Goat Milker In Action! | Tips & Advice For Beginner Milkers

[@SageandStoneHomestead]

Do you have any recommendations for an electric pulse goat milker for me to use?

[@TheHeavenlyHomestead]

I’ll report back when I start using mine, mine is the danish’s farms… I’ll let you know my experience Mine is around 200 but is not a fancy one Maybe in the future

[@TheHeavenlyHomestead]

But there are amazing ones simple pulse ones that are around 1300

[@IttyBitty1973]

Blue Cactus Dairy Goats and Weed'em & Reap have vlogs on great machines.

[@cindyboard7816]

Leslie at Inskeep Acres covers her machine set up too!

[@SageandStoneHomestead]

I know Blue Cactus' friend at Desert Hardt uses Simple Pulse. I will see if crystal says what brand she uses? I saw videos from Weed-em and I didn't hear them mention a brand either, but what I saw were just shorts.

[@mandyg888]

Brilliant on the leash butt harness!

[@SageandStoneHomestead]

Thanks!! It has been super necessary sometimes and has saved a ton of frustration!

[@cindyboard7816]

Thanks for sharing the product! I see that being very beneficial for someone with animals that are not typically milked, like beef cattle. Most beef cattle will not allow milking and on occasion a farmer may have a calf in need of colostrum. If the calf can't get the colostrum from the mother the hand pump would be very helpful in my opinion. I don't have any experience with the milk machines but recently watched a goat farmer cover their machine specifics. The channel is Inskeep Acres. The episode is Setting Up the Milk Machine. Thanks for a very interesting video and stay safe!

[@SageandStoneHomestead]

I'll go look that up!! Thank you so much!! And yes these types of little handheld pumps are great for skittish animals!

[@TheHeavenlyHomestead]

10:52 i hate when I’m milking one with short teats and when I do that motion I get it on my fingers before it hits the pail 😂😂😂

[@SageandStoneHomestead]

It happens to me A LOT! I have to be more intentional and precise with the tiny teats lol

[@TheHeavenlyHomestead]

@@SageandStoneHomestead i blame it on the position of my fingers so I waste sooo much time repositioning 😆 but we will get there🤔

[@TheHeavenlyHomestead]

11:41 i think it’s a neat tool for maybe extract colostrum when they just gave birth, most of my girls are good at letting me milk them in the stall to help give some in the bottle to multiples but I know Gaia and Bri would have freaked out 😂

[@SageandStoneHomestead]

Skittish goats really do tolerate the milker better than hands!

[@TheHeavenlyHomestead]

Im so excited for the upcoming births! I’m so looking forward to it 10:04 … now back to the video 😂

[@SageandStoneHomestead]

Me too!! Talia is due the 28th, Baerli (Nigerian) is due May 2, and then Elpis is May12 and Calamity May 13. So we are about a month away from kidding season coming to a close (for now, I'm breeding 3 nigerians that kidded this past fall in early May for more fall milk)!

[@TheHeavenlyHomestead]

@@SageandStoneHomestead i love the plan and I personally love that they are all due before Athene 😆 that will get me excited for my sweet girl’s birth I need to confess she is not getting as much attention from me like the others momma did ☹️ It’s just so crazy chaotic with milking and chores with babies that I feel like I need more hours in the day to devote to my sweet girl… I think I want them all bred closer next year but not the same week if I can avoid it 😫 Im writing those dates down! I’ll be praying for an effortless wonderful delivery for each girl ❤️ But I just confess the more goats I own, the more I see there is always something going on, always…. It got me thinking!

[@scottgregory4837]

I hope your elbow gets better soon, I am sorry you are going through that. I have been watching your videos for a while now. I am getting my farm next year in south east Kentucky. I love your videos thanks.

[@SageandStoneHomestead]

YAY congrats!!!

[@MtnGrandma]

Thank you for the review of this product! I need to get one of these!! 😊❤

[@SageandStoneHomestead]

You're so welcome! Thanks for watching!

[@sparkleflair]

What an interesting video! Thanks for sharing :)

[@SageandStoneHomestead]

Thanks for being here! ♥♥

[@TheHeavenlyHomestead]

13:25 i also agree on the hand milking, my goal is to breed Easy to milk udders, texture and manners, that is why I’m not using the milk machine… once the new moms are out of their no. Sense days then I want to use the machine and finish with hand milking

[@SageandStoneHomestead]

Patient Milking does with great udders are such a blessing!! Thank you for creating them!!

