Freezing goats milk

[lscheopner]

My husband and I are having a discussion on freezing goat milk. We have a boer doe with one baby and she has to have one side milked. We are getting about 2 qt a day and I have been freezing it. Will it be okay to feed to another baby. Hubby doesn't thinks it will freeze and be usable. How do you unthaw it? Thanks for answering a stupid question.

Laina

[dezeeuwgoats]

I freeze colostrum every year - it is absolutely useable! Colostrum can be lifesaving. I usually reheat by thawing in the fridge, and then placing a bottle in hot water. I don't like to use the microwave - but that's personal preference. I'm sure you can do the same with your milk.

No stupid questions. No such thing.

Niki

[Gailann Schrader]

I've got two year old (no, wait, three) frozen colostrum.

I suppose at some point it will be too old to use? It's a lifesaver for weak kids. Warm it, add a little coffee (for really weak kids) and give it.

I know some ethnicities cook it slightly and flavor it. Like pudding. Could be interesting. Probably really good for young'uns...

[Charleen]

Yes, you can freeze it! We always freeze goat milk in the fall before the girls dry up - just to have in the spring for emergencies.

We freeze it raw and plastic jugs. To thaw it, I set the frozen jugs into our Weck canner until they are liquid. Then I pasteurize. You'll probably notice that the milk will separate, and the kids don't seem to care, but if it makes you feel better, you can give it a quick spin in the blender.

We've also frozen the milk in ziploc bags, lay flat in the freezer and that takes up less room.

[Misty]

I freeze the colostrum in separate small freezer bags. It thaws well in the hot water that way. I used some this year that was at least a year old. The kid is alive and kicking!!

[lscheopner]

I think I jinxed myself with this thread. We had twins born, one died but the mother has no milk. I milked what little colostrum she had and fed the baby. If her milk doesn't come down I have lots of milk to feed him and gallons already frozen. How much colostrum do they need? Thanks

[TennesseeMama23]

I freeze raw goats milk all summer, and that is what our family drinks all winter. I freeze it in gallon freezer bags (2 qts at a time). I just set the bag on the counter to thaw. It is good as long as you don't try to drink it before it is thawed all the way. There is "flecks" in it sometimes, but you can't taste them.