Milking Supplies

kimmom · #1 04/12/10, 06:37 PM

I am new to goat milking! I am wondering what supplies are must haves! I have been milking into a glass jar and filtering with a coffee filter, chilling right away. I was looking at getting a stainless steal bucket, and wondered what else I need? I have been using baby wipes to clean her off first but have yet to find teat dip for after , I was wondering if it possible to make it?
Any advice is welcomed!! Thanks

Alice In TX/MO · #2 04/12/10, 06:56 PM

Get a gallon of iodine based teat dip. It will last you forever, and it's worth the peace of mind.

Strip cup is optional. Milk the first streams out onto a paper towel or into Dixie Cup. Look for lumps/blood.

Stainless Steel buckets are heavenly.

Acid based dairy soap for washing those buckets.

Small Stainless steel filter. Coffee filters are tooooooo slow.

http://www.caprinesupply.com/shop/?p...6a3f7aee8365be

Wags · #3 04/12/10, 07:16 PM

Jeffers Livestock Supply has the best deals on stainless steel pails. I have Nigerians so I use a 2 quart pail. We started off like you using the coffee filter, but eventually got a stainless steel strainer. It is a lot quicker to use.

jBlaze · #4 04/12/10, 07:50 PM

Best bucket: http://www.caprinesupply.com/shop/?p...5c4acc36f682b0
They have many other items as well. THis is a good heavy bucket that you can stand on, your cow can kick, etc. I find it very nice because it is heavy enough to NOT get knocked over when kicked.
For training does to milk it is a bit heavy, I milk into a SS bowl with one hand, and pour into the bucket.
Note that the edge is NOT rolled, so no icky stinky acculimation. (rolled edges never get really clean under that roll.)
My local feed store has the milk filters, much better than a paper towel. We were lucky enough to get a great strainer at a garage sale.

**mygoat** · #5 04/12/10, 08:03 PM

For milk buckets, I use cheap stainless steel 8 qt stock buckets. They work great, and only cost me 6.00 if I remember. I got them from the local dollar store. I did buy the mini steel strainer/filters - though it is REALLY REALLY slow, anyways. Half gallon glass jars are handy, too.

I highly recommend the milk soap, acid wash, and sanitizer that hoegger supplies. If you mix them all into qt size spray bottles, they last FOREVER, just spray them on when needed. If they are good spray bottles, they should seal so the chlorine in the sanitizer won't dissipate - cheap ones might not seal well and allow it to dissipate, so at least spend a little more on that one. I used cheap ones for the other sprayers, which don't have a volatile element that would dissipate like the sanitizer.

The teat dip I used was the Fiasco Farm teat dip with chlorine bleach and dawn dish soap. Fiasco Farm was right, it really is gentler on the udder and hands, I loved it.

kimmom · #6 04/12/10, 08:23 PM

Thanks everyone!! you are all AWESOME! Am I ever glad I found this site!!!

kimmom · #7 04/12/10, 08:26 PM

I am in Canada so I have to llok into oredering for up here! Does this look like a decent bucket? http://www.leevalley.com/garden/page...t=2,33140&ap=1

Pony · #8 04/12/10, 08:52 PM

I got our stainless steel bucket from the Amish store up the road. Looks just like the one at Caprine Supply.

Gotta say, though, that I lust for a larger bucket with a cover, into which I can freeze an inch or three of water in the bottom. Then, I can put the milking bucket into the ice bucket, cover it, and bring it in.

For filters, I use muslin cut into squares, which I place into a large strainer, which then goes into one of my canning jar funnels, which then goes into my canning jar. Pour the milk through that -- voila! And I can re-use the filters after I wash and iron them (extra step for disinfection).

I use vinegar and/or baking soda to wash the milk stone out of the bucket.

Everything gets a spritz of bleach water after washing. Forget the percentage; it's on Fias Co's site.

mrs.H · #9 04/12/10, 08:52 PM

Look what I found on e-bay. Would this work? I might get one!
http://cgi.ebay.com/Stainless-Steel-...#ht_2130wt_754

Of course Milkyways high day has been 14.1 oz. This might not work for a full size goat who milks out 4 pounds and up at a milking!

shiandpete.1 · #10 04/12/10, 09:31 PM

Milk Filters...you will find that your milk will taste even better.

Alice In TX/MO · #11 04/12/10, 09:53 PM

I think the other companies will ship to Canada.

**mygoat** · #12 04/12/10, 10:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pony

I got our stainless steel bucket from the Amish store up the road. Looks just like the one at Caprine Supply.

