Milking Parlour Tour


Welcome to the milking parlour.
I'm really happy with how it has turned out.
It's proven to be functional and efficient.


This is the main work area.  The stainless table and shelving from Sam's Club made the perfect work surfaces.  That way I can keep them clean.  All the necessary milking equipment and cleaners are here along with milk pails for milk too.


We chose an E-Zee NuPulse mini milker mainly because the pulsator is not on the lid of the bucket which makes it easier to clean.  It has a 4 gallon pail that is the perfect size for a family cow.
The Gast 3/4 horse power vacuum pump regulates the flow at just the right pressure.


We also opted for the in-line filter.  It easily unclamps for a fresh filter to fit inside at each milking.  This way the milk is filtered before it even hits the pail. 



This is the machine that cleans the machine.  If you invest in a milking machine, you should also get the Clean-in-Place (CIP) Bucket Washer.  It makes clean up quick and easy!  Honestly, this is the best part of the machine.  I'd be spending hours cleaning if I didn't have it.  All of our equipment we purchased from Giles Dairy Service.


You attach the teat cups to the washer and turn the machine on just like for milking.
Instead of taking milk from the cow, it pumps dairy detergent/rinse water from buckets underneath, through the machine and into the pail.  This keeps me from having to disassemble it all and drag it in the house to wash. Love it!  Thanks Honey for recommending I get it.  You're so smart!


Next to the machine, on the shelves, we keep teat wipes, teat dip, filters, udder balm, and dairy detergents & towels.  Then we have the trash can and a stool to unfold and use but not trip over when not in use.


The stanchion. (Built by all my guys)
Cocoa eats while she's milked and is so eager to come in, we don't have to lead her on the halter now.  I have a couple of empty protein tubs stacked up for her meals.

The feed is stored to the right of that.  Opened feed is stored in the Rubbermaid barrels.
And of course, we have a fan.  It's summer in Oklahoma, after all.


The stanchion plans can be found here.  
It's proved to be sturdy and functional.  Heavy duty velcro is what we use to close the head gate and for the tail holder.  That's just so she doesn't swat me, unintentionally. ;)


A few improvements are planned for the future.  Rubber mats are covering the floor now but soon will be replaced with concrete and a floor drain.  An industrial sink would be helpful but the hose outside works fine for now.  I'm dreaming of white walls, a pink chair, and maybe a chandelier.
It's a girl place after all ~
It's a parlour!

Comments

  1. Good job, only thing I would change is galvanized cans instead of the Rubbermaid, if you ever have a rodent problem.

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  2. Very nice. I love your pink and chandelier idea! Hahaha it's true, it is a parlor. The girls deserve a little spa treatment. Hehe.

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  3. Beautiful! Everything is so neat and clean, handy and efficient! Hmmm.....we still drag everything to the house to disassemble and wash! I am going to look into this neat set-up. Do you think I can find a nu pulse dealer in NY?? Off to check!

    (you betcha I am showing this to my hubby. And my birthday is coming up soon! *wink*!!)

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    1. Yes, it is definitly worth getting at around $160. I purchased mine from Giles Dairy Service. Even though they don't have it listed on their website, they have it. Just send them an email. It comes straight from NuPulse. Happy Birthday!

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  4. Hi Kim,

    I've been waiting to see the inside of the Parlour! It is amazing. Very, very awesome. How long does it take from start to finish (including prep, clean-up, etc...)? Love it! ~ Dori ~

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    1. It takes about 30 minutes, 5 for the actual milking.

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  5. It looks wonderful. So neat and efficient.

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  6. Wow... all that for one lucky little milk cow. Amazing. It sure looks like the way to go.

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  7. Quite a place! Hahaha ~ a chandy! Wouldn't that be something!

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  8. I've got a comment and a question. Love your little milk barn and your whole place, and your blog. Your setup looks perfect. My question is, with an open barn that you have with ventilation openings between the rafters, and your equipment sitting right out in the open, what do you do about flies?? Don't they have flies in Oklahoma?? :) Thanks, Lee

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    1. Lee,
      The milk pails all have lids and are cleaned each time inside. The NuPulse milker is washed and set upside down, teat cups stay attached to the washer unit until next milking, and all the equipment is covered with cheesecloth. This has kept all insects off and out of the milking machine. Soon we will concrete the floor, and close up the rafter tails and maybe insulate the barn and that will be even better.
      I've found that a clean cow is the best way to keep flies away. Cocoa gets brushed and sprayed down with fly spray twice a day. This makes her happier too!

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    2. I must add that a clean barn helps keep the bugs away too. Sweeping up spilled feed and keeping food containers and trash closed tight, keeps them from having anything to eat. If there are any flies, it's time to clean up.

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  9. We are in the process of setting ours up. Do you leave your claw, etc., on the CIP unit until the next milking? I'm trying to figure out my system, we have never milked before. My CIP directions say rinse with a chlorinated rinse, but the pfanzite is the only chemical sent in my kit. What do you use? Thanks for the the help!

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    1. Our milking days were short because our sweet dairy cow died but I can tell you what we did. For the CIP unit, we ran water mixed with powdered dairy detergent (like what came in your kit) through the unit. We then rinsed another bucket of clean water through the system. I found keeping the teat cups attached to the CIP until the next use kept them the cleanest but I also thought they needed to dry out occasionally. After the morning milking, I would remove them after cleaning and lay them out on the work table. ALL of the cleaned items were covered with good quality cheesecloth from Hoegger Farmyard. I found this to be the best to air dry everything but still remain covered and clean for the next use. Hope that helps. Maybe someday soon we will get another cow. We loved the whole process and I bet you will too. Enjoy the milk!

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So what do you think of that?