Anyone using the Henry Goat Milker?

AllAmerican · #1 06/10/10, 04:06 PM

Just wondering. No, I still do not have goats. Wow, almost 7 years of reading and studying about goats and I still have so many questions.

I saw a post here that mentioned a hand milker and found the Henry Milker online. Seems like a good thing. So, soes anyone have experience with it?

I do have one more question if you kind folks would indulge me?

Does anyone have some sort of scheduler or Excel spreadsheet or some type of insight on time frames for goats?

I mean like a production timeline? I mean like Kids are born and at x weeks they are butchered or bred or how you rotate your herd as far as when you sell the bucks and how and when you decide to keep the kids for milkers and sell or butcher the mother.

Rotation of the herd is what Id call it.

Just looking for some insight that way. Yes, Im going for a milk/meat cross. More than likely Saanens would be my first choice. Possibly some Nubians but crosses would be fine too.

Almost ALL the goats Ive seen in my area are Boers. Seems like the breed to have here LOL. However, no one is doing milk/cheese on any type of scale locally and Ive already had several people (customers I deal with in my current business - HVAC) who have mentioned they would buy cheese, meat and milk directly from me here.

Alice In TX/MO · #2 06/10/10, 04:44 PM

Here's a good link with very basic care info:
http://dairygoatinfo.com/index.php/topic,2077.0.html

Wags · #3 06/10/10, 07:36 PM

I have the plans for the Henry, but I have yet to get it built. Some how my goat fund keeps getting emptied before I can get the parts purchased. I really do need to get it built if nothing else so that hubby or my dad could milk for me in a pinch.

AllAmerican · #4 06/10/10, 07:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wags

I have the plans for the Henry, but I have yet to get it built. Some how my goat fund keeps getting emptied before I can get the parts purchased. I really do need to get it built if nothing else so that hubby or my dad could milk for me in a pinch.

Seems reasonable to buy the kit from him for $60 and build it yourself. Thats what I was thinking Id do anyway. Just to get started before I get a larger herd.

chewie · #5 09/11/10, 10:14 AM

i have just learned of an event that will actually give me PAIN if i don't get to attend. problem is, i've never taught my kids (15/13) to milk, i know, dumb. but DH can, but his hands just dont' work well that way and it kinda hurts his joints. i only have 3, but would be gone for at least 4 days solid. kids can do the feeding,etc., i jsut need a milker!!

sooo, anybody use this henry thing? that would make it so DH wouldn't have to filter or wash pails or nuthin! but, does it work? does it cause harm to my does??? help!

Alice In TX/MO · #6 09/11/10, 10:25 AM

http://www.henrymilker.com/?gclid=CO...FdLV5wod_SP5Ig

The only problem is that it's constant suction instead of suck and release like natural nursing or a conventional milking machine. I don't know if it causes long term damage to teats and orifices.

Pumping the handle is still work for your hands, but apparently less than hand milking.

wintrrwolf · #7 09/12/10, 09:09 AM

Alice is right pumping the handle is still work for your hands but in a different way. I have stiffness in my joints and carpal tunnel. I went with the Maggidan's hand pump milker because 1 it was cheaper then the Henry and 2 I liked the parts better...
What I like the most is I have control of the pumping action (easier on the teets) and I squirt directly into a container with a smaller hole for less debris and they can move and kick all they want but that cup ain't coming off till I am done! Sorry have a couple of new milkers that did give me a run for my money, so this milker has been a lifesaver.

**mygoat** · #8 09/12/10, 10:07 AM

In a pinch, I would consider a Henry milker for just short term use. For long term use, I wouldn't use either the Maggidan's or the Henry... Simply because I believe over time it would damage the teats/orifices.

The best thing to do is to have at least one other person who can spot milk for you in an emergency, and be able to do so for an extended amount of time if necessary... IE, injury, illness, or death of the main person who milks/takes care of the animals. I taught my dad how to milk this year, just in case something untoward ever happens to me. He also knows to call two other people who also raise goats and that I would be willing to help us out in that situation. If the person you have to spot milk has sore joints, etc, then yes a maggidans or Henry milker would be a great item to have on hand if the product doesn't also aggrivate the joints.

chewie · #9 09/12/10, 10:11 AM

reason the henry appeals to me more is that the milk goes from goat straight to jar. no filtering, no pail to wash, etc. all that making it easier for DH and DD's to milk on occasions. the milk doesn't go thru so much hose either, and i have calm easy milkers, so i am not worried about it getting dumped over, etc. so less clean up with less milk thru hoses/gun etc.

but, are you using this milker every day? i doubt i will but would like something that if i needed to, i could!

eta...i posted at the same time as mygoats--yes, that is EXACTLY what i need this thing for. my DD15 just cannot seem to milk and DD13 has trouble with one certain doe, and cannot do all 3, much less next year i'll have 3FF's in addition to my 3 now. there is a neighor lady who can milk, but she is dreadful-busy, and always has her 2 boys, who often do the actual milking and they can be rather un-kind. i think my ladies would be best actually with my DD's, who help me with chores all the time, and the does are used to them and like them. and if they can't at least this contraption may give my DH an easier time of it.

i am soooo seldom gone that when i am it really throws me into a whirlwind! i don't have anyone trained for milking cuz that's MY thing, i LOVE doing it, LOVE the does, and really dont' want anyone butting in!! (well, cept now, when i so badly wanna go on this trip!)

HenryMilker · #10 10/06/10, 12:24 AM

Just to add some more info to all of the understandable opinions and misunderstandings, with the Henry Milker, you control how much the pressure varies or fluctuates. It uses a hand vacuum pump (operated by squeezing the pump with your hand), creating negative pressure on the teat, much like the action applied by a baby goat. Once the vacuum builds you can just watch the milk pour. Keep an eye on the built-in pressure gauge. Fluctuate the pressure with a simple squeeze of the hand. There's also a pressure release valve. It's the only hand goat milking machine with a gauge to continuously monitor and vary the pressure on the teat.