Newbie Milk Queston

[Blarneyeggs]

Some Background:

We just survived our first kidding and are learning the ropes of milking. We have 2 FF NDs that kidded 8 days ago. We are not getting much milk. We are not separating our kids from the does -we are being cautious this first year, I am afraid of not milking them out completely.

My Questions:

1). Can I add the milk together from the different days in order to have enough to make some cheese?

2). how long can I keep the milk in the fridge?

 

[cindyg]

I certainly collected the milk, from each doe and each day. I strained it into the same jar and I tried to use it within a week, but I don't drink it, just make cheese and yogurt. My does are due to kid soon again, so haven't milked for a while. I didn't start to really milk them regularly till the kids were almost weaned.

 

[frustratedearthmother]

There's no reason why you can't combine several days milk for cheesemaking.

I don't usually start milking for human consumption until a couple weeks after the does kid. The colostrum needs to be totally cleared out because it tastes - uggy (in the words of my grandson)!

My milk keeps in the fridge for up to 2 weeks if it is cooled promptly after milking.

Good luck and have fun milking!

 

[OneFineAcre]

I would not add the fresh warm milk to that already refrigerated. Chill in a seperate container.

After several days we combine the refridgerated milk into one container.

We try to use ours or make cheese by 10 days.