Dimensions and drawings of machines for milking goats and how to make them yourself

Keeping livestock in general, and goats in particular, is accompanied by difficult, constant work - distributing feed several times a day, cleaning wool, and cleaning the premises from manure. One of the devices to facilitate farm labor is a machine for fixed milking of goats. At the time of milking, the animal is securely held by the head and neck fixation mechanism. If desired, the legs are secured using ropes or straps. The milk will be intact, and the housewife will not get tired.

Why is the machine needed?

Goats, especially young ones, often behave actively when milking: they step from foot to foot, beat with their hooves, and twirl. In this case, the bucket may tip over and valuable milk will be lost. The main thing for which the machine is needed is reliable fixation of dairy goats during the milking process. In addition, the machine helps solve a number of other problems:

• prevent sudden movements during hoof trimming, hair trimming, treatment and washing of animals;
• makes it possible to connect a milking machine when mechanizing work on the farm;
• helps reduce milkmaid labor costs and milking time.

Making a machine for milking goats is not difficult; there are different models and designs. You can use available materials and tools that are probably stored in any household.

Positive and negative sides

Experienced goat breeders may feel that the pen is an extra thing on the farm and that when using it for milking there are more negative aspects, for example, stress on the animal and wasting time on driving the goat inside the pen. However, for novice housewives, this really makes milking easier, especially when there is not just one goat on the farm, but several. In addition, it has been proven that when milking in a machine, when the animal is motionless, the udder is emptied more completely, there is no congestion and the development of diseases of the milk and reproductive spheres.

Basic requirements for equipment

The main element of the pen is the cage or stall. It is made to the size of a goat or slightly larger. Adjacent to the stall is a head restrainer equipped with a feeder into which the animal’s favorite food, such as barley, is poured. The clamp should securely hold the neck, preventing the cattle from quickly removing its head. The bottom of the stall - the flooring or stand - must be strong enough and have a ladder or ladder for lifting.

Review of popular models

Goat pens vary slightly. The device is simple, here are the modifications common in farmsteads:

1. The simplest wooden stand (pedestal) without a ladder and side retaining strips with fixing slats for the neck. This option is suitable for mature, calm goats. Otherwise, there is a danger that the animal will slip off the stand, and since the neck is fixed, strangulation may occur.
2. Wooden stand with cage, retaining neck rails and ladder. This is the most suitable option for novice housewives. If desired, you can additionally tie the goat by the legs.
3. Wooden stand with ladder and neck restraint in the form of doors with a shutter. Since goats do not like to move backwards and it is difficult for them to turn around in the pen, opening the doors allows the animal to come forward after milking.
4. Wooden stand with one-sided grid. One of the sides of the machine, usually the right, remains without a fence. The milkmaid can sit next to the goat, at the same level.
5. Metal frame welded structure with wooden stand.

In all models, you can use available materials - bars, cutting boards, planks, furniture doors, beds of iron beds.

Recommendations for selection

The size of the cage depends on the breed and size of the animal. On average, a meter long wooden stand and the height of the cage are enough. If the goats are very large, with a large head and horns, the length of the frame is increased to 1 meter 20 centimeters and the height of the cage is made the same.Sliding slats are sufficient as a locking mechanism. For small goats that do not have horns, a cage height of 1 meter and a device that holds the neck in the form of folding doors is preferable.

In this case, the hole for the neck and head is made oval, with a diameter of 10-11 centimeters in width and 39-40 centimeters in length.

The height of the stand above the ground for large goats is 20-30 centimeters, for small goats – 30-40 centimeters. The optimal cage width is 55 centimeters. Metal structures are the most durable and do not become loose.

How to make a milking machine with your own hands

In order to carefully consider the design of the machine, visualize it and, if necessary, make changes, it is recommended to first make a drawing or use the ready-made one offered below.

Stages of machine assembly:

1. Knock down the frame of the stall from bars or risers, as shown in the drawing. When assembling a frame from bars, you will need to cut out the ends to achieve the same level. When assembling a frame from slats, no additional cutting is required.
2. Knock the stand boards together using two or three cross planks or slats. Do the same with the ladder boards, only the crossbars on top will act as steps.
3. Attach the stand to the frame, the ladder to the stand.
4. Proceed with assembling the holding device and its locking mechanism; attach a container-feeder or a shelf for it.

Performance nuances

Depending on the model selected, there may be differences in the assembly regarding the following:

• the stand can be fastened by knocking it into the frame, on special support rails or by bolting to a metal frame;
• the holding mechanism can be part of the frame supported on the ground or it is attached directly to the stand;
• one of the rails of the holding mechanism can be movable in a vertical or horizontal plane;
• if the machine stand is located low above the ground, you don’t have to make a ladder;
• if the animal is very mobile, the ladder can be attached to a stand on hinges, and the pen can be closed by lifting the ladder and closing it with a latch;
• the edges of the stand can be left free or slats can be nailed to protect the legs from slipping with a gap of 4-5 centimeters between the “floor” and the bar;
• the hole for milking in the wall of the cage for right-handers is made from the right side of the goat, for left-handers - from the left;
• if you plan to use the machine outdoors, it can be painted with paint that is resistant to external influences, or treated with products with wood-protective properties, and the floor of the stand can be covered with flooring;
• It is better to make the feeding container removable so that it can be washed inside.

So, milking a goat will be much easier using a machine that is easy to make with your own hands. Treat animals kindly, they will definitely respond with mutual affection and high milk yield!