I thought maybe I would share the paper I wrote on My approach on Milking My Nigi's or any Goat for that matter. I hope you enjoy it. I loved writing it.
How to Milk a Goat
By Natalie Walker
Did you know that those with Milk protein allergies can Drink Goats milk because it has smaller protein and fat globules than Cows Milk? But Today I wanted to teach about Milking Goats and what you would need to be able to successfully milk your own Goat.
For starters you will need 3 Stainless steel Buckets one that is either 2 or 6qt depending on the size of your Goat and the amount she produces and the other 2 Buckets should be able to hold 6qts each 1 for holding hot soapy water and 1 with a lid to hold all the capacity of milk you would have if you milking more than one Doe. Next you would need a small bowl or cup(This is called a Strip cup.) To catch the first 2-3 squirts of milk from each teat, A teat Dip or Disenfectant, Grain (To entertain her.), A Milking Stanchion, And of course a Goat that is in Milk (Preferably one who has already been milked before and will be patient with your learning curve.)
Now we will get started. The Following Instructions are How I like to do it but there are many Owners who do it differently. I First bring my goat into the Milking room where the stanchion is, guide her onto it, and Lock her head in. I wash her Udder with a Rag dipped and wrung out with Soapy water to help her let down her Milk and then Dry her off with a paper towel. The first 2-3 squirts of Milk are put into the Strip Cup to observe if the Doe has any signs of Mastitis which is an Inflamation and Infection of the udder because these first 2-3 squirts of milk contain the Most Bacteria. Then I give the Goat her Grain preferably 16-18% protein mix fed 1/2lb for every 1lb of Milk produced.
To Finally get to the Milking of this How to. First off you want to start at the top of the teat where it connects to the Udder and Gently but Firmly close off the Milk with your Fore-Finger and Thumb and in succession close off the Milk in the teat with each of your remaining fingers utill the Milk if forced to come out of the Orofice. You will do this switching from left hand to right to left to right untill there is no more milk coming out you can Gently Massage her Udder to get the last of it out. I wash her udder again with the soapy water and dry it off. Then I rub or Dip her teats in a Disenfectant ( I use a lotion and Essential oil Mixture) This will help the Udder from getting infected for the 15-30 Minutes before the Orofices close up after milking.
I hope this paper was informative and helpful to all the new Milkmaids just getting into Milking. I also hope that this will help the beginner in the endeavor to milk successfully. My experiance with milking goats has been at times a bumpy ride to convince the goat that you are there to help and not to scare it but all these experience has been an adventure to remember that is for sure.
How to Milk a Goat
By Natalie Walker
Did you know that those with Milk protein allergies can Drink Goats milk because it has smaller protein and fat globules than Cows Milk? But Today I wanted to teach about Milking Goats and what you would need to be able to successfully milk your own Goat.
For starters you will need 3 Stainless steel Buckets one that is either 2 or 6qt depending on the size of your Goat and the amount she produces and the other 2 Buckets should be able to hold 6qts each 1 for holding hot soapy water and 1 with a lid to hold all the capacity of milk you would have if you milking more than one Doe. Next you would need a small bowl or cup(This is called a Strip cup.) To catch the first 2-3 squirts of milk from each teat, A teat Dip or Disenfectant, Grain (To entertain her.), A Milking Stanchion, And of course a Goat that is in Milk (Preferably one who has already been milked before and will be patient with your learning curve.)
Now we will get started. The Following Instructions are How I like to do it but there are many Owners who do it differently. I First bring my goat into the Milking room where the stanchion is, guide her onto it, and Lock her head in. I wash her Udder with a Rag dipped and wrung out with Soapy water to help her let down her Milk and then Dry her off with a paper towel. The first 2-3 squirts of Milk are put into the Strip Cup to observe if the Doe has any signs of Mastitis which is an Inflamation and Infection of the udder because these first 2-3 squirts of milk contain the Most Bacteria. Then I give the Goat her Grain preferably 16-18% protein mix fed 1/2lb for every 1lb of Milk produced.
To Finally get to the Milking of this How to. First off you want to start at the top of the teat where it connects to the Udder and Gently but Firmly close off the Milk with your Fore-Finger and Thumb and in succession close off the Milk in the teat with each of your remaining fingers utill the Milk if forced to come out of the Orofice. You will do this switching from left hand to right to left to right untill there is no more milk coming out you can Gently Massage her Udder to get the last of it out. I wash her udder again with the soapy water and dry it off. Then I rub or Dip her teats in a Disenfectant ( I use a lotion and Essential oil Mixture) This will help the Udder from getting infected for the 15-30 Minutes before the Orofices close up after milking.
I hope this paper was informative and helpful to all the new Milkmaids just getting into Milking. I also hope that this will help the beginner in the endeavor to milk successfully. My experiance with milking goats has been at times a bumpy ride to convince the goat that you are there to help and not to scare it but all these experience has been an adventure to remember that is for sure.