first milking experience

[issy]

So, today was my first milking experience. went out at 6 a.m., fingers crossed, pail in hand, hoping that the kids didn't get out again. The goats were just waking up, and the babies hadn't started trying to find a way out yet. awesome! So, we got the lead, and took the first mama to the milking stand. Turns out, rookie mistake, the staunch is too low, so in order for her to put her head through it, she has to be on her elbows. Grr.. but that's ok. We can work with this. I'm determined. So, my dad and partner in early morning milking, held her by the collar as I set up under her. Teat dip, oops, it's cold. Dunno what to do about that though. And, a little nervously, I reached for her teats. At first, nothing. I take a deep breath, and, with determination, I try again. I get a squirt, small stream, but it's a start. I keep adjusting my hands until we have it just right. Nice, steady streams, good rhythm, we're doing good. I didn't milk her all the way out, it's her first time being milked this year, and she had twins to feed, and they stay making a fuss in the barn, so she's getting antsy. And, with no head stall for today, I let her go back in. Next goat. I'm a little more confident now, but she quickly reminds me not to get cocky. Her teats are very different than the first goat. Where withthe first, she had somewhat long full teats, similar to what I was told to expect, a the fingers of a glove filled with water. The second, she felt like there was an empty gap in the middle of the "fingers". So, it's like starting all over again, and she's not as patient with my learning process. She gets fidgety, and I was getting used to her teats, and setting a good rhythm, when she decided to lift her foot and plant it square in the middle of my milk pail I was a little disappointed at first, but hey, for a first time, this is more of a learning experience than anything. So, we finished milking her anyway, and went ahead and brought out goat number three. She's a first timer, kinda like me. But unlike me, she's not eager to learn the process. She laid down on top of my pail and refused to let me work with her at all. Fortunately, she didn't topple my pail, so I was able to see my progress, my scale will be here next week for accurate measures, but eyeballing it today, I got roughly a quart, total today. It took me a little more than an hour. I gave the milk to the cats and the baby goats got a little too, given that mama number two stepped in it. And she didn't wash her feet first. Questions...how do you prevent feet from landing in your pail? even with the head stall working properly, they can still kick their feet around. And is it normal to end up with fur and such landing in the milk? (Hence filtering it, maybe?) Tips for an eager beginner milker?

 

[SA Farm]

I use a plastic measuring cup to milk and keep it really close, if I were to milk more than 1 goat, I would still use the same small measuring cup and add it to a bucket between milkings. Less waste. Also, as you start to get to know the does, you'll know when they're about to kick and learn to block or yank the bucket out of the way.
Yes, hair and whatnot does tend to end up in the milk, you got it
Be patient with yourself and your goats. Once it becomes routine, it'll be easier on all of you

 

[Pioneer Chicken]

What I did when I had first fresheners was have a HELPER! He/she would hold the back legs for me because they would kick and knock over my cup or get my hand dirty (ick ) or stick it right in my cup. One of my does in particular took forever to train and was she a meanie. She was so stubborn and it seemed like it took forever till I could milk her by myself. She'd kick, raise her leg super high to knock my hand away, scream like she was dying, or go potty And when she had finished her feed and if I was still milking ( and I usually was because of all the trouble she gave me), she'd turn her head and bite me if I had my back against the head lock.

Try to get your head-lock fixed up so you don't have to worry about them struggling as much. It might also help, if you haven't already, to shave their udders.

I understand about the learning on each doe. I, a newbie at the time with milking mini's, had three FF's three years ago and each one of them had different teat lengths and widths (if I may call it that). Definitely a learning experience! As you get more practice, you'll get the hang of it and it'll be easy, relaxing, and maybe even fun to milk!

Depending on how old your kids are, you can completely milk out your doe in the morning. When you let them out to nurse, they'll actually be stimulating her to produce more.

 

[ThreeBoysChicks]

Hobbles, buy yourself some nice hobbles. My Nina (this year will be her third freshening) and my first milker 3 years ago was a lovebug and an excellent first dairy goat. She and I learned together. She never had an issue, she has always been a great milker. I have another doe that is very sensitive around her udder and will alway pick up her feet, so I hobble her. She does not fight the hobbles, but they are there to remind her that she must stand still.

Also, the fact that they get their grain on the milk stand helps alot. I put them on the stand, wash them up, dry them off, give them their feed and milk. Last year, I was milking two and had both done in about 20 minutes.

This year, I will have four to milk.

 

[Azriel]

To keep the hair out of the milk, you can tie a clean tee shirt or flour sack type dish towel over the pail. You still want to strain, but it helps. Hobbles work good for kicking, or if you have sides to your milk stand you can tie their legs to the uprights of the stand with a very soft rope. To practice milking, put water in a rubber glove with a pin hole in a finger and milk the glove, it helps to get your fingers used to the way they should move.

 

[cindyg]

Definitely empty your pail into another container between does. I use a mason jar. Also, I started out milking them by hand, but now use a small milker thing, it's still manual, but once you get the cup on the teat and pump the hand pump the does seem to settle more than when I was constantly changing my grip and I get the milk faster. As well, I was always having to push the barn cat out of the way as he had his head right in the bucket trying to get his share. This way the milk goes directly into the jar. At the end, I milk a bit out for the cats.

 

[issy]

Thank you all for the wonderful suggestions! The only thing I'm really not sure about is, SA Farm you said you use a plastic measuring cup...everything I've read says plastic is a big no-no, because it's so hard to clean...how do you keep it clean enough?

 

[SA Farm]

I only use it for milking and I wash it thoroughly (soap and water and rinse) between milkings. Haven't had a problem and I've been using it for a month now. The milk goes straight into glass when it gets to the house