Milking for the First Time

Having a full-grown goat for the first time brings with it a long line of "firsts."  Maybe most importantly is the "first" milking.  Although I know I can milk, I woke up yesterday morning with a knot in my stomach.  It was anticipation all rolled up in a tight ball.

What a beautiful morning!

I don't have all of the supplies needed for milking yet--like a nice milk pail or strainers--but I collected what I could from the kitchen.  I mixed up an iodine/water solution in a small cup.  It was mostly water with a few squirts of iodine.  I also grabbed a metal mixing bowl and some rags.  Then I headed out the front door.

Charlotte has been spooked by almost everything, and getting her on the milk stand was no exception!  We chased her around the goat pen, grabbed her collar, hugged her, pulled, and coaxed.  We offered some grain and led her to the milking stand.  She was NOT going to hop up on it.  With no other options, I lifted her front legs onto the milk stand.  But I was only halfway there!  I also had to lift up her back legs.  Goats are heavy, not to mention determined to have their own selfish way!

Charlotte's head was safely secured in the milk stand and soon began munching away at the grain.  There were a few large rocks placed in the feed box to cause her to manipulate the grain thus make the grain "last" longer.

Charlotte's udder was not quite full in this picture, but it gives a good idea!

I gently wiped off Charlotte's udders with a rag dipped in the iodine solution.  Her udder was really tight, like it might pop.  I placed my fists around the teats and started squeezing.  I tried several different methods, squeezing both teats at one time, squeezing alternately, squeezing fast, and squeezing slow.  It was fun!  I leaned into Charlotte's side.  My arm muscles ached, but it was good.

The goat did well.  I estimated that the whole process took around 10 minutes.  Charlotte got a little antsy and somehow her foot got in the bowl.  There was milk on me and milk all over the stand.  Uh-oh!  But my goal was just to get the milk out, not necessary get it ready to drink.   I'll work on precision later.  I didn't milk Charlotte until she was dry because I wanted to leave a little milk for Elly May to drink later.

 Getting a sip!

After milking time, I weighed the milk.  She milked 3lbs. 9oz. which is about a half gallon!  She probably milked more than this because I didn't get it all in the bowl!  

I poured the milk into two quart mason jars and put it in the freezer to cool it down.  I will eventually feed this milk to Edna.  Those two full glass jars made me feel like a real milkmaid.  I had successfully milked my goat for the first time, and the satisfaction that came with it was wonderful.

Mission Accomplished...