| Author |
Barnyard Buddies:  Does anyone milk goats?  |
|
|
Kris Sherrill
True Blue Farmgirl
131 Posts
Kris
Chickamauga
Ga.
USA
131 Posts |
 Posted - Sep 13 2008 : 6:52:24 PM
|
I was wondering if anyone else has dairy goats? Sometimes Iwhen I'm milking I think there are just thousands of others out there doing the same thing. If you do, what kind do you have? Do you hand milk or machine? Do you have a milk room or just milk outside? How many and how long have you milked?
I've only been milking for two years now and I love it. But how do you get to go on vacation or just be gone overnight? I usually wait til mine are dry but that doesn't always work because then it's the dead of winter.
Also, do you bottle feed or dam raise? Lots of questions but I've been wondering about this for awhile and just thought I'd ask.
I've got 4 Lamanchas and 1 Nub-Tog. From 17 months to 6 years old. Next year I'll have 1 more Lamancha to milk.
|
|
|
artbysue
True Blue Farmgirl
218 Posts
Sue
Kidron
Ohio
USA
218 Posts |
Posted - Sep 13 2008 : 6:57:28 PM
|
I had a small herd of dairy goats and milk also a few years ago. I really enjoyed it too. I milked by hand and did not have a special milk room-- nothing fancy but it worked well for us.
I used to go to a web site called fiasco goats (if you goggle those two words I am sure you'll find it) and used the method they wrote of as far as being able to leave kids with the doe and milk.
equine and animal artist, Amish art, www.suesteiner.com www.amish-art.com
www.amulti-coloredlife.blogspot.com
http://www.cafepress.com/suesteiner |
 |
|
|
Aunt Jenny
True Blue Farmgirl
11381 Posts
Jenny
middle of
Utah
USA
11381 Posts |
Posted - Sep 13 2008 : 7:14:10 PM
|
I milked goats for many years before getting my cow a few years ago. I have a small (10X12) wooden shed type barn that my grown son built for me and milk inside there. It has a built in cow stanchion now, but I did have my goat milking stand in there before. ..nice to have a place for everything and be out of the elements for sure!! I always had milked my goats..never had more than two fresh at a time. I just loved my goats. I had Saanens mostly and the occasional Oberhasli for my milk goats, but have had angora and pygmy and Nigerian Dwarf goats too (pets) I still have one silly angora goat..she is my cow's best friend.
What I did (and still do) for vacations when we can get away during the time I am milking (harder with a cow..more people are willing to milk a goat) is to make friends with others who also have goats to milk and trade off. I am lucky to have a sis in law here in town with goats and a friend who also has goats so I have a couple options. Oldest daughter can milk goats too. I don't have anyone at all except husband to help with milking the cow so I have NEVER gone on vacation while she is fresh. This year she will be calving late so I got the summer off from milking. That usually never happens. I will be milking ALL winter...which will be fine I am sure. By spring we will be down to once a day milking (my favorite) and late spring we can dry her up to go on vacation. That is the plan anyway.
If you don't have friends with goats that you trust with YOUR goats (I have been there!!) you could call your local home extension or 4H office and ask if they have any goat project leaders and call them. They may be able to help you or know someone else who could. Good luck!!
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 |
|
|
|
Alee
True Blue Farmgirl
22941 Posts
Alee
Worland
Wy
USA
22941 Posts |
Posted - Sep 13 2008 : 7:23:21 PM
|
I used to milk goats when I worked at the horse ranch! They have Oberhasli goats who are incredibly smart and very sweet. They have a milking shed with a milk stand and we would milk between 6-8 goats.
Alee
Farmgirl Sister #8
www.awarmheart.com
Please come visit Nora and me on our blog: www.farmgirlalee.blogspot.com
Put your pin on the farmgirl map! www.farmgirlmap.blogspot.com |
|
|
|
kmbrown
True Blue Farmgirl
459 Posts
Misty
Waynesboro
Pennsylvania
USA
459 Posts |
Posted - Sep 14 2008 : 04:23:21 AM
|
| Hey kindred spirit. We are just starting our goat dairy. We currently have 3 does, 2 bucks and are expecting kids here in early Oct. We have full bred Nigerian Goats and we are currently working on getting our herd registered with the American Goat Society. We are presently in the process of building a milk shed where we will milk and be able to keep the grain. We have a great little "MUD ROOM" entrance to our house that I have actually made into a kitchen with a gas stove and a counter where I will do all my cream separating and pastuarizing. This year we are going to be experementing with dam raising. I have a 3yr old son, 2yr old son and 4 month old girl and my hubbie works second shift so for me to have to go out and do bottles is really ridiculous! Have you ever done the dam raising...do you have any suggestions on how to wean and go to bottles later? |
|
|
|
Ms.Lilly
True Blue Farmgirl
826 Posts
Lillian
Scotts Mills
OR
USA
826 Posts |
Posted - Sep 14 2008 : 06:34:17 AM
|
This is great! So much information for me! We are wanting to get a couple of goats, but the fencing has to go up first. Thanks girls, I can't wail to read more.
