goatgurl
Herd Master
just found this thread and dang girl you are getting there. congratulations on all the progress. can't wait to see it all complete and up and running. with all your hard work and tenacity you got this conquered.
Jumping the Moon Dairy - the next chapter
- Thread starter babsbag
- Start date
- Thread starter
- #62
babsbag
Herd Master
The processing trailer is almost done, need to have DH wire in the fan and I need to finish some plumbing but I am going to ask the state dairy inspector to come and look at it right before Thanksgiving. She can't sign it off or make it official until it is moved to its final spot and has hot water and the drains are all connected but she can tell me if I have missed anything obvious. There is still some siding on the storage room to finish and the floor in there, but that is of no concern to the inspector.
So with that basically out of the way we are working on the trailer that will house the milking parlor and the milk room. The floor will be done tomorrow and the walls will be started. The goal is to get it watertight in the next few weeks and then get it moved out of the barn so I can finish the barn, move the goats, and then tear down the old housing and move the trailers. I feel like it is a well orchestrated dance, at least I hope it is "well", not always sure about that.
All of the goats but 5 have been bred. Three of those are yearlings and while they are on my list to breed I may not, they are pretty small. Last years kids did not grow well, pretty sure it is the result of a selenium deficiency. I have 6 kids from last year that I know for certain that I am not breeding this year but if I breed all th rest I have 28 does freshening in Feb-March. OMG, what have I done?
On Nov. 7 the dairy club I belong to is having a Goat Education Day and I am going to have a booth selling my soaps and lotions AND a banner announcing the dairy. I haven't told many people, too many nay sayers so this will be a surprise to most...it should be an interesting day. I have always just had the mindset to not invite people into my garden if they are going to stomp on my flowers so the dairy has been kept near and dear to my heart for the last year or so. I am really excited to let the "goat out of the barn", there will be some really shocked people. Since I don't participate in shows some people think that I am a second class goat owner but now I get to have my girls do what they were bred to do and they never had to step foot in the show ring to do it. Please don't think that I don't appreciate a good goat and admire those that show; it is a huge commitment and there are some beautiful animals, but in my circle of "friends" there are some that have the attitude that only show goats are worth having, the rest are useless. Is it ok if I feel a little vindicated?
I have other real friends that know about the dairy and support me, I don't want you thinking that everyone in the group are "show snobs", if they were I wouldn't belong; all in all it is a good group.
So with that basically out of the way we are working on the trailer that will house the milking parlor and the milk room. The floor will be done tomorrow and the walls will be started. The goal is to get it watertight in the next few weeks and then get it moved out of the barn so I can finish the barn, move the goats, and then tear down the old housing and move the trailers. I feel like it is a well orchestrated dance, at least I hope it is "well", not always sure about that.
All of the goats but 5 have been bred. Three of those are yearlings and while they are on my list to breed I may not, they are pretty small. Last years kids did not grow well, pretty sure it is the result of a selenium deficiency. I have 6 kids from last year that I know for certain that I am not breeding this year but if I breed all th rest I have 28 does freshening in Feb-March. OMG, what have I done?
On Nov. 7 the dairy club I belong to is having a Goat Education Day and I am going to have a booth selling my soaps and lotions AND a banner announcing the dairy. I haven't told many people, too many nay sayers so this will be a surprise to most...it should be an interesting day. I have always just had the mindset to not invite people into my garden if they are going to stomp on my flowers so the dairy has been kept near and dear to my heart for the last year or so. I am really excited to let the "goat out of the barn", there will be some really shocked people. Since I don't participate in shows some people think that I am a second class goat owner but now I get to have my girls do what they were bred to do and they never had to step foot in the show ring to do it. Please don't think that I don't appreciate a good goat and admire those that show; it is a huge commitment and there are some beautiful animals, but in my circle of "friends" there are some that have the attitude that only show goats are worth having, the rest are useless. Is it ok if I feel a little vindicated?
I have other real friends that know about the dairy and support me, I don't want you thinking that everyone in the group are "show snobs", if they were I wouldn't belong; all in all it is a good group.
Baymule
Herd Master
I just read your thread. Your husband is very supportive and a great guy to back you on this. It is your dream, not his, but he is with you all the way. Give him a great big hug. You said he wants to travel when he retires, I have a suggestion. Will you have an "off" season where you aren't milking? If so, plan to travel during that time so you both can have your dream.
I love all the building, the trailers are brilliant. All your hard work is coming together and looking fantastic. Get a big wide ribbon, assemble your friends that have helped get you here, BBQ, and a GRAND OPENING ribbon cutting ceremony. Take lots of pictures and post them!
