Jumping the Moon Dairy - the next chapter

[babsbag]

Door are done. I just put the bolts through from the back.

Now to build temporary ramps for the goats. The doors are quite high since this is built in a trailer; about 4' in the front and almost 6' in the back. I am having steel ramps built but I need something I can use now as I hope to start milking next week. I am thinking two 2x12 for each ramp with some cleats across them to hold them together and for slippage control. I can but some legs under them for support if I need to. I need to put some kinds of sides on them too, at least until they get used to the routine. I don't want to invest a lot of time and money since it is temporary. Easiest would be stock panel but also the most expensive, but always something I can re-purpose.

 

[Southern by choice]

I thought that is how they were suppose to go on...

 

[babsbag]

That is what the directions show but why use carriage bolts and put the square holes for the blots to go in if they aren't intended to be used?

 

[OneFineAcre]

Coming together

 

[babsbag]

30 kids left my farm today. Many does are missing their kids today. This goat raising is sure tough on the emotions. As we loaded each kid in the truck their dam would start screaming for them...it's tough on my heart and my ears.

I still have 25 kids out there, a few aren't weaned, a few are staying, but many are mini alpine bucklings that need to leave.

Tomorrow I milk.

 

[frustratedearthmother]

Oh wow - it's about to get real!

 

[babsbag]

Yes it is and I just hope that the fun was not only in the pursuit of the dream. But I am so sick and tired of building, sawdust and sore muscles are getting really old, especially when it is 102° outside, at least the milking will be done in a relatively cool and very clean building.

Today I am trying to build the railings on the ramps. I have steel ones coming eventually so trying not to spend a ton of money or time but that isn't going so well. I will get some pictures when I am done.

 

[Hens and Roos]

Hoping all goes smoothly

 

[Baymule]

Awesome that tomorrow you start milking. It must be hard to let so many kids go, but you can't keep them all.

 

[babsbag]

Almost done...I have been going none stop since 6 AM and a 9:00 PM I just couldn't go anymore. I still had to unload hay, feed the goats, chase down some pullets that were in the buck pen, and haul trash out to the highway (and have the can tip over and dump garbage all over our road. ) So tomorrow I have one more 2x4 to find for bracing, some cross bracing to do, a few more cleats to put on the ramp, find some plywood scraps for a "railing", cut two more pieces of stock panel to finish the pathway, cut the current fence in two places to make gates, drive in some t-post for the corral, and bolt the head gates onto the stands. I am just beat...long, long day and tomorrow has to start at sunup if I am going to milk before noon. Today would have been a good day to have some help but it is what it is.

Supposed to be 102° tomorrow...