Post by hazelsmilker on Dec 24, 2005 0:59:24 GMT -5
Hello all,
We've had an interesting 3 plus weeks since Louis the II arrived. Hazel
and I are both finally settling down to the new routine. My Surge milker has
been persuaded to work. I'm getting about 3.5 gallons in the morning
milking using the milker, and then 2 gallons in the evening milking
by hand. I'm not separating Hazel and Louis other than tethering
him while I milk so that he doesn't step in things. He's looking great,
despite the dehorning and castration that happened earlier this week.
He was probably about 80 pounds at birth; I don't think he's quite doubled
his weight yet, but he might have. We picked up 3 little weaners about
10 days ago. They aren't so little any more; they get rolled barley, the
evening milking poured straight into their dish, and lots of skim milk from
the house. They like to peer through a crack in the fence and watch
the evening milking. Their names are Rose, Jasmine, and Honeysuckle.
Fragant flowers all.
Now, I feel like I'm complaining about an embarrassment of riches, but
I didn't expect this much milk! Hazel's not holding the cream up for the
calf either; she's sharing it generously with me as well. I now have
7 quarts waiting to make butter, and 5 gallons of milk waiting in the
spare frig. I just don't have time to make cheese now! I have about
20 pounds of butter in the freezer already. If only we had room for
6 pigs! We don't have room for an extra calf either.
There are a few problems; Hazel's bag is so low that I can't hang the
Surge pail from her. I have to set it on the ground. It must weigh
over 50 pounds with 3.5 gallons in it. Quite a load to haul from the
barn to the house (which is on a slight hill). The milk tends to slop
while I carry it. Gets a bit messy. I am setting up the strainer
on a low stool, because it's so hard to lift the full pail to shoulder
level. Does anyone else have these issues? It takes quite a bit
longer to set up and clean the Surge than my
hand milking pail, though it keeps the milk cleaner and the milking
itself is quicker. (Easier on my hands as well.)
Happy holidays to all,
Mina
We've had an interesting 3 plus weeks since Louis the II arrived. Hazel
and I are both finally settling down to the new routine. My Surge milker has
been persuaded to work. I'm getting about 3.5 gallons in the morning
milking using the milker, and then 2 gallons in the evening milking
by hand. I'm not separating Hazel and Louis other than tethering
him while I milk so that he doesn't step in things. He's looking great,
despite the dehorning and castration that happened earlier this week.
He was probably about 80 pounds at birth; I don't think he's quite doubled
his weight yet, but he might have. We picked up 3 little weaners about
10 days ago. They aren't so little any more; they get rolled barley, the
evening milking poured straight into their dish, and lots of skim milk from
the house. They like to peer through a crack in the fence and watch
the evening milking. Their names are Rose, Jasmine, and Honeysuckle.
Fragant flowers all.
Now, I feel like I'm complaining about an embarrassment of riches, but
I didn't expect this much milk! Hazel's not holding the cream up for the
calf either; she's sharing it generously with me as well. I now have
7 quarts waiting to make butter, and 5 gallons of milk waiting in the
spare frig. I just don't have time to make cheese now! I have about
20 pounds of butter in the freezer already. If only we had room for
6 pigs! We don't have room for an extra calf either.
There are a few problems; Hazel's bag is so low that I can't hang the
Surge pail from her. I have to set it on the ground. It must weigh
over 50 pounds with 3.5 gallons in it. Quite a load to haul from the
barn to the house (which is on a slight hill). The milk tends to slop
while I carry it. Gets a bit messy. I am setting up the strainer
on a low stool, because it's so hard to lift the full pail to shoulder
level. Does anyone else have these issues? It takes quite a bit
longer to set up and clean the Surge than my
hand milking pail, though it keeps the milk cleaner and the milking
itself is quicker. (Easier on my hands as well.)
Happy holidays to all,
Mina