Whole milk mix for bottle pygmy going bad??

[de kippendame]

I have a gallon mixed up for our one 12 day old bottle pygmy. Whole milk, buttermilk and evaporated milk(as per recipe found on here/backyardherds). I mixed it up on Monday and its about half gone right now. My question is, how long does it stay(it is in the fridge)? Its looking like its wanting to turn into cheese. Especially when I warm it in the microwave. Does anyone know how long it should stay fresh? Is it time to make a new batch?? If it is going bad, I think I'll just have to mix up half batches! Thanks!

 

[Stacykins]

Only warm what you are going to use for a single feeding, then discard what isn't eaten. Just like you would for a human infant. Also, if you can, don't warm the milk directly in the microwave. Either zap some water to make it hot, then rest the bottle in until it comes up to temperature, or use the stovetop. It really doesn't take long on the stovetop. I know when I was bottle feeding, I'd come into the kitchen, fill a pan with water, and set it to heat (without the bottles), then fed and pottied my dogs. Once the dogs were food five minutes later, the water was quite warm. Only a couple minutes in the water, and the bottles of was at a proper feeding temperature, not too hot or cold.

Also, you can use strait up whole cows milk, it doesn't have to be a special mix. Goat kids thrive on whole cows milk if whole goats milk is not available. My bottle kids grew like weeds.

Buttermilk is a fermented dairy product, it has beneficial bacteria and is very acidic (more acidic than normal milk). It IS turning the remaining milk into cheese, the whey and solids are separating. The higher the acidity goes, the more caesin (milk protein) separates.

 

[de kippendame]

I figured the buttermilk was starting to do its job!

I'll have to stop being so lazy and zap some water instead of the milk! May take a little longer, but oh well! It looks fine cold from the fridge, its just when I warm it in the microwave that it gets cheesy looking. I do only warm what will be used in one feeding and whatever she doesn't drink goes to the chickens or the cats. I think I'll run to the store this evening and get some milk so I can make some fresh. I'd imagine it's probably getting a little bitter. It's not as sweet smelling as it was when I first made it. Thank you!