANK GOD!!). Af first, I had no idea that it was the wormer that had made my ewe sick, and what had killed her. Not making the connection, I gave the same wormer to my ram a few months later. He got HORRIBLY sick the day I wormed him, recovered some a bit after a loooong horrible week, but still, he died several months later despite my best efforts.
So, I guess you all can understand my reluctance to care for my animals in the "traditional" way. Like you Grace, I've had MUCH better luck letting nature take care of things here. I run mostly on instinct and it seems to be working. Everyone is bright eyed and bushy tailed and determined to out live ME!!! (LOL!!!) Happy Friday! ~~~ Tracy
Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take, but by the moments that take our breath away. ~~ George Carlin |
| grace gerber |
Posted - Jun 19 2009 : 07:50:08 AM
Jenny I loved raising Icelandics and Tracy we started with Babydolls which are still my fav's. I just love their happy faces and their spongy fiber. I agree with your 70 yr old Vet - My death rate is not even on the charts compared to those around me who are on the shot rotation merry go round. I too believe that just like in humans we have taken away the bodies ability to care for itself. But that is just me - I believe you are entitled to do what you want but since adopting this management style I have never lost an animal to bloat, overeating, worms, and the other host of illness that seem to be common at farms. I also have never had foot issues, lice issues or fly but again I am dear friends who which to debate this till the cows drop over. However you wish to raise your animals works for you and I just wish you all great success. Keep sharing those wonderful stories - I thought I was the only one having animals between my knees....
Grace Gerber
Larkspur Funny Farm and Fiber Art Studio
Where the spirits are high and the fiber is deep
http://www.larkspurfunnyfarm.etsy.com
http://larkspurfunnyfarm.blogspot.com
|
| shepherdgirl |
Posted - Jun 18 2009 : 6:49:49 PM
I think I would die if I had to shear my sheep TWICE A YEAR Aunt Jenny!!!! My Babydolls are a dual purpose breed-- they produce wool AND meat, so I think their wool is slower growing than your little Iclandics.
My sheep get their "Pedicures," worming and shots then too, IF they need it -- though I do not give shots to my adults every single year. I, personally, believe it's overkill (and my 70+yr old Vet agrees with me-- "OFF the record" of course!!!) ALL of my babies get their shots, and, if anyone gets sick or injured, they get boosters of tetanus and whatever else they might need as well. I just don't **vaccinate** them every single year. So far it's worked for my ever expanding flock. I have VERY HEALTHY animals!! Probably 'cause the weak would never survive here! (LOL!!!!)
Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take, but by the moments that take our breath away. ~~ George Carlin |
| Aunt Jenny |
Posted - Jun 17 2009 : 8:30:33 PM
My sheep are Icelandic..not very big either..but I sure have to have help getting them up on the stand...oldest daughter and sometimes husband help me. Getting them back down is a peice of cake...haha. I use hand shears too. Always have. I only have two sheep and one angora goat right now. Gosh...sure takes me a whole lot longer with the hand shears...I set up under the big old apple tree and it takes me at least an hour to do each one. I do their shots, worming if needed and hoof trimming all at the same time. Mine get sheared spring and fall.
Jenny in Utah
Proud Farmgirl sister #24
Inside me there is a skinny woman crying to get out...but I can usually shut her up with cookies
http://www.auntjennysworld.blogspot.com/ visit my little online shop at www.auntjenny.etsy.com |
| shepherdgirl |
Posted - Jun 17 2009 : 8:02:34 PM
WOW! What great responses from you all! Thank you SOOOO MUCH ladies!!!!!!
I didn't really think you meant for me to STARVE my goat Kris. I haven't been feeding her any grain at all. I had thought about getting her some, but, since I don't want to milk her FOREVER, I thought better of it. Plus, the bag I picked up and put in my basket the other day had this weird film on it (looked like mold) and I thought of what happened to.... was it YOUR goats Kris that got the bad grain? Anyway, I didn't want to take the chance so I put it back. Kitty only gets plain pasture grass hay, nothing else.
Aunt Jenny, I can't shear my sheep the "Real" way either. They are little sheep (Babydolls), but still 100+lbs each and I don't have the strength to roll them around and shear them all over. I'd have to PICK THEM UP to put them on the milk stand my husband made-- it's so TALL!!! And besides, I don't think I could get their fat heads in the stanchion ... even if I COULD get to my milk stand. (long story. Sort of like "I know an old Woman who swallowed a fly" sort of story LOL!!)
Grace- I do use the electric clippers-- and I can understand why you don't. The vibration can be pretty bad even on a hand that's never been broken! I've gotten pretty good with them over the years and I can get a sheep done in about 5 minutes, at least MOST of the sheep-- then I spend another 10-15 minutes clipping the nasty stuff off their bellies and legs, and around their necks and tails with blocking shears. Call me a CHICKEN with those electric clippers, but I try to avoid all the "Vulnerable" places with them! And I DO get the job done! Not PRETTY, but it gets done!
