Rancho Burrito Farm

Hello,

This morning we milked Dasher, our Nigerian Dwarf Goat.  Here is a video...

I got a little over a cup of milk.  I have been working with Dasher for several weeks.  My Dad built the milking stand that you see in the video as a birthday present for me.  Here is the link to the plans for the milk stand that my Dad built:  www.fiascofarm.com/goats/milkstand.html

I have been researching the techniques for hand-milking.  Here are the steps in order that I have been following to ensure safe milk...

1.  I brush off the goat to remove loose goat hair and dirt.
2.  I wipe off her teat and udders with antibacterial hand wipes.
3.  I then dry it off with a paper towel.
4.  Milk 5 squirts from each teat into a little cup to check for blood, clumps, and strings (which identifies mastitis).
5.  Then I begin milking into a container that has a lid so that I can close it up after milking to keep dirt out of the milk.
6.  I bring the milk into the house and put a coffee filter over a jar and strain the milk to remove any excess hair and dirt.
7.  I then put a lid on the jar and place it in the freezer for a couple of hours (depending on the amount of milk).
8.  Then after it has been in for a couple of hours, I put it in the refrigerator and keep it refrigerated until I drink it.

I have used the milk in making pancakes, banana bread, cereal, chocolate milk, and macaroni and cheese.

After we milked Dasher, we milked another goat named Dancer.  This was the first time that I milked her and actually got any milk.  She moved around a little bit on the milking stand and kicked some, but she did good for her first time.