Devonviolet Acres

[Devonviolet]

Can't make cheese if you dry them off!

I KNOW!!!!!

That's two whole months without cheese, Kefir and butter!!!

I'm saving up butter, in the freezer. But, with my Mozzarella being inconsistent, I don't have any stored up. I do, however, have Ricotta in the freezer!

 

[Devonviolet]

From what I read on here, they scream bloody murder, so maybe it won't be so hard to tell.

 

[goatgurl]

miss feline is indeed a cutie patootie. I think ruby was laying there thinking "will you two please hurry up so I can eat". sure wish you could figure the mozzarella thing out. remember goats milk freezes well and you are able to can it for cooking

 

[Devonviolet]

miss feline is indeed a cutie patootie. I think ruby was laying there thinking "will you two please hurry up so I can eat". sure wish you could figure the mozzarella thing out. remember goats milk freezes well and you are able to can it for cooking

Thanks goatgurl! I just get all warm & fuzzy inside when I look at that picture of Falina. She is such a sweetie! Actually, both girls are sweeties! I agree. Miss Ruby was most likely laying there wishing I would hurry up with Falina. She has figured out that Miss Falina always goes,first, so she just stands by and waits for me to let Falina out. It used to be a competition, at the gate, in the morning. But, Miss Ruby finally figured out the order of things.

 

[Devonviolet]

Oh yes! The Mozzarella thing! It has been a challenge! Last weekend, I made two batches. One right after the other. The first one turned out fine. The second one bombed! The good thing is that, while it isn't Mozzarella (more like Ricotta) it still tastes good. If I put some thick, creamy Kefir in it, it is very spreadable and tastes yummy on Triscuits!

I will have to remember to can some milk, for cooking when I can't milk. That's a good idea. The freezer is rather full right now, so we will have to be satisfied with canned milk.

 

[Mini Horses]

So this tells you a couple of things ---

One -- that you stagger the breedings or that you keep milking one thru a couple of months, then breed. I realize that is not economical for hiring a buck. I have enough does to not worry about this.

Two --they often do not want to stop milking. So you may have enough fresh milk to use for drinking, coffee, etc. longer than you think. Not as much but, enough. Canning & freezing work but, canning is not as good to drink, IMO.

I use 1/2 gal canning jars to collect milk, then cap and put into freezer for 30-45 min for a fast chill. It does give a "seal" and I have dated, then waited, to see how long it lasted. I have found that my milk was still tasting fresh at 3 wks, when I opened a jar -- always cold kept! So, if you stagger the milking and "seal" the product it keeps longer. In fact, I feel it keeps longer than purchased milk!

If it tastes "off" make cheese! Cheese is nothing much but curdled milk -- right? Make your butter now. That will freeze. It is all about planning ahead.

I make soap, so you have to freeze for that. It has good thaw consistency for a couple of months, then may be less desirable for drinking. Ok for cooking. With 11 does here, I rarely have an issue. Saanens will milk for several months beyond most, given correct feed. Most of mine are Saanen and/or SaanenXNubian.

 

[Devonviolet]

I use 1/2 gal canning jars to collect milk, then cap and put into freezer for 30-45 min for a fast chill. It does give a "seal" and I have dated, then waited, to see how long it lasted. I have found that my milk was still tasting fresh at 3 wks, when I opened a jar -- always cold kept! So, if you stagger the milking and "seal" the product it keeps longer. In fact, I feel it keeps longer than purchased milk!

If it tastes "off" make cheese! Cheese is nothing much but curdled milk -- right? Make your butter now. That will freeze. It is all about planning ahead.

I use 1/2 gallon jars too. Never tried putting the milk in the freezer, though. I have noticed, when warm milk is put in the fridge, it does create a seal. Although, I would think putting it in the freezer would seal it more quickly and result in a tighter, longer lasting seal.

I would think that if you seal the jar right away, it would keep it "fresh" and you shouldn't have a problem with the milk tasting "off", right?

Thanks for that insight, Mini!

 

[Mini Horses]

Putting in the freezer does quicken the cool down. A 1/2 gal of very warm milk takes a while to cool otherwise. I actually used the 3 wk old milk for drinking and it tasted fine. Plus, there was a little cream line on top.

The frozen doesn't separate during first 3-4 months, so still nice to use to drink, etc. After that you sometimes get a little separation but, not bad and heated it goes away. So cooking or hot chocolate, in coffee, all good.

I've used it for cooking and soap making over a yr old, no issues. Plus, I've made a lot of quick cheese with milk & vinegar, used like ricotta, as spreads, etc. It froze nicely. So you can still have things while they are dry. You & the does get a break for a couple months. I like that break to be Jan/Feb here -- my coldest months of winter. Cold hands just cannot feel good to milk...or getting wet to be washed off -- although they did NOT seem to be bothered with either. Warm water, towel dried

When back to milking, thaw the frozen and give to the chickens! They love milk, cheese, yogurt, all that.

 

[Baymule]

Save your whey for me! I'll give it to my pigs! When the sow weans her future yet to be born babies that may or may not be conceived yet, then you can feed the whey to your own piglet!! BWA-HAHAHAHA!!!!

 

[Devonviolet]

@Mini Horses, freezing the milk sounds interesting. So, you freeze it in the 1/2 gallon, glass jars? You don't have a problem with the jars breaking, as the milk (liquid) expands as it freezes?

In the past, we put soup (in quart canning jars) in the freezer, and the jars cracked, wasting the soup. I have thought of freezing milk. But, was concerned that the expanding liquid would crack the jars.

If we are going to freeze milk, that is going to mean seriously cleaning out the freezer. We are planning to send our 2 wethers to freezer camp and are planning to butcher about 6 chickens and a few ducks, in the next couple weeks.

I'm thinking we are also going to need to pressure can some of that meat.