Speaking of Chickens, I'm glad you were able to find out what your hen is Kris. The only reason I thought of the Welsummer was because I had a couple of those hens (and a rooster or two) myself a few years ago and I remember that they had just started laying when they disappeared. I was really bummed and I kept those eggs for a long time. I think I finally threw them away 'cause they started to smell (that's why you need to BLOW THEM OUT if you're going to save them!). I was fascinated by their unusual color.
Anyway, thanks again ladies. I really appreciate it-- and I'm glad I could give a few of you a good LAUGH!!! Farmgirl sister hugs ~~~ Tracy
Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take, but by the moments that take our breath away. ~~ George Carlin |
| grace gerber |
Posted - Jun 17 2009 : 07:17:23 AM
I must say that was a great giggle this morning reading your milking procedure. I agree no starving. What I found helpful is also keep the goat away from babies and boys. This gives the hormones a chance to settle down. Spacing the milking is mother natures way of telling the body to slow down and stop.
If you do not like the way the milk tastes alot of is comes from diet. If you feed grass that has weeds in it that will add a taste to the milk that is not great. Also goat's milk tastes best when really cold. I tell you what you can make with that milk - fudge. I do it all the time and sold it for years. You can really use up that milk and never taste the "Goat" flavor. If not, those dogs and chickens will love your efforts.
I stopped using electric shears after I broke my hand - the vibration made my hand spaz out and I would drop the shears, not something you want to do, so for the past 11 years I use teflon coated scissors - that was for all 175 animals - sheep, goats, llamas and alpacas. I think I got the best fiber production that way - may be slower but I did not get seconds and the animal and I worked on trust and patience.
Good luck
Grace Gerber
Larkspur Funny Farm and Fiber Art Studio
Where the spirits are high and the fiber is deep
http://www.larkspurfunnyfarm.etsy.com
http://larkspurfunnyfarm.blogspot.com
|
| kristin sherrill |
Posted - Jun 17 2009 : 07:04:43 AM
And if you have chickens they love the milk. Mine get all the leftover or old milk and they love it. They also like it a little curdled, too.
Kris
Happiness is simple. |
| kristin sherrill |
Posted - Jun 17 2009 : 07:03:37 AM
Tracy, no, I did not mean starve the poor goat! Only during the milking with the grain. And that's just to keep them still and busy while they are being milked basically. I should have been more specific there, but Aunt Jenny caught that. Thanks, Jenny! I only feed mine grain at milking time, too. When I dry them off they don't get it anymore till a few weeks before they kid. And my cats and dogs get the first few squirts of the milk. If I give my lab too much milk it makes him sick and he gets the runs bad. So he only gets a little.
I had sheep before and the last one I had me and my friend put her up on her stanchion and I had a pair of hand shears and she had regular scissors. She got on one side and me on the other and we had her all sheared in an hour. Not too shabby for a couple of ole farmgirls, huh?
And I still can't picture milking a small goat like that, Tracy. I have heard of milking from behind but not on top.
You should have seen my goat Ocho yesterday morning. She did look like a cow she was that big. I weighed it when I was done and it was almost 7 pounds of milk! That's about a 1/2 gallon plus a pint or so. Not bad for one milking.
Oh and my hen is a Welsummer, Tracy. She looks exactly like the pictures. A rare breed, too. The roo is also Welsummer. So thanks for your help.
Kris
Happiness is simple. |
| Aunt Jenny |
Posted - Jun 16 2009 : 11:49:53 PM
I think Kristin meant to cut out the feed that you give her while you are milking...like grain or supplements...not hay or grass. Not to starve her. I have had goats and my cow too..who are hard to dry off. I usually just start making the milkings further and further apart (and only give about 1/2 to 2/3 the usual grain and supplements at milking time and ONLY at milking time) until they are only every third day and then stop. I usually go down to milking once a day at about 5 months after freshening and milk 4 or 5 months that way before drying off. Depends on the year, and alot of things..like vacation and stuff too. Good luck.
I use a goat milking stand for shearing my sheep. I have tried to do it the "real" way like in the books, but I am just not that coordinated. I think whatever works for us..be it milking, shearing or anything is good. You should see the hoof trimming job I do on Mona..it works but is just such a slow chipping away with a nipper..not the usual way a real farmer would do it..but then she doesn't have to endure a squeeze chute or anything scary either. She stands very still in her stanchion for trimming a little each day after milking time.
Farmgirls find a way to get things done, don't we?
