So since I got Tulip and Star back from Jen, I've been milking each evening. Jen had recently stopped milking them, because she thought they were bred and due to kid in January (or was it December?)
Anywho, the day we went to pick them up they were in heat, so we knew they weren't bred and I started milking them again. I started out getting about a quart between the two of them, sometimes a little more, sometimes a little less.
About 2 weeks it had dwindled down to less than a pint between the two.
During their peak production with me they were giving anywhere between 3.5 to 6 lbs a day (each) depending on if I was milking once or twice a day.
About 2 weeks it had dwindled down to less than a pint between the two.
During their peak production with me they were giving anywhere between 3.5 to 6 lbs a day (each) depending on if I was milking once or twice a day.
Now you may be asking yourself this question.....A PINT BETWEEN TWO GOATS?? WHY IN NAME OF CORN ON THE COB WERE YOU BOTHERING FOR A PINT BETWEEN TWO GOATS!!
Gee whizikins, calm down and I'll tell you!
It's because.........I truly love milking.....there I said it.
Some people who keep dairy animals may not particularly enjoy the day to day milking aspect of things, but they really enjoy the end product of fresh, raw milk.
I am one of those odd people who love milking. I find it very relaxing and very calming, (unless I'm breaking a cantankerous new doe to the pail that is). I especially enjoy milking in the winter time. I love the steamy stream of the milk into the pail and I LOVE cuddling up next to that warm, goat-ish body when it's cold!
I used the last of the milk two Sunday mornings ago before church to make homemade ice cream and I immediately began having milk withdrawls, and milking pains.....
Never fear though, I'm pretty Star is k-knockened-up and will be kidding the end of March. That means by the 2nd week of April I'll be back to milking! For now I just have to enjoy sitting in the barn and scratching Tulip's hind end for hours......it's a fitting substitute for milking I think, and I know she does!
And please excuse the age of the pictures................since my girls aren't in milk, I don't have any current ones, but that will be remedied this spring! :)
Until next time..............I remain yours in Christ,
I love milking too! It is calming!! We are about 15 days from first possible due date!! It will kick off the 9 does a-kidding! :) We will have lots of milk.. and I get to pick up my #10 around the middle of February..
ReplyDeleteWhoo girl! 9 does! It's wonderful isn't it? :)
DeleteYay! Glad you will be able to return to something you enjoy so much. Do you notice a difference in the fresh goat milk taste vs. cow milk? I LOVE goats, but I've had a hard time convincing the hubby I *need* a dairy goat. We drink cow's milk all the time, but unfortunately have also had some distinctly unpleasant goats milk before. The storebought is gross beyond gross, but I also bought fresh goat's milk from a local family and it was also "goaty" when we poured a cold glass upon returning home. I made cheese out of the rest of it, but couldn't even eat the cheese because it had such a distinct flavor. I'd love to hear your experiences- I learn so much from my farm blog friends! :)
ReplyDeleteI LOVE converting people over to goats milk! Ok, so you are exactly right, the store stuff is DISGUSTING, and I've also had some "goaty" milk from other people. Do you know what kind of goats the milk came from? The Swiss breeds have much stronger tasting milk. Think Alpines, Toggenburgs, and that type. I've had Lamancha milk warm straight out of the goat and it was sweet, creamy and delicious. I have Kinder goats which are a cross between Nubian and Pygmy. I've also had Saanen milk, and it's good, but not nearly as rich as the Kinders or Nubians. It's also a lot in the way you handle the milk. Getting it cold as soon as possible and keeping it that way. Also not housing your buck too close to your does. A lot of people will say they can't even be on the same farm, but that's rubbish. I used to keep my buck locked up in his barn during the day and my girls out in the pasture. Then I'd lock the girls up at night and the buck was turned out at night. I never had a problem with "bucky" milk. I promise you, if you got some good goat milk, handled the proper way, you'd love it. It is so delicious. I've kept yogurt made from our fresh raw milk in the fridge for over a month and it was still delicious with no goat flavor. A few weeks ago I brought milk to work to let my co-workers try it. Some weren't brave enough, but those that did said it was delicious, sweet and good!
ReplyDeleteThat pint is worth it! LOL. I love my goats milk and despair when all the does are dry. My goal is to keep four Kinder does and only breed four each year. That will give me two to milk through the winter months. You idea of alternating bucks and does in the pasture and barn is an interesting one. Also have to agree about good goat milk. Ours is soooo creamy and sweet!
ReplyDeleteThat's a great idea Leigh and is my ultimate plan as well. Alternating the bucks and does worked out WONDERFULLY for me. I never had to worry about accidental breeding, and they all got the use of the pasture. My buck barn was converted out of an old wooden garage. We left the garage door on it, then put siding about halfway up on the outside. At the top we put a cattle panel. In the summer, during the day while the boys were locked in, I would raise the door up, so they could get the breeze really well. We also had a fan in there. Then like I said, the girls got locked in their barn for the night and the boys were out all night, with the door to their barn open if they wanted to go in. In the morning, the boys got shut back up in their barn and the girls went out. That's my plan with Ollie as well once the girls kid. Either that or we'll just build him a small paddock and surround it with hot wire for the day. Then he'll still get turned out to the big pasture at night and the girls will be penned up. You can sort of see a picture of the buck barn here
Deletehttp://www.goodwifefarm.blogspot.com/search/label/goats?updated-max=2010-04-30T09:22:00-06:00&max-results=20&start=16&by-date=false
It's over at the left side of the picture. Of course that was our place in IL and we don't live there anymore!
Oops that didn't work. If you click on this link, it's the first picture over on the left side of the picture.
Deletehttp://www.goodwifefarm.blogspot.com/2010/04/great-weekend-and-introducing-ie-circus.html
Thanks for the information! The local farm that we purchased from had Saanen goats, but I am not sure if they kept bucks nearby or about how they handled it. It was given to us in a gallon jar chilled. Maybe I can find another farm with Lamancha or Nubians. My husband and I both really enjoy goat's personality and antics. I also want to try the difference between cow milk- like Jersey or Guernsey vs. Holstein because I am curious about the difference in taste. Thanks again!
ReplyDeletePlease do try again! If you lived close enough to me, I'd gladly bring you some to try. It's truly fantastic!
DeleteI love milking my goats too... I am so missing my fresh raw goat milk.
ReplyDeleteIs Chloe looking close?
Delete