Udderly EZ

LoneStrChic23 · #1 01/31/11, 05:53 PM

I think this has been discussed in the past but I wanted some opinions.

Anyone have this milker?

http://www.jefferslivestock.com/prod...31625&cn=33036

Is it easy to use?

What about cleaning it?

Is it well made and worth the $$?

I have a delima with Tootsie.....she kidded mid December and I still have no milk because her teats are very short & I have big hands

I contemplated selling her but thought I would consider this option 1st...

So any input on this would be great.

Thanks in advance!

RedSonja · #2 01/31/11, 07:09 PM

I haven't used it. But for not terribly much more than that you can build a milking machine. http://www.freewebs.com/cottoneyeddo...rownmilker.htm is a good place to start. I got a vacuum pump for $156 shipped, off eBay. I got a surge milker set up for $102 shipped. Now I just have to build a balance tank and replace the tubing and I'll be good to go. Well, as soon as I get another doe in milk that is.

-Sonja

Alice In TX/MO · #3 01/31/11, 07:15 PM

I have several and I use one ALL THE TIME with my Mini-Mancha. Yes, they are well made, but you MUST follow the instructions and use the silicone tube insert for minis.

That's me, fourth pic down with Cassie. http://www.udderlyez.com/goat_milkers.php

HOWEVER, you can make a hand milker of your own easily. Here's the thread, but I just noticed the pics don't show. I'll post them in my next post in just a minute.

my adaptation of Maggidan's Milker

You can make my little hand milker with stuff you can get at the feed store and hardware store and have it tomorrow, if you aren't snowed in. You'd have to wait on shipping for the Udderly EZ

Alice In TX/MO · #4 01/31/11, 07:17 PM

LaManchaPaul · #5 01/31/11, 08:12 PM

Alice, it is good to see a pix of you!!

I tried the combo in POST 4. It didn't work well enough to continue. The syringe tightened up on the teat and wasn't what I wanted.

I am looking to get a single milker system - that has a pulsator.

Good luck Lone.

Alice In TX/MO · #6 01/31/11, 08:25 PM

Oh, dear. Don't look at that pic. I have lost weight since then, and .... well. You know. Sigh.

Just to make life more interesting (and confusing for goat rookies), here's a pic of the southern engineered set up I use sometimes. It's the Udderly EZ Milker bottle hooked to the vacuum line that goes to the pulsator on a belly milker.

I got the belly milker all set up and hated it. Using the EZ Milker bottle, I don't have to wash milk lines!

Udderly EZ - Goats

LoneStrChic23 · #7 02/04/11, 10:38 PM

Thanks so much Alice

What appeals to me with the Udderly EZ is the container attached to it..... I don't want an actual milking machine... I don't have a milk room and the goat pen is at the back of my property so I don't want to lug something bulky with me multiple times a day..... just more hassle than I want to deal with. The Udderly EZ looked simple, compact & would make milking easy & clean until I'm able to get an actual milk room...

I just didn't want to invest in it if it was flimsy or poorly made.

Does the goat milking kit on the udderly ez website have everything I need for milking minis as well as full sized goats or is there anything on the accessories page I should order as well? Was thinking of getting some extra bottles but wanted to see if there's anything else I should get? BTW-are the bottles glass or plastic?

Thanks again!

oberhaslikid · #8 02/05/11, 06:48 AM

The bottles are plastic and order the quart bottles if you want to buy extra.I use them more then anything.Be careful when washing the trigger part its not suppose to be immersed in water.This is where I got mine.
http://www.avolinofarm.com/udderlyez.htm

Ellie Mae · #9 02/05/11, 09:29 AM

I hope it's ok to copy and paste something from another thread here...

We have two of the Maggidan's milkers and I was so happy to read this info about the inline strainer I wanted to let others know about it in case they have the same frustration!

If I can ever figure out photobucket (arrgh) I will post pics of the setup we use now.
I ordered the milk containers for the Maggidan's but they are hard to carry (no handles), so
Dh took a 3 gallon food grade bucket with lid, drilled a small opening in the lid for the tubing to go into..now the milk goes directly into the bucket and it prevents hair, dirt, hooves and spills, I love it!

Here is the post...and thank you bbbuddy.

06/30/09, 01:56 AM
bbbuddy Join Date: Jul 2002
Posts: 426

I have used a Maggiedan's milker for over a year, on a ND and a first freshener with little tiny teats, and it IS way easier than hand milking them. BUT BUT BUT there was a steep learning curve.

1.)
Many problems with clogging the one way valves, until I went ahead and ordered the in-line strainer they have. In my opinion, they should not even sell their milker without the strainer.
Oh man did I have problems before the strainer. Amost threw it away in disgust.

2.)
I always dip the end of the teat cup in water to get a good seal on the teat. Helps a bunch.

3.)
Also, the spring inside the milker broke, so I ordered a replacement pump from American Livestock Supply for $18. Way cheaper than from Maggiedans...