Lillian |
|
|
|
Kris Sherrill
True Blue Farmgirl
131 Posts
Kris
Chickamauga
Ga.
USA
131 Posts |
Posted - Sep 14 2008 : 09:10:24 AM
|
Good morning! Thanks for all you goat people replying. Lots of good stuff.
Sue, I looked at the fiasco site. Very interesting. Lots of great info. And also takes you to other places like raw milk sites.
Alee, I love Oberhasli goats. I just can't hardly tell them apart. They are beautiful.
Jenny, You have Mona the cow? I love her pictures. I got on a site the other day and found out there are lots of people milking beef cows. Mostly Angus. So I'm exited now about my little Cow Baby. I was not really sure what to do with her til I read that. So now I will consider milking her after she weans a calf.
And Misty, good to hear from another kindred spirit. You do have your hands full with little ones. Sounds like fun. And as far as 4 legged kids, I've done it both ways and for sure sold on dam raising. I don't think I'll ever bottle feed again. I did the first time over a year ago because that's what all my mentors said. Take the babies right away! So I did and I really hated it. They'd Knock the bottles out of my hands, jump all over me, it was not a good experience at all, but they are much freindlier though. If you want kids following you all over the place and crying as soon as you walk out the door. On the other hand, dam raised kids aren't as friendly unless you spend time with them, which I did. I let the moms nurse for about 3 weeks and wormed them too, then would put the kids up at night and milked in the morning. Then at about 8 weeks start weaning them. I have another pen across the yard where I put kids. Also it's good to dam raise if you are busy and can't milk twice a day. Just keep the kids on as long as you need to. And about the bottle later, it can be done, it just takes a little time and a lot of patience because they will not take it at first. Just don't give up. They will when they get hungry enough...
|
|
|
|
Aunt Jenny
True Blue Farmgirl
11381 Posts
Jenny
middle of
Utah
USA
11381 Posts |
Posted - Sep 14 2008 : 2:53:33 PM
|
Kris..be sure to visit www.keepingafamilycow.com wonderful cow advice there!!
I forgot to say that I always keep the babies (both goat and cow) WITH the mom for a couple weeks and then separate and bottle feed. I just don't have the heart to separate them at birth..although most people I know do that. With the calves I keep them on the mom and with her and still milk twice a day (and get more than enough milk!) until they go to a new home (I don't have room to have two cows..alas!) so usually 2 weeks...I had last year's heifer calf longer since Libbie hurt her leg and couldn't get her as soon..it worked out fine. With the goats I had no trouble switching them over to bottles.
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 |
|
|
|
kmbrown
True Blue Farmgirl
459 Posts
Misty
Waynesboro
Pennsylvania
USA
459 Posts |
Posted - Sep 14 2008 : 2:54:52 PM
|
| Ok, great to know you've had success with the dam raising. Like you everyone has recommended that we take them right away and bottle feed but considering our personal family situation I just don't see how this is possible without making the goats a bigger priority than my own children! Anyway...when you start weaning them is that when you started the twice a day milking? And how long was it till you had enough milk for yourselves and not just for the kids? Appreciate the input! |
|
|
|
Kris Sherrill
True Blue Farmgirl
131 Posts
Kris
Chickamauga
Ga.
USA
131 Posts |
Posted - Sep 14 2008 : 6:24:17 PM
|
Hey Misty,with 3 children all under 3 I'd dam raise for sure. Then you can just milk when you need it. Yes, when the kids are weaned I go to twice a day until about a month or so after they are bred back. Then about a month before i dry them up I gradually cut back on feed and I don't give them a high protein feed. Like right they are getting a 16% all grain feed with alfalfa pellets and a little 10% sweet feed which some of them like now. And go to once a day then til they are dry. Then just a sweet feed-all grain mix til they freshen. Then we start all over again!
I will be breeding mine the first of Nov. then Dec. start cutting back. Then they should be dried up by Feb. Then I have a few free months.
Right now I'm still feeding the two calves. They are almost 12 and 9 weeks. As long as I have the milk I might as well feed them. I am gradually slowing that down now, though. It's lots of work. Then I got 4 piglets that get a little, too, now.
