Milking

[Dolorosa]

Hello,
Our nigerian dwarf doe, Flora, had her babies a few weeks ago. Sadly they were to early and were still-born. Our doe was given Nutrigents, and I think it was penicillen. She is now acting fine and normal. I have been milking her twice a day. Before milking her I was my hands. Before milking her I wash her teets with warm water with all natural soap in it, I wash them again after I milk her. I do not know what to do to the milk to have it be fit for human consumption. We lost our book about goats and have not found it. I heard that you have to get some kind of strainer? What to I have to do to have it be fit for human consumption?
Thank you!

 

[Goatgirl47]

I'm sorry about her kids.

When I milked my goats all I did was to put the milk through a strainer after milking. You can use cheese cloth.
Our goats were very clean and almost never had any dirt on them, but if they did we just let their goat kids have it (we share-milked). We don't pasteurize our milk, we drink it fresh.

Also, welcome to BackYardHerds!

 

[Baymule]

Welcome to the forum @Dolorosa so sorry about your kids. I hate to lose babies or any animal for that matter. Glad you joined, why don't you mosey on over to the new members forum and introduce your self? We'd love to hear more about you and your goats!

 

[frustratedearthmother]

When I hand milk I milk through a strainer set on top of the bucket. We don't pasteurize our milk, but a lot of folks think it's important. There are plenty of instructions on Google on how to pasteurize if you feel that you should.

 

[NH homesteader]

Hi and welcome. Sorry about your kids... That's awful. I strain my milk and pasteurize on the stove top in a double boiler. Bring it up to 165, stirring, and hold at that temp for 15 seconds then place the pan in an ice bath or put in the freezer to chill quickly.

 

[Dolorosa]

Thank you all for your advice! We don't want to pasteurize it We normally just drink raw cows milk, so raw goat milk is not a problem. Our goats are a bit dirty so I'm thinking if I clean off her udder before milking. Milk her into a clean container. Strain it. We can drink it? I hope so! Can't wait to try it!

 

[NH homesteader]

I do not know about concerns regarding the medications she was given and drinking milk afterwards. Also has she been tested for CAE and other goat diseases? Without getting into the raw/pasteurized debate... @Southern by choice knows a LOT about milk safety (but I am not sure my phone will let me tag people ugh)

 

[Dolorosa]

No she has not been tested.

 

[babsbag]

I wash my goats with warm water that has Dawn soap in it and a couple of drops of bleach but really any good soap and water will do the trick. Also washing them again afterwards is good. I like to spray them with a product called Fight Bac but dipping the teat in water and a little bleach will work.

I strain mine with milk filters that I buy from Caprine Supply but many places sell them. I also pasteurize now, but I didn't use to and many people don't. It all depends on what you are comfortable with. You can't see things like e-coli or salmonella but if you are drinking it raw straining it and chilling it as fast as possible is all you need to do. An ice water bath in the sink with the milk in glass jars works great for chilling it.

 

[Devonviolet]

Welcome to BYH, from the beautiful state of Texas.

I'm so sorry to hear about the loss of your ND kids. That is heartbreaking.

I was glad to see your question about milking. I have had 4 ND wethers for the past two years. I am about to embark on the journey of beginning with 2 LaMancha does, about to kid within the next 2 months.

Since this is all new to me, of course milking is of great interest to me. So, thank you for asking your question.

I wish you well, with your doe and, as Baymule suggested, it would be good if you would introduce yourself, and share your location, as well as your experience (if any) and your hopes & dreams on your homestead.