[@TheHeavenlyHomestead]

@@SageandStoneHomestead 🤗 they test my patience every morning 😂 I share in todays video my dreading and excited thoughts about milking at night 😂😂 I bought teat tape to wean this year, but I’m weaning at all different dates sooo… I need brain power to decide who I need to put it on 🫣

[@sedanchevy6323]

Hi. My goat will not let her milk down with any machine. Suggestions please! I can hand milk her but like you I have arm and hand weakness. I really need this Udderly EZ to work. Help please! And thank you for this terrific video video!

[@kerriofczarzakkfofczarzak3343]

I love my milking machine for all my goats. I only have to finish out the udder by hand just a little. I love your girls. I have one I call sweet potato teats. Keep up the great work and great videos!!!!!

[@SageandStoneHomestead]

Sweet potato teats LOL! What milker do you have?

[@rachel4483]

Hey, Johnson Family Farmstead has a how to video on how to make a pulsating milk machine if you ever want to build your own. I had to switch the pulsator/gauge order, but I decided to build one as an experiment/backup milker. I went cheap and it was about $600ish all told, which for a milk machine is "cheap".

[@SageandStoneHomestead]

Yes that is cheap for a milk machine!! I'll be watching videos on milkers all afternoon I'm sure!!

[@ArreisMorsCI]

That milker is great for sheep too!!!!

[@SageandStoneHomestead]

Yes I've seen Sandi Brock use one on her channel!

[@vixxcottage]

I used that brand 20 years ago but it was different. When it first came out it was much better. You could actually place barrels onto teat with the pump separately and made my life so much easier. I tried to get parts for my old one but have been unsuccessful.

[@SageandStoneHomestead]

That sounds a lot like the pumps from Dansha farms. Have you looked at those?

[@vixxcottage]

@@SageandStoneHomestead when udderly EZ came out you could actually milk directly into a canning jar. Barrels over teats and tubing to canning jar. Could do both teats at same time. I had gallon milkers so had each side hooked to a half gallon jar. It was amazing. I spoke with designer and he only makes this model which will not work for me.

[@SageandStoneHomestead]

Ah I see!! Interesting, I wonder why they changed? Probably the inability to patent a milker like that? I'm so sorry! I wonder if parts from a Dansha Milker would work.

[@vixxcottage]

@@SageandStoneHomestead now that changed people have to purchase those plastic bottles constant source of income. B4 if bought set up no further purchases necessary. Financial is my belief.

[@SageandStoneHomestead]

You may be right!!! The bottles are sturdy but nothing like a glass mason jar, which has so many practical uses!

[@rachel4483]

I highly recommend a capralite setup. There is less of a learning curve and customer service is good. I'm sorry to hear your elbow is giving you trouble.

[@SageandStoneHomestead]

Thank you! I have Googled until my fingers bleed (not really) and nothing but stuff from Amazon comes up, which... I'm sure works well in some cases but I'm looking for a very good machine that lasts. I didn't realize you had one !

[@meghorne9636]

The gentleman from Zion Farms has something similar that he just got, I think. But his is electric. That would give your elbow even more relief.

[@SageandStoneHomestead]

I definitely am in the market for an electric milker! I'll check his out!

[@elainehinton2860]

Thanks for this! I’ve seen this used, Sandi Brock especially uses it for collecting colostrum or releasing pressure so babies can latch on. Do you have a concern for the constant suction? We recently purchased a pulsating milk machine with adjustable suction for small livestock. It does work well enough, but doesn’t really matter on my doe that completely collapses and pops the milker off. Def going to have to adjust my stanchion so I can harness her in a standing position.

[@SageandStoneHomestead]

I'm so glad you found something you like!!! Someone else mentioned Hantop. I do have concern for the constant suction for sure. It's why I don't like the brake bleeder pumps, it's just.... not the way milk was intended to be expressed in my opinion and can cause damage. I think the inflations on this pump help shield and protect the teat more than the syringes used on brake bleeder pumps, but it's definitely not ideal. I'm so grateful all of our outbuildings have power!!! It's spoiled us for sure but been so useful. Strap that mama up if you have to! She will learn!

[@TheHeavenlyHomestead]

15:14 i want the milking machine training on the girls for that reason, if I can’t it’s easiest enough that somebody else with direction can do it

[@SageandStoneHomestead]

Right!!! I've only been so sick that I couldn't milk once. Thankfully every doe had kids I could leave out with her but that won't always be the case! Unfortunately that day BOTH Levi and I were down at the same time. That was rough.