Jenny in Utah
Proud Farmgirl sister #24
Inside me there is a skinny woman crying to get out...but I can usually shut her up with cookies
http://www.auntjennysworld.blogspot.com/ visit my little online shop at www.auntjenny.etsy.com |
| shepherdgirl |
Posted - Jun 16 2009 : 10:41:51 PM
Oh, and Marly, would anyone REALLY be that interested in how I milk a goat? But, if you like THAT description-- you should see how I shear my poor SHEEP!!!! Now THAT might be worth writing about! It's sort of like I milk the goat, only I tie them to the fence with a halter -- those electric shears are WICKED tools and it's best not to get too close. I LIKE having 5 fingers on each hand and, yeah, while I COULD lose a pound (or 50) of flesh, I'd rather do it the old fashioned way, thank you very much!
I've gotten pretty good at NOT cutting the sheep to ribbons, but one of them (or more) ALWAYS pees down my leg, which runs into my shoe (one of these days I will remember just what those HOT PINK rubber boots sitting by my back door are for), and, by the time I'm done, the lot of them look like a flock of demented POODLES! NOT a pretty sight.... but, I get the job done!!! he! he! he! Have a good night ladies! ~~~~ Dr. Demento
Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take, but by the moments that take our breath away. ~~ George Carlin |
| shepherdgirl |
Posted - Jun 16 2009 : 10:38:14 PM
You mean I have to STARVE her? My poor Kitty. I don't think I can do that. I might just have to milk her FOREVER!!!!! I'm not feeding her any grain if that makes a difference. Just plain old pasture hay. She was running with the other goats, but they have access to green pasture (with clover) and all the food they can eat. I thought it might help if I controlled the AMOUNT she was eating. Am I wrong then? sigh.....
I have her tied because she's a bit of a WILD WOMAN and hard to catch -- and YES! Marly, I DO milk her "upside down!" I rest my cheek on her back and milk her with both hands. Not a pretty sight, I must say... and I get a lot of milk in my SHOE 'cause I can't see what I'm doing. (LOL!) When she starts to "Do the Dance" as you say Kristen, it's easy for me to grab her feet and put them back on the ground, though she does manage to get one in there now and then.
Milking a goat, Marly, is not that much different than milking a cow. The only difference is a cow has FOUR teats --(and is MUCH bigger of course)-- instead of just TWO like a goat. Oh, and Kitty-Kat (No, I didn't name her) is a Nigerian Dwarf. About knee high to my 5'2," in case you all are wondering how I could manage to straddle a goat and milk it upside down!
As for drinking it... no. I give it to Eli, my LGD. He LOVES it!!! I tried to feed it to Cash, my Jersey bull calf, but he wouldn't drink it either. It kinda smells funny. Like goat. But it's not going to waste. The dog enjoys it. I know, I know Kris!!! I hear you saying "NOOOOOOOO," but no one here will drink it. I guess it's an aquired taste. Besides, I'm not set up for actual milking. I don't have the test kits to check for icky things so... for now it will be a part of Eli's daily repast. Maybe it will help with the "crankies" he's been suffering from lately.
Thanks for the advice Kris. I'll check into that "Tomorrow." I've seen it at the feed store, so I know I can get it there. ~~~Tracy
Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take, but by the moments that take our breath away. ~~ George Carlin |
| kristin sherrill |
Posted - Jun 16 2009 : 2:05:32 PM
Well Tracy, I can't even picture how you milked that goat. It sounds like you would have to milk her upside down from that position. Hmm. I bet she was doing the dance.
To answer the drying off question, if you're just milking her once a day now you would just gradually cut the feed down for a week or so then milk her out really good and don't milk her for 3 days with no feed. Then milk her out again really good with no feed then wait 3 more days. She should be slowing down by then. If she doesn't then you might need to get something called Tomorrow and put that up in her teats as per the directions. I have had to do that on a few of mine that take forever to dry up. But stopping the feed makes them dry up quite a bit. Do you not like goat milk? You should try it, you might like it then you wouldn't need to dry her up. Good luck.
Kris
Happiness is simple. |
| Bear5 |
Posted - Jun 16 2009 : 11:22:30 AM
Tracy:
I forgot to say: Your post was so descriptive about how you went about milking your goat. You should write a short story about that. LOL
Marly
"It's only when we truly know and understand that we have a limited time on earth- and that we have no way of knowing when our time is up- that we will begin to live each day to the fullest, as if it was the only one we had." Elisabeth Kurler-Ross |
| Bear5 |
Posted - Jun 16 2009 : 11:21:30 AM
Sounds like you got the job done. Well done. I would have no idea how to milk a goat. But, I would learn if I had the chance. I have milked a cow. But that's been super long ago.
Marly
"It's only when we truly know and understand that we have a limited time on earth- and that we have no way of knowing when our time is up- that we will begin to live each day to the fullest, as if it was the only one we had." Elisabeth Kurler-Ross |
|
|