Gotta say, though, that I lust for a larger bucket with a cover, into which I can freeze an inch or three of water in the bottom. Then, I can put the milking bucket into the ice bucket, cover it, and bring it in.

For filters, I use muslin cut into squares, which I place into a large strainer, which then goes into one of my canning jar funnels, which then goes into my canning jar. Pour the milk through that -- voila! And I can re-use the filters after I wash and iron them (extra step for disinfection).

I use vinegar and/or baking soda to wash the milk stone out of the bucket.

Everything gets a spritz of bleach water after washing. Forget the percentage; it's on Fias Co's site.

I plan on doing this - 12 qt outside stainless steel pail, inside 8qt stainless steel. I'll have two 8qts - one to be frozen into the 12 qt every time, the other as a milk pail. I'll strain into the frozen stock pot, so that it chills the milk quick. I'll have to see how it works and if I like it - I'll either have to get a new fridge/freezer for the barn, clean out our upstairs freezer, or fetch the milk equipment for the basement chest freezer every time.

jBlaze · #13 04/12/10, 11:20 PM

lol, yall are funny about chilling. I remember on the dairy, the milk going into the bulk tank, then later when we were bottling, there would be thin strips of frozen milk on the surface if you peeked into the tank, lol. oh, memories. I remember too, when I was really little, my mom used to put the cow milk into those big old milk cans like you see at antique places now, well, she had a ring around them, so that the cold water from the hose would cool all the way around the can. ( I don't remember how tho hose hooked up to the ring though.)

shiandpete.1 · #14 04/13/10, 09:16 AM

We all like the chilled milk...I have a story for you. I sell herd shares so the goats pay for themself eventually. One of my milk share families came from the city to see the goats, see our milk area and process and to sign the contract. It turns out they are from the Ukraine and were so excited for fresh milk like they used to have during their child hood. They brought their 3 children with them and watched as we milked Gloria, mind you morning milking had already been done, and then followed me to the house and watched me strain it into a jar.... And then they drank it goat body warm from the jar and loved it. Now our milk is sweet and not goaty tasting at all but goat body warm is icky in my opinion, especially over cereal...lol I even offered them cold milk but they wanted it warm.

jBlaze · #15 04/13/10, 11:58 AM

I remember too, my mom making us drink it warm, ICK! LOL.

chewie · #16 04/13/10, 10:32 PM

ah, warm milk is soothing to belly and soul! yup, like it warm. but as a drink before bed, not on cereal, ew.

filters are cheap and get more ickys out than most anything else. worth the cost IMHO. i use the larger strainer, the 4+sized filters, only order them once a year.

the bucket can be got at any TSC in the dog section, its a water bucket, and as nice as any from the other stores/online. i have the lehman's one, its not that heavy, but a well fit lid is nice. i just use the dog bucket and found one of my pot lids that fits good enough. the way the bucket carries feels sturdy and nice.

if you only have one, or a smaller goat, go to the nearby thrift store, get a 2 quart sauce pan, in stainless steel only, that works great too, and goes right into the dishwasher.

for chilling you can get a chill stick, a stainless steel 'tube' thing that can go in the bucket, so the milk is chilled as you milk. i use the old standby of waterbottles, got some smaller (8oz?) sized ones, didn't open them, and keep refreezing them. i put in the dishwasher, and sometimes a bleach rinse, my milk was tasting goaty last fall when it was horribly hot, til i started doing this. i know, putting it into the pail can be 'bad', but works for me.

and don't forget the raisins--my gals won't leave the stand without their treat! hmm, can we say spoiled??! hehe

Heritagefarm · #17 04/13/10, 10:41 PM

Pah... Just received this idiotic email from someone, via rollanet.org:
you DON'T need to buy anything special to milk GOATS.
first of all,goats will put FOOT into gallon buckets... I used,anything with handle,keep bigger jug,yes,cut off milk jug,set to SIDE, where You can reach over,FILL as YOU milk.
one hand holds cup,holds udder. switch when ever arm gets tired,lol
to strain,towels,anything.works. white dish rag,was my favorite,wash out between milkings,had 3,only used them again,dry. never wet,damp. of course,get full wash now and again.
never had any wasted milk.
good luck. save your money,keep can bag balm on udders. merry milking

shiandpete.1 · #18 04/14/10, 08:05 AM

Somebody emailed you that? I bet there milk was GROSS!

jBlaze · #19 04/14/10, 10:29 AM

Brings to mind another question:

What are some ways of cleaning udders prior to milking?

(I just thought this would be a good addition to this thread, hope that's ok.)

Heritagefarm · #20 04/14/10, 02:39 PM

I squirt the udder with water with a light soap dilute, then wipe off with paper towels.