If you milk a Nigerian Dwarf...

[darbyfamily]

what works well for you as far as set up?

She's so short and has never been milked before, so we're having a hard time getting her milked out properly.

For now, just to keep her from drying up, Im holding her as well as I can and milking her to the ground instead of into a pail. She sniffed the ground, then looked up at me with her lip curled up like she was smiling or something... it was so cute!

Anyway, Im just curious if you could share your set up with me, or post pictures, that'd be so helpful!

I'll go search past posts to see if I can find something but Im not so good at that :P

THANKS!!!

[Alice In TX/MO]

I shortened the measurements on the milk stand on the fiascofarm.com website by 1 1/2 inches.

[waygr00vy]

I have mine on a stand as well. Then milk into a small SS dog dish I bought from Tractor Supply. I think it holds about 2 cups, then I pour that into my filter and jars as I milk. Anything much bigger won't fit under my smaller nigies.

[Terri]

How much milk do your Nigies give?

[Mrs. Jo]

We found a low 2 quart pot at a thrift shop for our Kinder's and Niggies. We also would sit behind them on the stand to milk them out. Much easier on the wrists.

[waygr00vy]

I get anywhere from 2 cups to slightly over a quart per milking depending on the doe. I just started milking last year so am slowly phasing out my does who don't milk as well and replacing them with heavier milkers.

[Pamela Jean]

I use the same stand for all my goats the big and little But I did design a suction milker for my nigie. my version of the home made suction milker I did move the feed bowl lower but the big girls don't seem to mind that as long as stays full is all they care about my nigie's teats are about 1/2 as long as my little finger very hard to hand milk she much prefers the suction milker. tried it on my big girls they seem to like it as well and I get cleaner milk taste much better longer. the other tasted fine but seemed to go off very quickly.
Pamela jean

[crazygoatgal]

I use a milking stand built by a friend from a plan that is designed just for the little guys. Its pretty easy to build- I'll send you the plan if you like. Just give me your address. I also milk from behind--it is so much easier and I find that you have more control over the goat and the bucket(just in case she decides to step or hit it). I only use the first two fingers and I squeeze, not strip. I find this to be easier than using the stripping motion. You need to develop the "feel" for it, but I seem to be able to milk mine out pretty thoroughly and they don't seem to mind. I massage the udder toward the end to get out the last bit. I generally get 2 quarts + or - each milking, depending on the doe. I use a 2 quart ss milking pail to milk into, but once had to use a shallow tupperware bowl on one of my s because her udder was sooo big that I couldn't fit a bucket under her-yes, a Nigerian. That was interesting to say the least. Good luck.

[Wags]

I would interested in plans for for a Niggie sized milk stand. Is this something you can email?

[crazygoatgal]

Sorry, I don't think I can. I have photocopies I could fax, if you have a fax nearby or at home. PM me with a number.