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Machine Milking Nigerian Dwarf Goats

Milking Tinkerbell

Tinker Bell Being Milked

The first time I saw a Nigerian Dwarf goat being milked using a machine, I was shocked.  We were just beginning to investigate them as a possible breed for Bramblestone Farm, and I’d assumed that they were too small for a milking machine.  But, lots of folks use a machine to milk Nigerian Dwarfs; it can be faster, easier, and more convenient than milking by hand.

As it turns out, it takes longer to write out the steps describing how to milk using a machine than it does to actually do it.  It’s an easy process that takes [...]

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Kidding Lessons Learned: Kid Rejection

Dillinger Left

This was our first kidding season, so I tried to read and prepare for all possibilities when it came time for the Nigerian Dwarf does to freshen; but we learned so many things actually going through it (that just don’t seem to be covered in books).  One thing that really shocked us, was that Jewel Box rejected one of her triplets (Dillinger) when he was five days old - totally surprising us.  He went downhill so fast after she rejected him that we nearly lost him, and ended up learning how to tube feed a kid to keep him going (see Tube Feeding A Goat Kid).      

It was actually our [...]

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Memorial Day Weekend

Feeding Time

Memorial Day weekend corresponds with our wedding anniversary; so we’re usually off somewhere celebrating.  In the past, we’ve traveled exotic places, seen spectacular scenery, and attended great events.  But this year we decided to stay put; and since we rarely enjoy a Memorial Day weekend at home, some photographs seemed appropriate.

The cats, Sugar and Spice, are the ones I miss first when we travel, but I also worry about them least – they’re pretty self-sufficient.  They’re sisters from the same litter, although you’d never know it by looking at them. 

 

 

One reason for staying put this year was to get some ongoing projects done.  One of these was installing an automatic chicken-coop opener.  With it installed, the chicken coop hatch automatically opens when the sun [...]

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