thinking outloud here, thoughts please

chewie · #1 07/08/12, 02:33 PM

I am drowning in milk. I sold one doe a few weeks ago. I do not want to sell any more, I only have 2 milkers. they are just 2yo.

I have lots of cheese, mostly mozz, already frozen. just can't swing a cheese cave yet, and have other obligations that so much cheese making is taking too much time.

thinking to go down to once a day milking. they are each giving around 9-10lb per day yet, in this heat. if I didn't milk them all the way out each night for a week or two, milking less each night, but empty each morning, would this work? not having to milk at night would be a big help right now with other things, plus less cost for feed. they would only get feed on the stand, in the mornings. we are working on opening up a larger area for them, so they will be getting more browse soon too.

my other thought was to get a coupla hogs, but this won't help much with the time issue. plus, corn is terribly high right now, not real sure that'd pan out money-wise.

would like some thoughts/help to decide, the sale is on mondays to get pigs.

Alice In TX/MO · #2 07/08/12, 03:08 PM

Yessum, that will work!

I found that I've got to eat milk products (either yogurt, chevre, cheddar, etc) at LEAST once a day, give some away, and freeze some to even begin to keep up.

Ford Zoo · #3 07/08/12, 03:44 PM

I cut back to once a day milking every year due to my work schedule. Goats havn't had a problem with it yet. If you get the pigs, milk will make them your best freind!!

Ranger · #4 07/08/12, 03:46 PM

I have the same problem. WAYYY too much milk. I drink a LOT of milk, but I just don't have the time to make cheese. Plus I live in an old farm house without air conditioning, so the summer heat makes cooking anything quite a chore. The pigs a very happy with all the milk, and they will taste great this fall!

silverseeds · #5 07/08/12, 03:51 PM

Im not trying to take the thread off topic, but if pigs like goat milk, Im wondering if chickens would take up any slack as well?

coso · #6 07/08/12, 04:09 PM

I feed chickens milk, 10 or twelve hens will take a half a gallon a day, no problem. I have a couple feeder pigs now. They try to catch it in there mouths when I pour it on there ground feed. They will take whatever you will give them. A Calf will take up to three gallon or so a day when it get's to be a month or so old. Just don't start them out this way, have to build up to that, or you will have scouring dead calves. Dogs, cats, whatever. I fed 500 lb jersey steers extra one year. Everything else was burnt out on milk and I was burnt out on making cheese.

mabeane · #7 07/08/12, 04:25 PM

I have just gone down to once a day with my three ND milkers as 6 quarts a day was way too much for just two old folks. It has helped and we are down to 2 to 3 quarts in the morning. I do make cheese, yogurt, ice cream, freeze some, sell some give some away...

chewie · #8 07/08/12, 04:34 PM

so, the best way to go down to once a day....milk out thoroughly in the morning, and only some at night for a few days/a week?

thanks for letting me ramble a bit and talking it thru wtih me. I really need to reduce my at-home workload, my day job is needing more attention.

I would like to take on the hogs, but with the price of corn, I might be better off finding a locker that sells in bulk this year. then less milking, less goat feed, less cost all around. and less time. sort of a 'have my cake and eat it too' thing!

motdaugrnds · #9 07/08/12, 04:55 PM

I have a similar problem in that our 4 does will give almost 4 gallons daily. This what I do and nothing gets wasted:

After the kids are weaned, the does have already slowed their production due to the weaning process. (The kids that didn't sell are taken off and placed in what we call our slaughter pen for fattening.) Then I start milking the does once a day. In one day we already have near 4 gallons. Thus, whenever I see we're getting too much milk for family use, I start creating "condensed milk" from it. (Better than store bought and saves money as I would otherwise use a lot of canned milk.)

For anyone who does know how to condense their own goat milk:
1. Strain it fresh into tall pan on low burner...simmer...
2. Stir often making sure to keep it off the bottom of pan.
3. After hours of simmering and it is reduced at least half (I prefer 60-70% reduction.) pour into tall bowl that is sitting in icy cold water and let cool.
4. Place in "pint-sized" freezer ziplocks. (They keep indefinately if you make sure there are no air bubbles left when closing bags.)

When want to use, simply thaw one bag (in refrig) and pour into whatever glass container you use for condensed milk and enjoy. (I can save over $1,200 a year in food money doing this!)

