Milk Maiden

Looks like a chicken wants to get in on the milking action.

G was gone for meetings for a few days so it was up to me to milk. Both of our goats in milk have kids drinking so I wouldn't have to do it, but we want to build their supply up, which makes it important to consistently milk. 

So I got up early and went out to milk before Jaron woke up. Svetlana hopped on the stand no problem, ready for her food. We were out of sweet feed, but she had no problem eating the substitute chicken feed. I didn't expect to get too much milk and my expectations were met. 

She tends to kick after the food is gone and kicked into the bucket a few times. Gross. Dirt in the milk. Unfortunate, but at least there wasn't that much milk. There was about an inch in the bottom of the pail. 

After I let Svetlana down, I was about to lure up Sage when I heard Jaron crying (our bedroom overlooks the pasture so I could hear him with the windows open).

He got to come with me for milking Sage.

She also didn't produce much. G got a bunch from her the other day, but that was before they left the shed in the morning. These guys had already been out and the kids had nursed. 

After milking, I checked our poultry and when I came out of the goat shed I saw this lovely scene:

From left to right: (front) Sage, Freya, Gerda, (back) Svetlana, Blackie, Cocoa, and Brigheta. Somehow over time Cocoa got lighter and Brigheta got darker. 🤷‍♀️ The plan right now is to keep Brigheta, sell Cocoa, and butcher Blackie. 

Back in the house, I filtered the milk and stuck it in the fridge with our other bottles. Now I need to find a few great milk recipes; no way G and I can drink all of this ourselves! The milk adds up quickly!