[@TheHeavenlyHomestead]

@@SageandStoneHomestead oh that’s bad! I hope you are feeling better ❤️ nothing but good ol’ health to remind us what we can work on 😆

[@SageandStoneHomestead]

Yes this was last summer!

[@CountryRhoadsHomestead]

Very helpful video! Thank you

[@SageandStoneHomestead]

You're so welcome! Thanks for watching!❤️

[@rachelpotter6545]

Great video as always heather..I'm having some of the same issues with my elbow/forearm it's been bothering me a couple months. Hopefully I get some answers here in the future what's going on with it

[@SageandStoneHomestead]

My chiropractor had me do certain finger exercises that were the opposite of what I was doing to cause the pain. For me this involved hyperextending the fingers backwards without bending the wrist.

[@merryanneadair4451]

Your experience with the EZmilker is the the same as mine. Still much prefer hand milking. Arthritis is catching up with my hands, though if I can work through the pain & stiffness the first week or so, my hands improve greatly! Wonderful informative video, I'm looking forward to learning about other milking machine possibilities. I had an older Hoeggar machine that required so much time to clean, I sold it & went back to milking by hand. I'm certain there HAS to be more user friendly options! Prayers for your arm!! God bless!

[@SageandStoneHomestead]

It looks like simple pulse is pretty easy to clean, at least day to day, it may need a more intense cleaning every so often! I'm still researching! 💕🐐

[@doriskuhberger8559]

Very informative video today Heather. I love learning new things. Thank you for sharing. Doris, Penrith 🇦🇺🦘

[@SageandStoneHomestead]

Thanks for Watching! ❤️🐐

[@mandyg888]

Boy not sure my hand could hand the gun like position. I get trigger finger. I think I would be better off hand milking. I bet hand milking also builds a good bond... 🤷🏻‍♀️

[@SageandStoneHomestead]

Hand milking really is my absolute favorite!!

[@WlkInDWdz]

I have just a simple stainless steel dual head electric pulsating vacuum milker. I think it holds 5L. I like mine. Seems to do a good job but I am only milking 3 at the moment. Were milking a ND, Nubian and Mini Nubian. Not a fan of the cord but I've read that the rechargeable ones don't last much longer than a few doe. Thank you for the tip on keeping their back sides up. I'm going to have to try that on one of my fidgety girls.

[@SageandStoneHomestead]

It works so well when you need them to stand and just don't have the patience!

[@rachel4483]

Other things I can think of to pass on: transflow hoses expand and start letting go around 85-90 degrees. And simple pulse has these filtering bucket lids that fit totes. You can cut your own filters for them out of normal size filters. And if your simple pulse milk lines don't come with shutoff valves, buy a set and put them in. Also, a fountain pump makes cleaning milk lines a piece of cake. And dawn dish soap, acid rinse solution (cheaper than vinegar), and bleach are all in the cleaning rotation. Bulk tank dairy soap is hard on your skin so I went back to dawn. All my does took to machine milking easier than they did hand milking. I hate oil vacuum pumps. If you build, get oil less, not oil free or whatever. But they are expensive and priced out of my backup machine project so I got the "oil free" one you fill with oil.

[@SageandStoneHomestead]

All SUPER Helpful information, I'm willing to go pretty expensive to limit hassle and headaches. The Simple Pulse YT channel has some helpful videos about what to choose, and because the transflow doesn't work well in the cold either, I figured I'd go with the silicone ones ! Still need to look into capralite and a couple others. Midi? I think that was another brand.

[@nolliesteers3083]

Good morning Heather. I'm so sorry to hear about your elbow. I hope you are rubbing something on it every night. ❤❤❤

[@SageandStoneHomestead]

Yes I have a deep tissue salve that helps a ton! Thank you ♥

[@fatsilverback4753]

Thank you from us! We just started milking our first ever goat who is also a first fresh mom. we have stand trained our ladies already but this mom had a single kid that didn't make it, sooo. We learn g faster than anticipated. Oh, she's pygmy and our next to kid soon is nigerian.

[@SageandStoneHomestead]

You are so welcome, I'm sorry about the loss of the kid!

[@floraledet6973]

Your kids are so cute and getting big fast!!

[@SageandStoneHomestead]

They are monsters some of them!!!

[@floraledet6973]

@@SageandStoneHomestead KMSL 😂🤣

[@8EACRESHOMESTEAD]

Thank you Heather for showing us this! I have been curious if this would be worth it… I have carpal tunnel with this 8th pregnancy and this would save my hands, as well as let my kiddos help along at maybe a quicker pace… but if it takes a long while 🤔 thank you for your opinion and I hope it helps your arm! Take care--lacy🤓

[@SageandStoneHomestead]

It seems like it depends on the goat how long it takes! Margie always milks out faster than the pump but it's not the case with Schwanli!

