Tag: Berkshire Pigs

When it comes to Milking Goats

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Eve Producing Milk At Briden Farm

When it comes to Milking Goats, I really enjoy it! At least I do when the Doe is a willing participant! Our old Saanen Doe, Eve really enjoys being milked. Whereas Nanna, our Nigerian Dwarf Goat, has never been quite sure! We’ve had some over the years that just didn’t want to be touched!

I prefer milking by hand, while I know some others prefer machine. I am sort of thankful that I’ve never had over one or two goats to milk at the same time! I think if I had too many I might be tempted to turn to using a milking machine! Not sure though! 

Although I may find out, we currently have 4 Does, and they just had the visit of a Young Buck for a month and a half! So, come July, we potentially could have four freshen, that would mean probably having four goats to milk! It could also mean our having anywhere from 4 to 14 kids! Not likely to have over 5-8 kids though. 

I know I look forward to being back in milk though, we enjoy making cheese, yogurt, buttermilk and whey! The extra will go to our Berkshire Pigs, Larry, Curly, and Moe!

Curious, do you prefer milking by hand?
What’s Your experience with Milking Machines?  


Shop BridenFarmMarket.com

3L Electric Milking Machine for Goat or Cattle
3 Lt Electric Milking Machine for Goats

 

An Incredible Farm Grown Breakfast

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Farm Grown Breakfast

There’s nothing quite like having a breakfast, or other meal, that is grown or raised on the Farm! Not everything we eat here is grown or raised here, but we’re getting to a point that nearly every meal has something from here! We have our own milk, sometimes we make cheese, we have eggs, chicken, bacon, sausage, pork, fruits, berries, vegetables, and even some herbal teas! It’s so rewarding! Come visit us at Briden Farm, where the tea is always on and the Coffee is not far behind! Friends and Family Always Welcome! 

Our First Meal Grown On Briden Farm

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First Home Grown Meal

Tonight was special, we’ve owned this place for one year and two weeks, to the day. So, this spring we used goats and pigs to clear land for pasture and some of that pasture we turned into garden. Unfortunately we won’t be getting much of a crop as the soil is very nitrogen deficient. 

As a result, I don’t expect to have enough potatoes for Winter, and the green and even the yellow beans I interplanted with them are stunted. So, we figure we might as well enjoy them now. 

We also have turned our Berkshire Pigs into Pork at this point and that’s currently being processed at the butcher. Today we got the heart and liver. We also picked enough new potatoes, and green and yellow beans, to make a nice supper. We actually bought the onions for the liver and onions, but everything else was grown here. Our first meal grown on Briden Farm. The Liver was like sweet, juicy, and tender… Steak! 

Expanding Our Woodland Pastures

Hauling Cages For Fencing

Today we’re working to move nine loads of 9 old mink cages toward the back of our Pasture area. These cages will be used to make fencing for our Nigerian Dwarf Goats and Berkshire Tamworth Hogs. 

The kind of exciting thing about this is, up till now, we’ve been turning all the previous little rotational pastures, averaging around 1000-1500 sq ft each, into garden plots. This new area will be the first actual woodland area that may get turned into a forage and pasture feed area. 

It’s also getting me to Wonder, where next! The area beyond the current pasture area is where the old hay field was, or is, and it needs to be rejuvenated. However, across from the current pastures is a possibility as it is thicker an would make a good goat and pig pasture. However, it’s probably also where I can get the most accessible firewood. The other possible area is right up hill of our house, which used to be gardens, and is also the easiest to get electric fencing setup on, which is also likely our next go to! 

As always, we invite you to leave your fears behind and come embrace the fun at Briden Farm, where the Tea is always on, and the Coffee is not far behind!