Michigan Thread - all are welcome!

[misfitmorgan]

I have every intention on continuing on with my bee hive. we're getting a second in the spring........


I picked up a de level cream separator Friday. Looks like all the parts are there, just needs a good cleaning up, new gaskets and an o ring. And I think they have it mounted backward, you can't spin the handle! lol, The label says its a junior, but the Jr didn't have the same set up... so it looks like it's a mix of the standard and Jr. Can't beat it for 75$ DH was upset that I spent "that" much money....(not like he knows how much they really go for)... but I think he liked taking it apart and cleaning it up. He thinks I should get it sand blasted and painted. I probably will because it is pretty rusty, no paint left on it so It's not like I'd be destroying it's value... just preserving it, and making it easier to keep clean.. Now I just hope it will work with goat milk. Can't find much on the subject. If not, I guess I'll be selling it .. or getting a cow! lol~

Goats milk is naturally homogenized but if left to sit on its own in a large shallow pan the cream will rise to the top like cows milk but way less cream lol. The Seperator you have should work on goats milk, there is actually more butterfat in some goat breeds milk then in cow milk. Whats the purpose for wanting to seperate the milk?

 

[SillyChicken]

yes.. I want to avoid wasting the milk since it seemed to take a few days to separate on it's own. If I can pull off the cream as we get it, we can drink the milk and make our butter, etc sooner, raw as is, is too rich tasting compared to what we're used too. That may change over time, but for now I want to skim the milk... and have more butter at our disposal (it was wonderful) lol! I also have someone who wants to buy some of the goat milk, so it would be nice if I could skim the cream for her too if she wants it that way.


Thanks for letting me know it will work...

 

[1muttsfan]

Silly, you definitely need a cow. Definately.

Hi Gmab, welcome to BYC and the Michigan thread. I know that Guineas do better with companions - you can find out more and ask questions here

https://www.backyardchickens.com/f/45/guinea-fowl

 

[birdman55]

hey good day today...it snowed a bit here but mostly didnt stick to the ground..i got the doors cut in and the walls finished with wire...so good days work i guess...seems to be going up slow

 

[RTFchickens]

yes..    I want to avoid wasting the milk since it seemed to take a few days to separate on it's own.  If I can pull off the cream as we get it, we can drink the milk and make our butter, etc sooner,  raw as is,  is too rich tasting compared to what we're used too.      That may change over time, but for now I want to skim the milk... and have more butter at our disposal (it was wonderful)  lol!  I also have someone who wants to buy some of the goat milk, so it would be nice if I could skim the cream for her too if she wants it that way.


Thanks for  letting me know it will work...  

Silly,
What kind of goats do you have?

 

[birdman55]

goodnight everyone...got about an inch of snow..stay tuned tommarow for the progress...later

 

[fuzzybutt love]

I like the thing.

 

[aart]

yes.. I want to avoid wasting the milk since it seemed to take a few days to separate on it's own. If I can pull off the cream as we get it, we can drink the milk and make our butter, etc sooner, raw as is, is too rich tasting compared to what we're used too. That may change over time, but for now I want to skim the milk... and have more butter at our disposal (it was wonderful) lol! I also have someone who wants to buy some of the goat milk, so it would be nice if I could skim the cream for her too if she wants it that way.


Thanks for letting me know it will work...

SillyChicken...have you checked out the goat forum on homesteadingtoday.com? Lots of good info there.

 

[Stacykins]

yes.. I want to avoid wasting the milk since it seemed to take a few days to separate on it's own. If I can pull off the cream as we get it, we can drink the milk and make our butter, etc sooner, raw as is, is too rich tasting compared to what we're used too. That may change over time, but for now I want to skim the milk... and have more butter at our disposal (it was wonderful) lol! I also have someone who wants to buy some of the goat milk, so it would be nice if I could skim the cream for her too if she wants it that way.


Thanks for letting me know it will work...

Awesome find!

You know, I don't know why my girls are suddenly putting out even richer milk than before, but it is almost undrinkable it is so rich! Like pouring a cup of heavy whipping cream and taking a sip. To give you an idea, a 1/2 gallon of milk used to make about 8 ounces of cheese. My father made cheese from a 1/2 gallon the other day, and got 20 ounces of cheese?!!?! I didn't believe him at first!

They're eating the same thing as before

 

[taprock]

Cream, growing up breakfast was alphabits cereal with straight cream on it. Nothing like it!

Guineas will do ok alone but they love to chase each other so yours may take to chasing other birds, especially if it's male. Last winter I had two, thanks to the coyote. They needed more. This year I have 3 males and 9 females and they are doing great. Not picking on chickens and getting along.

I have been amazed by the ducks. First winter with them and they'll go out in anything. They wade snow and I find tracks all over where no chicken had dared to go. Are ducks smart enough to go in when needed? They have a "duck box" in the bottom of the coop where they sleep.

Well I have to shovel this morning, very wet snow that I'm not looking forward to.