4.)
If you put one together yourself, BUY THE INLINE STRAINER FROM MAGGIEDANS!!!

Alice In TX/MO · #10 02/05/11, 10:07 AM

Yes, I bought a case of extra quart bottles.

After a year or so, you will need replacement O rings for the bottles. They do dry out and crack, and you lose your vacuum. You can also take one of the O rings to your local hardware store and find some the same size for MUCH cheaper.

BE SURE YOU USE THE SILICONE INSERT for mini goats. It not only fits the goat better, but it directs the milk down into the bottle so that it doesn't get into the vacuum mechanism. VERY IMPORTANT.

valsey · #11 02/08/11, 08:46 PM

I didn't care for the udderly EZ. Maybe I was using it incorrectly.

LoneStrChic23 · #12 02/09/11, 10:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by valsey

I didn't care for the udderly EZ. Maybe I was using it incorrectly.

If you don't mind me asking.....What problems did you have with it & what things in particular did you not like??

I haven't ordered yet, my funds got tied up replacing busted water lines and repairing damage from 2 rooms in my house flooding

Like hearing pros and cons on things like this before I buy

valsey · #13 02/09/11, 11:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LoneStrChic23

If you don't mind me asking.....What problems did you have with it & what things in particular did you not like??

I haven't ordered yet, my funds got tied up replacing busted water lines and repairing damage from 2 rooms in my house flooding

Like hearing pros and cons on things like this before I buy

I'm running out for a bit - will respond in depth later. You may consider buying mine from me. I don't think I'll ever need it.

more later

Alice In TX/MO · #14 02/09/11, 12:25 PM

You know I have one and use one, but I don't mind giving the "cons" as well.

1. You still have to pump and pump, so if you getting it due to arthritis, it may not be the best solution.
2. You must be careful to use it correctly, including the process of assembly and dis-assembly, because some of the parts can break if not treated with care.
3. I wish it had glass collection receptacles. Getting plastic really clean after repeated usage worries me a bit.
4. Be sure you order the right inserts for your goats. It makes a huge difference to use the mini-goat insert. If you use the large one on a mini, too much of the teat goes into the device, and the fleshy part of the udder squooshes into it and the flow of milk is stopped.

valsey · #15 02/09/11, 08:04 PM

Alice has given you far more information than I ever could. It's been years since I used mine, and I gave up after less than 10 tries. I had never milked a goat before in my life. And maybe milking machines are supposed to do this, but if memory serves me, it was like the thing stretched the teat out from the suction. (Do they?). So anyway, I stopped using it.

Let me know if you'd be interested in a used one and I'll dig it up.

Alice In TX/MO · #16 02/09/11, 08:12 PM

All milking machines work by vacuum, so yes, there is an aspect of stretching going on, no matter if it's the EZ Milker or a big milking system on a dairy farm. That is another reason that using the right size silicone insert is important. The insert supports the sides of the teat. The teats of my goats have not been elongated or stretched out of shape or damaged by the EZ Milker.

One caution I've heard about the EZ Milker is that it is a constant suction instead of pulsation. I never saw any damage to the teats due to this. I'm assuming if you over pumped the vacuum device, it could happen.

Cheribelle · #17 02/10/11, 02:49 AM

My Dad ordered this one for me! So when it shows up I will have a go at it.

Cyngbaeld · #18 02/10/11, 12:04 PM

It helps to massage the udder with one hand while holding the udderly ez in the other. Milk will flow better.

I like the convenience of having something that can be carried out to the pen or to the barn. I have a milking machine but not hooked up yet and no pump. I'll probably want it this yr with 8 does freshening.

LoneStrChic23 · #19 02/14/11, 08:09 PM

Thanks everyone...really appreciate it!

I took Oberhaslikid's suggestion on who to purchase from (thanks for the recomendation BTW)

I bought mine here:

http://www.avolinofarm.com/udderlyez.htm

They are having a spring special on their goat & sheep milking kits.... I ordered the Goat Milker Kit, the 2 Pack of extra Quart bottles, PLUS 2 day priority shipping and my grand total for everything was $173.05!

That's cheaper than the milking kit alone (without the extra bottles) from Jeffers or the UdderlyEZ website, with much faster shipping (The UdderlyEZ website says there can be a 2-3 week delay due to this being the busy season)

Got great customer service from the guy, he offered tips on use and care and sent me a shipping confirmation 2 hours after I paypaled him the funds...

Can't wait to try this out

goto10 · #20 02/15/11, 12:44 PM

Can anyone tell me if this actually saves time over hand milking? I will have 3 nigerians coming into milk this spring along with 1 or 2 sheep and I may have less time to milk in the morning before work than I did last year plus extra sheep/goats to milk so anything that can save me time is worth the money, although I don't have enough money for a huge machine.

And I see there are goat and sheep kits but can the goat kits be used on sheep? I mean what's the difference?