As long as i have good mothers I will probably not bottle feed again. It's just way too much work. And the kids are so much healthier and happy, too
With 5 goats we have plenty of milk and I also have some customers.
Jenny, I love the family cow forum. It's a lot of fun, too. Thanks.
I know what you mean about not having the heart to separate them. I cried the first time i did it and so many times almost took them back. It's sad. But it seemed like the mothers didn't really care after a day or two. |
|
|
|
Aunt Jenny
True Blue Farmgirl
11381 Posts
Jenny
middle of
Utah
USA
11381 Posts |
Posted - Sep 14 2008 : 9:32:19 PM
|
Yep. Mona always dosn't make a sound the first day we take the calf away (all the way OFF the property while she is being milked and can't see) but the next day she bellows and calls all day. It breaks my heart. She gets alot of attention and treats that day and then it is over and she never seems sad even after that. I still feel guilty but I just don't have room for more than one cow. (well, unless I didn't keep my two sheep and I can't do THAT!!)Even when her calf is still with her I still milk her twice a day though. I can be more flexible with times for sure but I still do the twice a day...I was getting 6 gallons a day and her feeding a 12 week old calf last year!!! She was up to 8 1/2 gallons at peak..yikes!! When she is down to 4 gallons a day I gradually get her down to one milking a day.
With the goats I milked twice a day at first after the first day or two and then once a day until the babies were gone. It does keep the milk up and her used to the routine. With the cow there is just way too much milk otherwise..you HAVE to milk. Maybe not with a beef cow though.
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 |
Edited by - Aunt Jenny on Sep 14 2008 9:35:12 PM |
|
|
|
Niamh
True Blue Farmgirl
140 Posts
Idaho
140 Posts |
Posted - Sep 14 2008 : 9:54:30 PM
|
I have three children, four years old and under. I have four milk goats. I couldn't do it if I didn't leave the kids on their mommas. I've been told that I'd get more milk if I took them off, and I believe it - I just don't need it.
For me, the tradeoff is clear.
Taking them off:
-Now I have to milk twice a day like clockwork.
-Now I have to feed the babies three times a day, then two, then once a day. Like clockwork.
-Now I have kids that are too people friendly and I can't bear to part with.
-I'm too tender to take the babies away - breaks my heart.
-Hard for us out in the boonies to find a relief milker.
Leaving them on:
-Now I milk once a day, when I need milk.
-I don't have to feed babies.
-Babies are sweet but respectful.
-No relief milker.
-I don't feel the stress of being required to milk/feed babies on top of the rest of the farm and parenting.
For me, in my situation, that's the ideal way right now.
www.localfoodblog.blogspot.com |
|
|
|
Aunt Jenny
True Blue Farmgirl
11381 Posts
Jenny
middle of
Utah
USA
11381 Posts |
Posted - Sep 15 2008 : 08:43:54 AM
|
Sounds perfect for you Niamh!! And with 4 goats that would be a whole lot of milk anyhow!!!
I bet you still get plenty!
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 |
|
|
|
horse
True Blue Farmgirl
371 Posts
laura
pontotoc
mississippi
USA
371 Posts |
Posted - Sep 15 2008 : 7:09:39 PM
|
I have a Nubian and a Toggenburg that I milked twice a day. I bottle feed my little ones. I have an extra stall that I put my goats in to milk. I do have a milk stand that I put them on. The boys have been saying they were going to build me a new one but I'm not holding my breath.lol
Laura
www.2lmzfarms.blogspot.com |
|
|
|
Nigella
True Blue Farmgirl
386 Posts
Nigella
Chimacum
WA
USA
386 Posts |
Posted - Sep 16 2008 : 12:03:57 PM
|
I was milking my Alpine Daisy just a few months ago, I hand milked. I tried a milking machine but soon gave up on it- too noisy and too much work for just one goat besides milking one goat can be so theraputic.
-------------------------
If the ways is long
Let your heart be strong
Keep right on 'round the bend
Though you're tired and weary
Still journey on to your happy abode
Where all that you love
And are dreaming of
Will be there at the end of the road.
-Laura Ingalls Wilder |
|
|
|
Brew Crew
True Blue Farmgirl
676 Posts
Molly
Arizona
676 Posts |
|
|
Kris Sherrill
True Blue Farmgirl
131 Posts
Kris
Chickamauga
Ga.
USA
131 Posts |
Posted - Sep 17 2008 : 08:46:13 AM
|
I sure agree on the thinking time, too. Get a lot of that done.
But what is wrong with my girls lately??? They are acting so crazy and are so mean to each other. I think they must be in heat, but i can't remember them acting like this last year at all. They are all over each other, head butting. In fact, I have a doe that used to have about 4" horns from a bad disbudding and now is hornless! She came in the other night just dripping blood and had only little nubs.
