So you’ve pulled the trigger and now you are the proud owner of a few dairy goats. What do you do now? Time to get down to the topic of goat milking equipment. For more general information regarding dairy goats, check out my page called “Beginner’s Guide to Raising Dairy Goats”.
And the fun begins!
When I purchased my first two dairy goats, I’d be lying if I said I was anything but nervous. I wanted to make sure that everything was perfect when in reality it was far from it.
I was terrified to do something wrong. I scoured the internet for videos and articles about how to milk a goat, and what I needed, and while helpful, nothing beats doing it for yourself for the first time. Trial and error I say!
When it comes to milking dairy goats, having the correct goat milking equipment can make or break your experience. It can turn “I want a dairy goat” into “our dairy goat is for sale” in a hurry!
While it might not work for everyone, here is the system that I use…and love! Here is a list of the essential equipment that you will need.
Please note that these are all my recommendations and supplies that I use. You may find that something else works better for you.
Goat Milking Equipment
Stainless Steel Buckets
This has to be one of the most important pieces of goat milking equipment. Milking into a plastic container can give the milk an off-taste. There is a reason that commercial dairies across the nation all milk into stainless steel. It is easy to clean and keep sanitary while keeping the milk tasting fresh.
Make sure that the milking pail you use is seamless. Pails with seams are a good way to trap milk and grow bacteria, ending up with a not-so-great result. I have also used glass before in a pinch, but prefer stainless steel for the lightweight feeling and durability.
I only use glass when I have created a bond with the goat and am confident that she will not kick. If you have miniature goats, you may want to opt for a shorter bucket to make sure it can fit under the udder with ample room for your hands to work. A bucket with a wide base is also a good idea in case you have a goat that is new to milking and kicks often.
Teat Wipes
When I started milking I would use a washcloth and some warm soapy water (Dr. Bronner’s soap works great), but I have come to love disposable wipes. Baby wipes work well, but I use the Milk Check Teat Wipes. These wipes come in a convenient bucket with a dispenser top. Simply pull out a wipe or two, and rip it from the bucket. When you use up the wipes in a bucket, you can either order another bucket or a refill pack. Each bucket comes with 700 wipes!
Dr. Bronner’s Soap (bucket and washcloth method)
Goat Milking Stand
A goat milking stand of one of the most important pieces of goat milking equipment available. While there are many companies that you can purchase a milking stand from, they are also very easy to build if you have a DIY spirit.
Feed Trough
The feed trough is connected to the milking stand, under the headgate. This is where you will pour the feed for the goat to eat while being milked. I choose to give my goats a standard goat sweet-textured feed. Sometimes I will pour the feed into the trough and put a handful of alfalfa on top. Not only is alfalfa great for milk production, but it buys you a little bit more time to milk while your goat rummages through it to get to the feed.
Teat Dip
When I first started milking my goats, I would use a mixture of 50/50 apple cider vinegar (my favorite was the Braggs brand) and water. I have read that you can use an iodine solution as well. My favorite “dip” now is the Fight Bac spray.
Glass Jars
In order to make sure your milk stays fresh as long as possible, it must be stored in glass. When I only had one young goat in milk, I was able to get away with using quart mason jars, but now that I have multiple in milk, I use half-gallon jars with a plastic lid.
Strip Cup (Optional)
While a strip cup is optional, you should always have something to strip the first few squirts of each teat into. I strip the goats into a small pet bowl and put it down for the barn cats after inspecting the milk for lumps, or blood. Some people will strip the first one or two squirts into their teat wipe after wiping down the teats.
Strainer
After milking, you need to strain the milk. There are strainers made specifically for straining milk that have disposable paper milk filters. To strain my milk, I use a plastic and mesh coffee filter on top of a stainless canning funnel.
Funnel
The funnel used to place the coffee filter into is a standard canning funnel. I chose to go with stainless steel for easier cleaning. Stainless is the ideal material to use in milking due to its ease of cleaning and resistance to corrosion.
Hobble or Dog Leash (Optional)
While these are optional, they are especially necessary if you have a jumpy goat on the stand. Hobbles work by restricting the movement in the back legs due to them being strapped together. Occasionally you may come across a goat that is strong enough to kick both feet. This is when it may be more beneficial to use a dog leash, and tie one foot back to a sturdy surface, holding the tied foot in mid-air about 6 to 8 inches above the milk stand. I use two lengths of ¼” rope, secured to an eye-bolt on one end, and a slip knot on the other.
Please remember, these are all my recommendations and supplies that I use. You may find that something else works better for you. It may take a few times to get comfortable, but these supplies are sure to help you get the job done!