Wednesday, May 18, 2011

More Milk?

I weaned Purl's lambs almost a week ago. They're in the barn and she's in the pasture. Two days later I saw Purl's big milk-filled udder thought, "I can do something with that."


I haltered her and tied her to the gate to see if I could milk her. I expected her to be mad and not stand still at all. I expected her teats to be too small to milk comfortably. What I didn't expect was for her to stand like an angel (ok, well almost like an angel) and for her to be fairly easy to milk. I got a quart in just a few minutes.


Then a day or two later I thought to myself, "Self, I wonder if I can get Purl to fit on June's milk stand?" So I lured Purl into the barn with some grain (since she is pretty smart and knew I wanted to catch her again) and haltered her and managed to get her up on the milk stand. Luckily she's recently shorn so her neck fit through the headstall.





She munched on grain while I milked her again, and she did really well on the stand! Then I rewarded her with apples and carrots. She LOVES all kinds of treats.





I milked her again yesterday and snapped these few pictures. I was trying to be quick so I could finish before she ran out of grain. She's definitely ready to get down when the grain is gone! I'm not sure how long I'll milk her, but I would love to make some yogurt with her milk. I've heard it's very good!

5 comments:

Unknown said...

Very Cool -- being a nursing mom myself ;) I bet she was WAITING for you to milk her again for the relief!!!

Susan said...

Fabulous! What a good ewe. Perhaps some cheesemkaing in your future?

Becky said...

That Purl is some amazing ewe. I'm so glad she stood again for you and got up on the stand. That'll make it a lot easier for you. What's that type of cheese made specifically from sheep's milk? You'll have to let us know how it tastes.

Deb Johnson, Quiltbeeme said...

Isn't she something?? Gotta love that Purl!! Wonder if June is jealous that Purl's getting attention now too? :-) Great way to think of alternatives to everyday things! I love how resourceful you are! Momma

Jen said...

Very cool. Hope ya get to make the yogurt :)

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