Finally got my kids milking!!

Muleman · #1 07/24/14, 01:24 PM

Well, as I have mentioned on here before my kids have Nigerian Dwarfs and 1 or 2 Pygmy's I believe. They have been selling their offspring mainly as pets, but have had some interest in milk goats for the Nigerians. They have always put off milking and never really took it seriously or as something they wanted to do. I finally got them convinced it was worth while and would make their goats more valuable if they could show production records and actually market them as milk goats instead of just pets. I build them a new milking stand (I will attach pics later). We also went to the sale a few weeks ago and I bought an old, as in OLD Lamancha and she is just the sweetest nanny ever. They have always shied away from the bigger goats (and she is a big one) as they were afraid they would not be able to handle them. Now they say they would keep her even if only as a pet because she was so nice to be around. She is like a big dog and comes and meets you when she sees you and leads like a well trained dog.
Sorry, if I am rambling a bit, but I just feel like we have made such good progress, getting them milking and also seeing them understand that well trained large goats are just as easy to handle as their small goats.
I also talked them into taking them all to be tested before we started milking. Our vet said we are not in an area where they need to be tested for CL and CAE, but he did test for Brucellouses, they all come back clean. So know they are milking 2 of the Nigerians and getting a little over a few cups of milk a day I believe. They are trying to figure it all out and keep some records of production. I will post some pics that I have below of the Milk stand and I will see if I have some pics of the goats on my computer and post them as well, as I know everyone likes pictures!!! I also made them a rechargeable milker to use and I will make a separate post for that I guess. The milker was quite easy to make and inexpensive.
Anyway thanks to everyone here for your help in the last few months, a lot of your information really helped me get them started milking. I thought I would mention, not sure if you can see it well in the pictures, but I have a rail running down the left side of the stand, where the goat goes. I also have a rail for the right side, so a bad goat or one that needs training could be tethered between to secure them. The rail on the right side is kinda in the way for milking so I made it where it could be bolted in place if needed and then removed for easier access for milking well trained goats when it is not needed.

Now for the pics. of the milking stand.

Muleman · #2 07/24/14, 01:32 PM

Here is a picture of the old Lamancha I bought at the sale. I know she is old and she may not be the highest producer or even last for years, but she has made my kids see that size is not a limiting factor. They have gained a lot of confidence with her since she has proven so easy to handle and that was well worth her price. BTW, she is dry now and they are planning to see if they can get her back into good shape and maybe breed her next year. If not she will simply live out her life here as a pet. I am not big on farm animals that do not earn their keep, but she will be an exception if that is the case, she is just that nice to be around!! Maybe all lamanchas are that way, IDK?? never had one before, but I think the kids will definitely be considering them in the future after their experience with her!

Muleman · #3 07/24/14, 01:35 PM

Here is a picture of their Nigerian Billy. He is living in the pasture with my pigs now, until his services are needed again. He does not seem to take to the pigs much. Not afraid of them and neither bother each other, but he just seems to not bond with them at all??

Muleman · #4 07/24/14, 01:37 PM

Here is a picture of a few of their goats. I think they were getting ready to milk them or something, as they had them in the front yard with their leashes on already.

CAjerseychick · #5 07/24/14, 01:49 PM

Awww what a great set up, you are quite the crafts man! I think my daughter is starting to want to milk again (she dried up our Obherhasli this spring d/t sports practice, school, and piano activities!) and we dont have a billy....
Its great isnt it when the kids get motivated!

Ziptie · #6 07/24/14, 02:10 PM

Well,if you get board or run out of projects you are welcome to come over to our place and help build one of those pretty little milk stands over here.

punchiepal · #7 07/24/14, 05:05 PM

Looks like a nice little set up.

Brucellosis and TB are worthy of testing if you drink the milk since they can be passed to humans through milk. However, the vet is sadly misled if he think "area" has anything to do with CAE or CL. I would highly recommend getting them tested for CAE before dam raising. Since the kids have been so good about learning about their goats maybe have them do a project of looking up what CAE in goats is and how it affects goats as they age and how it can kill the young ones.