Anyone still milking by hand?

[Farmer Kitty]

Jerseys are so cute. We used to have some. I don't miss milking the short little cows but, I sure do miss their cute faces around here.

 

[pokacow]

Beekissed I plan on milking my Dexter next summer when she calves, sharing w/the calf. I want butter for sure & maybe cheese if I feel daring! Are you on the bee forum too? Jody

 

[wynedot55]

welcome youll like it here.

 

[Beekissed]

We have a bee forum?

 

[Farmer Kitty]

We have a bee forum?

Not one of Nifty's. Backyardcows, Backyardchickens, The Easy Garden, Sufficentself.

 

[NATIVO]

Hi everyone...
I have been hand milking 2 cows but just bought a surge bucket!!... I'm also the one that recently bought the Jersey that had mastitis in her rear qtrs.... It's all clear now but we are still having problems milking out the rear due to the short teats.

I also hand milk my goats but have let them dry up so I could spend more time with the cows this summer.

By spring I will be milking 4 goats and 2 cows, so I think the surge bucket is a great investment....

 

[kstaven]

What inflations are you using on the surge milker? Continental, vac saver, jet flo bodies? Narrow bore inflations will help with small teats.

I also found that the narrow bore "silicone inflations" work better for me with a jersey that has very small back teats.

 

[chickennoodles]

I do, I have several Jerseys now. All of them are milked by hand for the first month, then I get bottle calves to take over. I will keep one milked for my own use on a weekly basis.

I am curious about this- you milk your cow once a week for your cheese production? Is this enough to keep her "tame" enough to milk, and in production enough to get enough milk for your needs?

 

[miron28]

i all ways wanted to start a diary farm we looked at buying one about a year ago but they are expense of! the cheapest one we found was $800,000.00. i wish i had the money just to start one! :/

 

[chicken_boy_Kurt]

I'm hoping to get a cow next year and I will be milking her by hand.