[@8EACRESHOMESTEAD]

@@SageandStoneHomestead good to know! thank you!

[@SageandStoneHomestead]

Today Margie actually let down for the pump so maybe it takes getting used to sometimes!!

[@JanicePhillips]

Headed out with my Udderly EZ pump in hopes it helps with my first time freshener! We're new at this, but she's brand new and is quite spunky. Thankfully, she's an ND and I'm bigger. 😂❤🙏

[@SageandStoneHomestead]

How'd it go?! The first week or so can be so rough!

[@ImranA.KhanJawaid]

Thanks Thanks Thanks

[@kristyjful]

Hey Heather! I've watched all of your goat videos which have given me the confidence to raise my own. I will be getting some Nigerian Dwarfs in a couple weeks, some that are in milk. I will need to build a milking stand and wondered if you could just give me the dimensions of yours? The length, width of your seat as well as the width for the goat, and height to the platform would be awesome. 😁🐐🥛

[@SageandStoneHomestead]

Yes! Can you email me so I don't forget?! [e-mail]

[@leslied125]

elbow: take arnica 200 and (rhus tox 30 OR ruta 200). rhus tox if elbow stiff and better with movement, or ruta if elbow feels bruised, sore or aching. should help.

[@SageandStoneHomestead]

Thank you, we have lots of homeopathy. One of my issues is I sip on coffee all day long and it negates my dose. It's a struggle! Last night topical arnica Gel helped a lot

[@leslied125]

I had to give up my peppermint coffee...@@SageandStoneHomestead

[@rebeccazody1278]

Butt brace is great idea.

[@SageandStoneHomestead]

Thanks!!

[@mjhomestead-livingourdream4436]

what do you store your milk in and where can someone purchase the milk "jugs"?

[@SageandStoneHomestead]

We store it in half gallon jars, I got most of mine from caprine supply online, but you can use half gallon jars from ball. I've also used old gallon size olive jars! Get creative! ❤️

[@sonjam7291]

Hi Heather, I am guessing you have ‘tennis elbow’ from milking? I had this from hand weeding and kept trying to push through which was a disaster. I finally had to stop altogether. A special strap on the elbow may help but go electric with the milking as soon as you can (if you can) cause there’s no quick fix for this this that I know of and it’s agony when it gets really bad.

[@SageandStoneHomestead]

It's actually from weeding !! I milk year round by hand and the elbow is only bad during the garden season. I originally hurt it weeding the greenhouse last year by hand and its been an issue since. Fine when it isn't gardening season!!

[@sonjam7291]

@@SageandStoneHomestead I’ve never heard of anyone else with ‘weeding elbow’ but maybe it happens all the time…🤔 I converted to secateurs and a drop of herbicide on the cut in the end. I found your channel through the bee videos which are fun (first swarm last year for me). Keep filming (and cuddling baby goats) you are doing great.

[@SageandStoneHomestead]

Thank you so much Sonja!!💕

[@dancharles8950]

how do you know when to stop milking?

[@SageandStoneHomestead]

You mean per milking or when the goat is done for the season?

[@dancharles8950]

per milking and with or witghout kids on them some@@SageandStoneHomestead

[@dancharles8950]

both@@SageandStoneHomestead

[@SageandStoneHomestead]

We stop milking when the milk stops coming out at each milking. Even with kids on. they often hold back milk for their babies and are constantly making it. When it comes to quitting for the season a lot of producers will stop when the doe is 2 months away form delivering her next set of kids.

[@sheriwilson8443]

There's something called Bowen therapy. I know it will help your arm. At least check it out.

[@arnavanand5564]

How can be buy in india,what is the price

[@SageandStoneHomestead]

I'm not sure if they ship to India but they might. It was $200 USD. Try looking up "udderly EZ milker" in your internet browser.

[@powerpoint2661]

Could you try milking en using leather gloves?i think It should be comfy

[@SageandStoneHomestead]

No, gloves would be annoying I think

[@robynstanton2570]

I run a rope under my girls belly but I have sides on either side of my stand.

[@SageandStoneHomestead]

One issue I had with doing that is it can really change the angle of the teats and make it hard to milk!

[@ra3975]

Didn't work on my Nubian or Nigerians. Waste of money in my opinion

[@SageandStoneHomestead]

Something with pulse suction is much better.