My goat had twins in April, and once they were weaned, I began milking her. Over three litres of white, creamy Poitevine milk every day, obtained in two sessions. It’s a lovely feeling, kneeling beside a goat with your head against her side, listening to her tummy rumbling as the milk squirts into the bucket.
She was a bit impatient with me to start with, and as soon as she had finished her food, she would walk off, whether I’d finished milking or not. That’s not good, because you have to get all the milk out, or next time there won’t be so much. Occasionally she put her foot in the bucket, which made all that session’s milk fit only for the drain. John helped me by holding on to her until I’d finished milking, and observed that he would never be able to be a substitute milker as his hamstrings would prevent him from squatting for any length of time.
Anyway, to cut a long story short, I decided to buy a small milking machine, one that is designed for just two goats. It’s a magic machine! Bright red paintwork, stainless steel churn, and all work on a vacuum principle. The milk is extracted in less than four minutes – no aching wrists or cricks in the back, and a very happy goat. The only downside is that the machine has to be scrupulously cleaned with an acid product in the mornings, and alkaline one at night, then rinsed thoroughly so the chemicals don’t taint the milk. All of this is a pleasure on warm summer mornings, I might find it more of a chore on a cold December day.
I paid just over a thousand euros for this new machine which is made by a company called Sezar. It was delivered ready to use and with full instructions for maintenance. It runs on 220v electricity and will milk two goats simultaneously. (There is also a model for cows, with four 'cones' to attach to the udder.)
What do I do with all this milk? No problem! I make yoghurt, soft cheese, hard cheese and keffir. We have it on cereal each morning, and I make rice pudding. The cats love it and so does the dog. Any left, I freeze ready for the winter when the milk yield will be lower.
In spite of what you read, goats’ milk does not taste any different from cows’ milk and is considered to be much better for you. My only concern was that it is full fat; and as we are both permanently watching our weight, I have always bought skimmed milk for our use. After a month of living on goats’ milk, there has been no change in our weight, thank heaven. I have known several mothers who choose to give their young children goats' milk as opposed to cows', because of the claims that it is good for skin allergies and asthma.
Lois Tuffield - Freelance writer living and writing in rural France; main interest in animals (particularly goats and cats) and vegetarian cookery.
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