[smudger]

Are all equal?  I was going to order one from ascott unless there is a better model out there (and not more expensive).


As a first timer, any tips on best /favourite equipment to buy whilst I am ordering the stand?


thx

[jinglejoys]

http://www.theprairiehomestead.com/2011/04/building-a-goat-milking-stand.html
 
http://fiascofarm.com/goats/milkstand.html
 
http://www.braidedbowerfarm.com/2009/03/16/goat-milking-stand-plan/

[smithycraft]

Excellent links.  My husband made our milking table out of old pallets and it works a treat.

[jaykay]

We made ours from the Fiasco farm pattern. It was very easy to do and is excellent to use, plus is very sturdy 


Not really the right angle to show the stand but you get an idea.

[plumseverywhere]

This is ours - comes with several other uses (wet sponge throwing optional)

[jinglejoys]

They could do sw
 
with some of those outside some supermarkets etc 

[Skirza]

How very posh you all are....my 'milking stand' is a piece of board 1m x .5m on 4 breeze blocks! 

[jaykay]

  your girls Plums 

[Anke]

The Fiasco farm one is mine - very similar to Jaykay's in fact!!! My darling of a husband even built me one for taking to shows with me, it comes apart and exactly fits the boot of the car!
 
I have put lino onto it - easily wiped clean.
 
If you are fairly handy with wood - build your own. I was going to buy the Ascott one for travelling, but on enquiring found out that is quite heavy as it is all one piece, just foldable...
 
milking stands also good for - giving injections, cutting feet, brushing long coated goats... and just sitting down in the goatshed when escape from the human house is required....

[smudger]

Thanks all, fantastic one and all. Unfortunately husband is a ninetofiver, so chances of me getting him to spend a valuable day of rest are slim. They do look nice and chunky so definite advantage with jumpity new girls. And the weather forecast isn't good for the weekend, so may a nice dry, inside job may have its appeal...

[Lesley Silvester]

Mine is just a piece of wood with one end wider than the other for me to sit on.  I've never needed anything to hold them in place, not even a tether.  Occasionally I get leaned on but I just lean back.

[Penninehillbilly]

I got 2 wood pallets, cut them in half, so out of each pallet I had a narrow pallet with the 6 blocks of wood (spacers?) underneath. tacked a flat piece of wood on top of one, that goes on the top, the other underneath for extra height. A ring fastened to the wall holds them OK. Cheap plastic 'step/stool' to sit on.
I lean the top one against the wall outside to wash it down.
To stop the occasional (?) foot in bucket, I plaited a bale band 'rope', double stranded, 2 lengths long, loop it round a back leg, under the back of the pallet and put my foot on it while milking, she can't bring her foot too far forward but I can take my foot off quickly if needed.
Mind you, while this works, I sometimes dream of a milking stand, as one girl tries to bite me while milking, she now gets fed AFTER milking, she's learned to let me get on with it

[tizaala]

Home made for us, not good enough for trading standards if you want to sell produce as it is raw wood, just needs seeling with varnish or paint,

[Goat-Lady]

Mine is a permant structure for ease of cleaning, which can be hosed down.
Structure is made of concrete blocks, 18" high infilled with rubble and more concrete.  And with concrete patio slabs for the top.

[jinglejoys]

Haven't got a husband, went out and made one up yesterday afternoon If you want a job done you DIY