[Melias farm]

I’m after some advice if possible please

I milk 2 of my 4 ewes for my daughters consumption only. So huge amounts aren’t needed.

They still have lambs at foot so it’s working well this far.
Only issue is I’m struggling milking because of tennis elbow in both arms. It’s freaking painful tbh.
I’m saving for the milking machine I want (Tim gibson one).
Can anyone recommend a cheap and cheerful one that can help me out until I finish saving up for what I need please?

Please no comments about how can I afford a vets bill if needed. I have money set aside for that I won’t touch even though I’m in pain.
I’m doing this life as my daughter has complex needs and can’t drink or eat shop bought in case of chemicals being used in it as she’s anaphylactic to pretty much everything it feels like.

Thank you I’m tearing myself in 2 trying to do everything while I’m pain. If I can reduce this it would make it sooo much easier

[Steph Hen]

I feel your pain. My youngest is 5 now and allergic to about everything in a packet. No help on the sheep milking though sorry.
Have you read this, https://onlineshop.oxfam.org.uk/gut-and-psychology-syndrome/product/HD_300836971?pscid=ps_ggl_shopping&gclid=CjwKCAjwu_mSBhAYEiwA5BBmf4PUZanHND-ugfoKP5CRY8rG6wbgNufTcTNAdeD0IdoNcFR4sU2guhoC8rIQAvD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds
GAPS diet, Campbell Mc Bride.
 NHS have zero interest in investigating or answering why there’s this dreadful raft off illness that’s damaging children and ruining lives which is such a shame.

[Anke]

I personally would think it wasteful to spend money on a "cheap-in-the-meantime" machine of (probably) low quality, when you could put this money towards a proper milking machine.


Having started milking my goats with severe Carpal Tunnel syndrome I know how difficult it is to milk through pain. I also think that pain/discomfort makes your milking technique not as easy and painless for the animal, which only adds to your problems and may well lead to mastitis or similar.


Also sheep are a lot more difficult to milk (tiny teats!) for not much of a return in milk yield compared to goats or cows.


So before you buy a machine geared towards sheep I would seriously investigate dairy goats rather than sheep. Also - would your daughter be able to learn to milk herself? My daughters learned to milk goats before they were 10 years old.


As to not being able to drink shop-bought - there are a number of organic dairies (both cow and goats) that deliver to either local health food shops, or you should be able to get raw, un-homogenised milk delivered (usually frozen). I cannot see the reasoning behind investing in several milking animals (and all that comes with it) if this is only for one person...

[SallyintNorth]

My personal theory is that many of the problems stem from homogenisation.  Youngsters' guts are not designed to handle these teeny particles.  So it could be worth a try with unhomogenised, chemical free cows' milk.  Especially unhomogenised, chemical free, AA Jersey cows' milk .   (And note that many Crohns disease sufferers find that raw, unhomogenised cows ' milk isn't just tolerated, it actually helps them.) 

if so, you could look into Smiling Tree Farm in Shropshire.  They supply raw, unhomogenised Pasture for Life Jersey milk by post.  Expensive per litre compared to homogenised shop milk, but cheaper than running your own animals, especially for just one!  (And pain free too.)   Christine Page is very approachable if you wanted to discuss it with her.

[Anke]

My personal theory is that many of the problems stem from homogenisation. 

It is my personal theory too....


And even better - milk kefir made from raw non-homgenised milk.

[Wannabeesmallholder]

Melias farm sorry I can't help on the milking side.. But I can massively sympathise on the allergy side.

I suffer from many food intolerances and allergies and sadly I passed them onto my daughter.. Luckily we live near-ish to Sheffield children's hospital and they have a good allergy department that have been helpful. Better than what I had growing up anyway 🤧

Having said that first they thought with my daughter was dairy.. we tried all the various milks of the various brands.. to no avail.. Fast forward 9 yrs and it turned out to be a Soya allergy and nothing to do with milk and now shes pretty good.. so 🤞you'll get there

Sadly of course soya nowadays is in pretty much everything including a fair bit of commercial animal feed.. So it appeared she was allergic to multiple things but was mostly caused by one silly little bean 🙄 don't get me wrong she isn't allergy free but loads better.. touch wood 🪵

SallyintNorth and Anke..

My mother would love you two. homogenisation is her pet hate.

I guess in short we as mankind or commercial  food producers have just gone too far away from natural real food made in a natural way and its starting to have knock on effects..

Wow that turned into a rant it was only going to be a short reply 😳