I love all the building, the trailers are brilliant. All your hard work is coming together and looking fantastic. Get a big wide ribbon, assemble your friends that have helped get you here, BBQ, and a GRAND OPENING ribbon cutting ceremony. Take lots of pictures and post them!
Mini Horses
Herd Master
Love the update! You are moving right along.
IMO there is no need to "explain" your goats to anyone....not every animal is a show winner but, that does NOT mean they don't have a job that they do exceptionally well. It is true within all breeds and disciplines -- horses, dogs, even chickens.
You breed for what you need & some genetics don't always present their best face. In your case the udder & production are important, not the slant of the ear or shape of the nose
Raised mini horses for years, mini donks & Boer goats. Talk about some "show ring" issues ?
Managed to do very, very well and haven't regretted any that were not in the ring. Yes, I have had many show winners, also -- loved no more than others.
You go girl!
IMO there is no need to "explain" your goats to anyone....not every animal is a show winner but, that does NOT mean they don't have a job that they do exceptionally well. It is true within all breeds and disciplines -- horses, dogs, even chickens.
You breed for what you need & some genetics don't always present their best face. In your case the udder & production are important, not the slant of the ear or shape of the nose
Raised mini horses for years, mini donks & Boer goats. Talk about some "show ring" issues ?
Managed to do very, very well and haven't regretted any that were not in the ring. Yes, I have had many show winners, also -- loved no more than others.You go girl!
Southern by choice
Herd Master
frustratedearthmother
Herd Master
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I second that!
Lots of support coming from here - for sure!
Lots of support coming from here - for sure!
OneFineAcre
Herd Master
Can't wait until it is finished
Riverside Fainters
Overrun with beasties
Awesome job. Don't let anyone crush your dreams. The negative people are not ones you need in your life... lol. I love the step by step pictures and process, your doing a great job, hopefully you can be up and running soon!
- Thread starter
- #69
babsbag
Herd Master
The Goat Ed Day and the dairy unveiling went well; a lot of questions, which is good. Many many people think that this takes $$$$$$$$ and I only have $$ so I am living proof that this can be done.
The inspector is coming out of Thursday to look at the processing trailer so hope she likes what she sees. I have time to make changes if I need to but praying that all is well as it. This isn't an official "yeah" or "nay", just a friendly inspection.
DH is off this week so hopefully the milking barn trailer will get walls up and maybe even a roof. March will be here soon.
The inspector is coming out of Thursday to look at the processing trailer so hope she likes what she sees. I have time to make changes if I need to but praying that all is well as it. This isn't an official "yeah" or "nay", just a friendly inspection.
DH is off this week so hopefully the milking barn trailer will get walls up and maybe even a roof. March will be here soon.
- Thread starter
- #70
babsbag
Herd Master
The inspector came out today and she had nothing bad to say about the processing room. 
It isn't in its final resting spot yet so plumbing is not connected but all of the inside is done; floors,wall covering, drains, sinks, fans, faucets, window screens (pollen and dust proof),and equipment is in place and she liked it. The attached storage room still needs to be done but that is a walk in the park compared to the other stuff. I can put this trailer to rest and focus on the milk barn and milk room. One down and one to go.
Saturday I am going to OR to see a dairy that milks the same way I attend to do, with buckets and not a pipeline. They have the buckets in the milk house and have pass through trap doors in the wall between the milk house and the barn so the inflations can be in the barn and the cans stay in the milk house. This will save me some money in buying equipment, ease in building the trailer, and less cleanup. I was going to have to milk into cans in the barn, carry them to a little transfer room and dump the milk into buckets that have never been in the barn and then pour those into the bulk tank. Twice the cans and twice the work. I like this idea better and the inspector is ok with it too.
It isn't in its final resting spot yet so plumbing is not connected but all of the inside is done; floors,wall covering, drains, sinks, fans, faucets, window screens (pollen and dust proof),and equipment is in place and she liked it. The attached storage room still needs to be done but that is a walk in the park compared to the other stuff. I can put this trailer to rest and focus on the milk barn and milk room. One down and one to go.Saturday I am going to OR to see a dairy that milks the same way I attend to do, with buckets and not a pipeline. They have the buckets in the milk house and have pass through trap doors in the wall between the milk house and the barn so the inflations can be in the barn and the cans stay in the milk house. This will save me some money in buying equipment, ease in building the trailer, and less cleanup. I was going to have to milk into cans in the barn, carry them to a little transfer room and dump the milk into buckets that have never been in the barn and then pour those into the bulk tank. Twice the cans and twice the work. I like this idea better and the inspector is ok with it too.
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