Wolfemomma - Our Homestead Journey

[WolfeMomma]

Thank you so much @farmerjan So many things I didn't think of. It almost seems like a scary process , I don't want to make a mistake like getting one with something wrong with it, or that won't stand to be hand milked, can't be bred back ect. Me and my husband are total newbies at this so I think we need a cow with more experience then us so to speak lol . We don't want to rush in to anything , and don't mind waiting untill the right cow comes along.
I really would like to use a machine to milk. I feel like its more sanitary...i see people milk by hand on some youtube vlogs that I watch and ...they are filtering straw and other gross things out when they get back in the house, I want to keep my milk as clean and less "exposed" to outside elements as possible. Milking machines are insanely expensive but I think it would be worth it in the long run. any thoughts on hand milking v.s machine ?

 

[Latestarter]

Since I only milk one goat, I do it by hand, but a cow... I think I'd spring for a machine... since they (cows) produce 3-5 times (or more) as much milk. The system I was (and still am) looking at isn't that expensive and if you can afford it, why not go for it?

My choice: https://simplepulse.com/ Another I looked at was: http://www.perrysmilkers.com/

Something to keep in mind though is that with a machine you have a butt load more cleaning to do with all the equipment.

 

[farmerjan]

I have no intention of going through all the trouble of cleaning a milking machine for one cow. If she is not a kicker, there will be very little in the milk to strain but a few hairs. I can hand milk a cow making about 3 gallons in less than 10 minutes usually, once I get my strength back after being "off " for a couple months. It takes longer to assemble and then dis-assemble and clean the machine than the milking. I used to milk 4 by hand and by the time I got to the fourth, I was feeling it. But one or two, by hand. If the cow has not been laying in the muck, a quick brushing off and then washing the udder and drying is pretty good to go. To each his own. I like that I am getting the exposure and building up an immunity by being exposed and a few hairs will not kill me. The problem with kids (human variety) having so much trouble with allergies has definitely been linked to not having much exposure to dirt and such in playing, and not having pets.
If one of the reasons to have a cow and milk is to drink the milk raw - not pasteurized - then you are purposely allowing yourself access to the immune building. I don't propose drinking it after she has planted her foot in it or that she peed or pooped and it splattered in it.

 

[WolfeMomma]

I have no intention of going through all the trouble of cleaning a milking machine for one cow. If she is not a kicker, there will be very little in the milk to strain but a few hairs. I can hand milk a cow making about 3 gallons in less than 10 minutes usually, once I get my strength back after being "off " for a couple months. It takes longer to assemble and then dis-assemble and clean the machine than the milking. I used to milk 4 by hand and by the time I got to the fourth, I was feeling it. But one or two, by hand. If the cow has not been laying in the muck, a quick brushing off and then washing the udder and drying is pretty good to go. To each his own. I like that I am getting the exposure and building up an immunity by being exposed and a few hairs will not kill me. The problem with kids (human variety) having so much trouble with allergies has definitely been linked to not having much exposure to dirt and such in playing, and not having pets.
If one of the reasons to have a cow and milk is to drink the milk raw - not pasteurized - then you are purposely allowing yourself access to the immune building. I don't propose drinking it after she has planted her foot in it or that she peed or pooped and it splattered in it.

I see your points, but I just feel more comfortable with our decision of using a machine. Ideally I would like to learn hand milking as well though and have a cow that would tolerate both.

 

[WolfeMomma]

So because our ewes didn't end up pregnant last fall, we decided to purchase a ram that we will breed them to this year. I have been wanting a black and white Katahdin for a while and finally got one. Originally i wanted a black and white ewe but hey, Ill take what I can get. His name is Gorden Ramsay ( Ramsay for short) because I love gorden ...he is my favorite cook . I will be very interested in seeing what type of lambs this guy puts on the ground. Fingers crossed for a ewes and some cool markings lol.
Keeping my eyes open for dairy cows for sale, but we are not nearly ready yet. Probably not untill the fall will that happen.
Our beef steer decided that the grass is greener on the other side of the pasture. He walked right through 5 lines of electric wire ....without breaking them. they were only slightly twisted. Everyone says cows escape a lot....how do they get them back in the pasture? it took us quite a while to lure him back in with grain.
Looking for a nice buff orpington rooster for my buff hens.....cant find one, ANYWHERE! Only chicks, and I'm not interested in raising those right now.
Every day is an adventure thats for sure. Will be doing an update on my gardening adventure as well.....as thats a whole different story that i don't have time to type out right now!
Till next time.
-Wolfemomma

P.S omg the black flies! how do people get anything done outdoors while dealing with those!!!

 

[Mike CHS]

We have the flies but so far not too bad.

We have friends who just added some dairy sheep to their herd of Katahdins. It looks like they are going to work their way toward all dairy sheep at some point.

 

[Mike CHS]

We have the flies but so far not too bad.

We have friends who just added some dairy sheep to their herd of Katahdins. It looks like they are going to work their way toward all dairy sheep at some point.

 

[RollingAcres]

So because our ewes didn't end up pregnant last fall, we decided to purchase a ram that we will breed them to this year. I have been wanting a black and white Katahdin for a while and finally got one. Originally i wanted a black and white ewe but hey, Ill take what I can get. His name is Gorden Ramsay ( Ramsay for short) because I love gorden ...he is my favorite cook . I will be very interested in seeing what type of lambs this guy puts on the ground. Fingers crossed for a ewes and some cool markings lol.
Keeping my eyes open for dairy cows for sale, but we are not nearly ready yet. Probably not untill the fall will that happen.
Our beef steer decided that the grass is greener on the other side of the pasture. He walked right through 5 lines of electric wire ....without breaking them. they were only slightly twisted. Everyone says cows escape a lot....how do they get them back in the pasture? it took us quite a while to lure him back in with grain.
Looking for a nice buff orpington rooster for my buff hens.....cant find one, ANYWHERE! Only chicks, and I'm not interested in raising those right now.
Every day is an adventure thats for sure. Will be doing an update on my gardening adventure as well.....as thats a whole different story that i don't have time to type out right now!
Till next time.
-Wolfemomma
P.S omg the black flies! how do people get anything done outdoors while dealing with those!!!

, I just started reading your journal. I/we would love to see some pictures of Gordon Ramsay (the ram not the chef that is, lol )!
We don't have any sheep or goats. We have 2 heifers and 2 hens.

 

[WolfeMomma]

 

[WolfeMomma]

The one and only Gorden Ramsay lol. Though now Im wondering if I should have named him Ping Pong because he jumps and bounces all over like crazy!