Onyx and Pretzel

Since I weaned Lemuel, I thought I’d try milking Onyx.

Onyx and her mom, Victoria

On just her fourth time of going in, she stood perfectly for me.  Now I just need her to learn to come up at milking time.

standing perfectly

She was obviously already cutting down feeding her boy because she doesn’t have a lot of milk, but this is more about training for next year than it is about me actually getting the milk.

So what did I do with a cup of milk after I was already done milking everyone else.  Well, Pretzel got it.

Pretzel

She was not happy with the idea of not getting her bottle, and she was so certain that I was trying to starve her that I couldn’t even get her attention to show her that I had a bottle for her.

She did finally notice and drained the bottle.  Then she went for the sweet feed.

That girl.

Friday Leftovers

Well, one full week is in the books at school.  I assume I survived; although, this was prescheduled because the start of the year is always crazy.

Sky and Tiger

Mother goose and her baby

Hera and Chiffon–it’s a good thing I’m weaning kids. My moms need a break.

LilyAnn and Jasmine

Onyx

Pinta will hopefully be leaving this weekend.

The gosling likes it’s little pool.

Reva also needs a break from kids, and she will be retiring.

Sylvia. I have not had any luck (or time) getting her to tame down.

Zinnia’s kids are getting big. (Jack and Ivy)

Odie

I’m looking forward to a nice weekend.  Enjoy yours as well.

Weaning

Thursday morning, I moved my bucks back onto the front pasture.

Freddie and Xerxes

I decided Thursday afternoon to wean kids so I could start milking again after everyone got mixed back together.  I shut Perdita up north first.  When I went back out to catch Joy’s boys, she was already out.  I think she climbed the remains of the tarp hut and went over the fence.

Perdita and Astra in pasture

I put Joy’s boys up there but I never did get Perdita caught again because she was standing on top of the fallen walnut tree until dark.  I caught Swen and Olaf and shut them up there so I could at least milk Joy in the morning.

Swen and Olaf

The next morning, Joy’s boys were out.  Seriously?  I swear it has been harder to wean kids this year than ever before.

Greta and Gary, Joy with her boys Olaf and Swen, and Micah

Anyhow, I did actually get to Astra before Perdita had breakfast, so I got a pint out of her.

Astra

Then, after my coffee, I once again weaned the little stinker.  She’s lucky she’s so cute.

Then I decided to go with Ava’s kids.

Geo, Glory, and Gilbert

She’s had triplets on her and she could use the break.  It’s been a hard year on all of the moms with the poor pasture quality due to the drought.

Ava

I hauled all three of them up with Perdita and blocked the hole I think the other two boys escaped from.

Perdita looking for a new escape route

Tonight, I’ll try to get Joy’s boys again.

Joy

After my hands get used to all of them, I’ll think about adding Caroline to my milking.

Chunky and Caroline

Or maybe Cutie.

Cutie with Sylvia and Simone

Eventually I’ll be milking all of them (hopefully in just a few days.)  In another month or so, I can start milking Zinnia.

Zinnia

Maybe I’ll see about training Onyx.

Onyx–love that perfect udder

Bring on the milk!  Time to make cheese!