Which is fine because they looked really funny. I hope this does not last long because I don't want to breed them till Nov.
So what do ya'll do with the milk besides drink it? Any cheese makers? I will start making hard cheese when I wean the calves in a few weeks. Can't wait!!
If anyone has a farmhouse cheese recipe, I'd love to have it. When I ordered cultures, I got a farmhouse one and didn't get a recipe. |
|
|
|
Aunt Jenny
True Blue Farmgirl
11381 Posts
Jenny
middle of
Utah
USA
11381 Posts |
Posted - Sep 17 2008 : 10:45:30 AM
|
I make mozzarella and ricotta cheese and did the same when I had goats. I havn't tried hard cheeses yet. This year for sure.
You can find wonderful recipes at The New England Cheesemaking supply website...not sure of the address. I have a book called "Goats produce too" with good recipes too. By Gladys Toth I think. I know the Gladys is right. I will correct that last name later if I got it wrong.
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 |
|
|
|
mommakatof2
True Blue Farmgirl
62 Posts
nieki
dalhart
texas
USA
62 Posts |
Posted - Sep 17 2008 : 3:08:44 PM
|
| I had a nubian for awhile, but I had to move and sell her. It about killed me to do that, but since we've made it to colorado I've already been talking to a couple of breeders..I loved to milk, it was my only time just to myself and my husband use to laugh at me, cause I'd sit there and carry on a conversation with my goat. I hope everyone enjoys there girls......! |
|
|
|
horse
True Blue Farmgirl
371 Posts
laura
pontotoc
mississippi
USA
371 Posts |
Posted - Sep 19 2008 : 03:46:29 AM
|
Kris, you know that you can pour regular black pepper on where their horns were if they are bleeding. Just pour it in there and it will stop the bleeding. I don't like using alot of medicines they have on the market, I try to use home remedies.
Laura
Farmgirl Sister #354
www.2lmzfarms.blogspot.com |
|
|
|
sandraw
Farmgirl at Heart
1 Posts
Sandra
Rigby
ID
USA
1 Posts |
Posted - Sep 19 2008 : 06:23:09 AM
|
| I have a small herd of angoras and 1 soon to be 2 Alpines. I too enjoy everything about them, except maybe the part where they tie me down. |
|
|
|
Kris Sherrill
True Blue Farmgirl
131 Posts
Kris
Chickamauga
Ga.
USA
131 Posts |
Posted - Sep 19 2008 : 06:40:05 AM
|
Thanks Laura, I will give that a try next time that happens. They are still going at it but not as bad. I just hope they can wait til Nov.
And Sandra, I totally agree on the being tied down. I don't go anywhere anymore. But that's my choice. My family just comes here for holidays!!
Jenny, I have the book. I just had gotten a cheese press from Hoegger and made my first hard cheese of the year!!!! It sure is a lot easier than trying to balance bricks and a ton of books on top for weights! I love it. I'll have to go weigh it. I used 3 gallons of milk. I don't think I can get much more in the press.
It weighs 3 1/4 lbs. Not bad.
And the pigs love the whey, too.
If any one needs 2 cute 6 month old Lamancha doelings, I need to downsize.
|
|
|
|
5 acre Farmgirl
True Blue Farmgirl
1007 Posts
~~~*Terri*~~~
WA.
USA
1007 Posts |
Posted - Sep 21 2008 : 11:58:19 PM
|
Goatees! I had 60 at once upon a time...we had a Goatee Dairy....over 100 kids at one time, but, alas, none now and BOY!!! do I miss my girls....We hand milked for years, then, found a old Surge milk machine, that hubby fixed and what a blessing....still can hand milk though,....cheese, yogurt, sour cream, and so on....
Missing the Friends in my goatee Girls....
Farmgirls are Farmgirls no matter where or how we live.....
http://frocksfrillsfurbiloesandmore.blogspot.com |
|
|
|
Aunt Jenny
True Blue Farmgirl
11381 Posts
Jenny
middle of
Utah
USA
11381 Posts |
Posted - Sep 22 2008 : 06:57:20 AM
|
I use a surge milker for my cow now. I milked her by hand at first...but she gives ALOT of milk!! (8 gallons a day at peak last year!) It does help. I bought my re-built and have loved it the past two years!
Hey Sandra..welcome to the group!!! I have just one spoiled rotten angora doe now. I love goat personalities and will probably always have at least one..just for the entertainment value!!
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 |
|
|
| |
Barnyard Buddies: Does anyone milk goats? |
|
Does anyone milk goats?
