Milking of small cattle is an energy-intensive process, quite inconvenient and nervous for both sides. Animals, especially young ones, kick in a cramped stall and often pour a bowl of milk. A goat milking machine is the simplest and most optimal solution for easy milking. Such a device immobilizes the animal during this process, which greatly facilitates the work of the farmer. The machine is bought ready-made or made independently. Today, farmers and even large livestock farms choose this option, since on this device goats can be milked either manually or using a special milking machine.
Why do I need a machine for milking goats on the farm?
If the household has less than 3 heads of goats, then you can handle, so to speak, the old fashioned way. For farmers with a large livestock, a machine tool is simply an irreplaceable thing.
In addition to the main function on this device, you can cut the hair around the udder of the animal, wash it, trim the hooves and carry out all the necessary hygiene procedures.
This simple and fairly simple device is not difficult to do on your own, and the time and finances spent on its manufacture will more than pay off in a few months.
Benefits of Using an Animal Milking Machine
The machine for milking goats eliminates the significant inconvenience that occurs when milking animals, and provides clean milk without any impurities and bacteria.
With this device, you can solve many problems to facilitate labor:
- an immobilized animal will not be able to interfere with the milking process, turn out a bowl of milk;
- provides a comfortable posture of a person with manual milking, and he is less tired;
- with an automated procedure, a machine for milking goats allows you to freely connect the milking machine;
- you can calmly wash the udder of the animal, shave the hair around it and perform other procedures without injuring or disturbing the goat.
However, it is worth considering the fact that young goats in the period before they are not used to milking, it is very difficult to make them stand still. In addition, the first time they will have to wind up in the machine by force. But over time, the animals will get used to it and will calmly go into it themselves.
Design features
The main purpose of the machine is to clamp the animal's neck so that it cannot try to escape. The device places the goat at a height that is convenient for the miller. If there are many animals on the farm, the worker may be tired in an uncomfortable position. Before the adaptation, a trough with food is installed so that the goat can be attracted and reassured. Since these animals lend themselves well to training, the habituation process does not take much time.
Component devices
There are many different options for milking machines, but in each of them there are:
- The platform, which is installed on four or six supporting legs, is a platform to prevent injury to the animal: it must be smooth and non-slip. The most optimal length is 1.2 m.
- The mechanism for clamping the head of a goat. It is mounted on the front of the machine on two supports.
- A small step for the animal to enter the flooring.
- A feeder mounted in front of the machine, below the locking clip. It serves to distract the goat from the milking process.
- Sometimes a kind of lattice or net is installed, which does not allow the animal to move the back of the body in different directions.
The machine for milking goats (photos are attached to the article) must be installed away from other animals in a quiet place. It should be kept clean, manure removed, and periodically washed.
How to make a machine for milking goats?
Skillful farmers very often make such a machine on their own, it is not as difficult as it might seem at first glance. The main thing is to acquire all the necessary materials and master the simple assembly technology. The hardest part is to design a mechanism that holds the goat’s head.
For the manufacture of the construction, a beam of 50x50 size, an inch board, fixing materials (self-tapping screws and a screwdriver) will be needed.
Assembly of the base of the structure
Consider the features of the assembly and the size of the machine for milking goats.
For the base of the machine it is necessary to prepare:
- Four legs measuring 5x10x10 cm.
- Two sidewalls measuring 2.5 x 10 x 120 cm.
- Two ends, the size of which is 2.5 x 10 x 50 cm.
- Two bars 5x5x50 cm.
- Three boards for the platform: 2.5x18x120 cm or OSB-plate (it is more convenient and easier to mount).
Assembly sequence:
- To assemble the base, first we attach 2 legs to the end so that it passes through the top of the legs, flush with the upper ends.
- We do the same with the second side.
- We attach the resulting part to the sidewall. We install and fix two bars at a distance of 40 cm from the left and right edges.
- Check the corners at the base. They should be even and straight (90 °). Adjustable if necessary.
- We fix to the resulting design of the flooring board. Its height and width can be made any, depending on the desire to make steps or a ladder.
- We process and round off all sharp edges to prevent the goats from getting injured.
Rack and Clamp Assembly
For the manufacture of the rack and mechanism for clamping the head of the animal during milking, the following details will be needed:
- Two racks measuring 2.5 x 10 x 50 cm.
- Four bars 2.5x10x10 cm.
- Two slats 2.5 x 10 x 120 cm.
At the counter we cut the corner. To do this, measure from one top corner to the left 5 cm and down 10 cm and then draw a line. Saw off the excess jigsaw. Across the racks we fasten the bars: one at the top, the other 10 cm lower. We retreat from the bottom edge of half a meter and mount a hole for the head of the animal. One rail should be fixed motionless. We install the second one at a small distance and fix it from below with a bolt, then we drill holes in three parts.
We make the mount for the feeder and directly the feeder itself. Most often this is not a very large box.
At the final stage of assembly of the device:
- We connect the base and the rack so that the bottom rests on the platform.
- We fix corner brackets.
- Determined with the design of the locking mechanism.
The availability of materials and some knowledge of the assembly sequence of the structure will allow you to quickly build the device. How to make a machine for milking goats, we have already considered. It will take about 2-3 hours to make it.
The design can be mounted against the wall and fixed. It is very convenient to make it folding and portable so that you can milk a goat on the street in the warm season. It is important to remember the safety of animals, so all edges and corners of the structure must be made rounded. Do not forget that at first the goats will kick until they get used to the procedure. From the third or fourth time, as a rule, problems no longer arise.
The machine for manual milking of goats can be made of any size, the main thing is that it is convenient to use. On this design, you can milk the animal on both sides or use a milking machine.
Construction operation
Check the machine for convenience and safety. After the manufacture of the holding mechanism, it is necessary to observe whether the animal will stick its head out from there on its own. If protrudes, the problem is the distance between the rails. This can be easily fixed by making the angle smaller.
The head behind the neck and horns must be fixed with a rope until the animal gets used to it.
It is advisable to make steps to the platform. But if the height of the platform is small, then the goat can jump on its own. Without steps, the device is more mobile: it can be very easily transferred to the street or rearranged in the barn.
The machine must be kept clean. Then he will be able to serve for a very long time and greatly facilitate your work and give free time to other things.