Milking a Dexter

[Deleted]

 Sure all the basics off milking are the same. Main Question is the height
of a Dexter. Have been milking our 2 Mini Nubian does. At Nancy and my
age (never dreamed our age would be issue) we are going to need
to raise things up. The goat world has lots of milk sanction ideas but
anyone know of any built for size of Dexters?
  

[Deleted]

yes I milk everyday and a good raised stanchion is a must. Here is a re post of a stanchion I built and still use. There is also one on there that some one built that was similar. If you look on page 2 you will see that I went back later and built a metal head gate for it.
dextercattle.proboards.com/thread/2914/milking-stanchion-designs

[Deleted]

We have head hold from our old barn I want to
use. Why not metal and powder coat or emron for
cleaning and sanitation and add rubber stall
mat for footing? I know cost is facter but I
like to redo latter. Even thought we could add
raised sliding floor for mini goats and use the
same milking stand just slide floor in and out
from side or flip in some manner.

[Deleted]

you could use metal. I use wood because I mill lumber. That stanchion is mulberry it will never rot. It will out last me. 
Things to keep in mind is the space between parts. You dont want a leg or head getting caught.

[Deleted]

I am acually a custom cabinet shop owner and the wood is easy. Also
Have shop at home and restore and work on our cars and equipment.
Nancy and I hope we have at least 15 - 20 years before we are in
diapers agian and want to it right. We also have a family owned
creamery and dairy within 15 miles that uses milk products for
artisian goods.God willing if there is extra we could have a
small income there.

[lonecowhand]

Hi Mike, I see your cows must have a "reverse" gear. Do they figure out how to back down the ramp pretty quick?

[Deleted]

nope no back up although some do train them to do that. they are more comfortable with going forward. If you look that front head gate opens up. Look down on page 2 and you will see the metal head gate that I welded up. It also has a latch and swings open for them to walk out. I do have to make sure I close the rear gate before I let them out. More than once I have had them walk out the front and go around to the back and walk right back in.

[Deleted]

Sept 10, 2014 14:50:01 GMT @dexterfarm said:

yes I milk everyday and a good raised stanchion is a must. Here is a re post of a stanchion I built and still use. There is also one on there that some one built that was similar. If you look on page 2 you will see that I went back later and built a metal head gate for it.
dextercattle.proboards.com/thread/2914/milking-stanchion-designs

 Hope you don't mind a list of questions. Im usually one that starts a project and work by the seat

of my pants until I set back and look. Then I take my wifes advice and read instructions.

 Wood would be easier but I dont have mulberry. Any problems with cleanliness ?

 Side spacing I see would be critical 6" , 10' lower at bottom good thought.

 Except for goats I have always milked  in old style parlors and our new barn is complete

concrete 3' high with 1' x 6" wash down each side flowing to outside pit, 3' x 3' wing up

door in each 12' x 16' stall and exhaust fan each end. I am removing 3 pen walls for my

shop area because with 2 3 1/2 acre of pasture and don't need to confine only shelter

I will use 4 pens for stock and 5th enclosed as our process room.

 Thought I might even build block tapered walls with concrete floor to  raise them?

 Raise 24" x 30" wide x 84" long with 4' long ramp front and back ?

 In separate area to lessen distractions ( calves , kids ect,)

 We do have small town dairy close by that uses goat milk and like for specialty products

and they buy small quantities. Talked to them and they are interested  in the Dexter

milk so want to plan ahead.

 Do you use a milker ? And what type ? Seems there is as many opinions on milkers as there

is  about Dexters. Sorry. I have arthritis as with most people in hands on work do at some

point with 2 to 3 cows and 4 to 5 goats seems we should do something.

 Lucy our Dexter with the calf  now has never even been in a head gate so this could be

a experience. At what age do you start working with your cows for milking?

[Deleted]

I dont wash it. water just makes for more bacteria. If they poop in the stanchion I just shovel it off and let it dry.
Do I understand right that you already have a setup for 3' high concrete platform?
You mention 24" high platform with a 4 foot ramp. If the platform is that tall the ramp will have to be longer. That will be to steep for them.
If you are planing on selling the milk. You will need to know what regulations there maybe for your setup. but with just a few dexters. I dont think you will have enough milk to be worth selling.
Yes a milker is a must. I have an old delaval bucket milker. Any bucket milker is probably good. Dont mess around with the old serge belly milkers that were converted with long hoses. They do work just not worth the hassle of messing with and cleaning all of the hoses they use when they convert them.
I start working with them at around a year old. I run them in the stanchion from time to time for a treat. I dont start locking there heads in until it is some where they have learned they like to go. I also turn on the pump motor some times so they get use to the noise. By the time they are old enough to calve they are happy to go in the stanchion. I have also trained older ones but that depends on the cow. If you have the animals when they are young definitely worth the effort to get them started.

[Deleted]

Dexterfarm, our new place has a hog finishing barn with3' high concrete walls.
Reviewed your pictures and first comment would be that's a strange looking dexter
in the sanction. Second comment would be you must live south milking in a open
barn.
I like your concept well. Your right about ramps after I thought about it.
After this week working on fencing and barn and moving next 2 weeks I will have
time to focus on this.
Will have to start milking goats but Lucy will have to wait. I could milk her
from floor for a wile.

[Deleted]

I had jerseys before I had dexters.
I live in Iowa. I stop milking when it gets to cold. Sometime in December.