Backfourty,MI. · #10 07/08/12, 06:26 PM

Thanks motdaugrnds for the condensed milk "How to". I am only milking a couple of my girls once a day right now & wondering what to do with all our milk. I have some frozen for soap & a couple gallons in the fridge right now & was thinking what I should make with that.
Actually was thinking of drying them up since I am getting too much milk but 1 is sold &leaving in a couple weeks & I'll be down to only milking 1.

Sherry in Iowa · #11 07/09/12, 09:05 AM

chewie..that's how we used to drop them down to one milking. Just a gradual lessening of what you take at night.

Our chickens used to LOVE goats milk..so did the cats, the dogs, etc.

andabigmac · #12 07/09/12, 11:51 AM

I feed whole grains with some supplements to my chickens. I pour milk on it and let it sit a day or so. My chickens seem to like it better that way than fresh and by itself. Plus my goose doesn't try to bathe in it.

My pigs get fed hay, garden scraps, whey, and milk with some minerals sprinkled in. They do great on that diet. They're just being raised as feeders though. They don't get corn or grain. It takes me a few months longer to feed them out but they're fat and happy.

chewie · #13 07/12/12, 10:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by motdaugrnds

I have a similar problem in that our 4 does will give almost 4 gallons daily. This what I do and nothing gets wasted:

After the kids are weaned, the does have already slowed their production due to the weaning process. (The kids that didn't sell are taken off and placed in what we call our slaughter pen for fattening.) Then I start milking the does once a day. In one day we already have near 4 gallons. Thus, whenever I see we're getting too much milk for family use, I start creating "condensed milk" from it. (Better than store bought and saves money as I would otherwise use a lot of canned milk.)

For anyone who does know how to condense their own goat milk:
1. Strain it fresh into tall pan on low burner...simmer...
2. Stir often making sure to keep it off the bottom of pan.
3. After hours of simmering and it is reduced at least half (I prefer 60-70% reduction.) pour into tall bowl that is sitting in icy cold water and let cool.
4. Place in "pint-sized" freezer ziplocks. (They keep indefinately if you make sure there are no air bubbles left when closing bags.)

When want to use, simply thaw one bag (in refrig) and pour into whatever glass container you use for condensed milk and enjoy. (I can save over $1,200 a year in food money doing this!)

so, you are drinking this milk later?? like when the does are dried? or using for cooking? and how long would it take to do say, 5 gallons? I have so much milk right now its crazy. 10 gallons or more. I am out of jars, room, and don't have my cheese cave controller yet. oh please tell me more!

KrisD · #14 07/12/12, 11:26 AM

I'm in the same boat. I'm thinking about canning some of the milk to use in cooking when the girls are dry.

mpete · #15 07/12/12, 02:03 PM

I give my extra milk to the chickens.... its good protein and the calcium is much easier to absorb than oyster shell... heck, even my peafowl and pheasants get it... also, my LGD REFUSES to east his dog food unless we pour milk over it...( makes him think it's cereal so he doesn't 'degrade' himself by eating 'dog food')

Backfourty,MI. · #16 07/12/12, 08:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chewie

so, you are drinking this milk later?? like when the does are dried? or using for cooking? and how long would it take to do say, 5 gallons? I have so much milk right now its crazy. 10 gallons or more. I am out of jars, room, and don't have my cheese cave controller yet. oh please tell me more!

I was wondering the same thing. I was thinking of using it for baking, cooking & maybe like coffee creamer like my grandma did in the old days with Pet milk in the little cans from the store.

Backfourty,MI. · #17 07/12/12, 08:19 PM

Just got another idea thinking about the coffee creamer. I wonder if we could cook it down like the condensed milk & add a little sugar & a flavoring of your choice to make the flavored coffee creamer?

andabigmac · #18 07/12/12, 10:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Backfourty,MI.

Just got another idea thinking about the coffee creamer. I wonder if we could cook it down like the condensed milk & add a little sugar & a flavoring of your choice to make the flavored coffee creamer?

I make runny cajeta for my creamer.

Backfourty,MI. · #19 07/13/12, 09:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by andabigmac

I make runny cajeta for my creamer.

You just don't cook it very long to get the runny cajeta?

I was thinking maybe adding like Mint flavoring or amaretto & have flavored coffee creamers too.

andabigmac · #20 07/13/12, 10:46 AM

I usually start with a big batch of cajeta and scoop some out and put it in a jar when its about halfway done. I let the rest finish cooking down. It's nice and creamy and you don't need much in your coffee. I add chocolate or a cinnamon stick to the jar usually. Yum.