Ive been looking at goats ,went Saturday to look at some, tried to milk and was awful at it. I had posted my concerns about my lack of skill in a previous post and received alot of encouragement. It really helped me. I went back again this morning to try again after cutting all my nails real short. Dont get the idea Im into my nails, they just happen to grow pretty strong without any effort on my part. I did it! I dont claim I was fast,but I did it! This may be old hat for you guys, but I'm excited! Goats are great! Denise.

-- Denise Hammock (jphammock@earthlink.net), May 09, 2000 Answers Good for you, Denise!! It'll be old hat for you, too, sooner than you would believe possible, but don't ever forget that excitement, and the next 'newbie' will be one you can help!!

-- Kathleen Sanderson (stonycft@worldpath.net), May 09, 2000.

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Congrats Denise! When are we all invited over for homemade goat cheese and crackers? Gerbil

-- Gerbil (ima_gerbil@hotmail.com), May 09, 2000.

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Good job Denise! Your hooked now! Vicki

-- Vicki McGaugh (vickilonesomedoe@hotmail.com), May 09, 2000.

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Great job.... told ya you could do it!!!!!! Now take a bow... everyone applaud for our girl! bernice

-- Bernice (geminigoats@yahoo.com), May 09, 2000.

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You;ll be fine , it took me less than a week to get it going smoothly . I hade never milked before either !

-- Patty Gamble (fodfarms@slic.com), May 09, 2000.

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clap, clap, clap,clap,clap.....Good for YOU !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! isn't it FUN to do new stuff???????

-- Lesley Chasko (martchas@gateway.net), May 09, 2000.

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We knew you could do it! You'll get faster with experience.The first time I milked, I was so inept that the doe turned and grabbed a mouth ful of my hair and yanked on it! Pretty soon you'll be teaching someone else how to milk!

-- Rebekah (daniel1@transport.com), May 09, 2000.

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Oh Geez! Typical breeder trick. Let them milk the first couple of times for free; then they make you buy a milk goat to get your fix! :-) It gets easier very quickly. In the very near future you'll look back at your post and chuckle at yourself!

-- Jim Roberts (jroberts1@cas.org), May 10, 2000.

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Jim, this is so true! I love it when new folks want to come and help with chores! I always ask them if they also need to learn how to use a rake and scoop shovel too! Vicki

-- Vicki McGaugh (vickilonesomedoe@hotmail.com), May 10, 2000.

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Ha! No kidding! The first time I visited the breeder I dealt with, I showed up wearing clean clothes and my dancin' shoes. Later, when I visited, I would just put on my barn clothes and boots prepared to go to work!! :-)) I'm still not sure who was ready for who!

-- Jim Roberts (jroberts1@cas.org), May 10, 2000.

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Proud of you Denise Hammock -Way to Go!. Eagle

-- eagle (eagle@alpha1.net), May 11, 2000.

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i got my first milk goat 2 weeks ago. had not milked anything since i was about 10 years old ok 1960 when we would visit grandpa and grandma who lived on a farm we kinda learned to milk cows. i am glad you learned to milk as i am glad i was still able to. i also think it helps me with my arthritis in my hands. ginger also pulls a cart in a harness. don't worry she doesn't pull heavy loads or many per day i use her right after i milk for about 30 min. she is needed as i must haul water and have a bad back. this is my second goat and just don't think a homestead is one without a goat but don't everyone yell at me at once that is my thought and everyone is intitled to theirs.

-- gail (gef123@hotmail.com), May 13, 2000.

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How cool is that, an animal doing what it's supposed to. We have had Rhodesian Ridgeback dogs for years, though when you try to purchase them, the breeders are livid with the idea of them being guardian dogs! The very thing that they were bred and born to do. (They can't live outside, Blah Blah Balh, though my Brandy is nearly 14) They want them to be couch potatoes, very large 130 pound couch potatoes :) Oh I forgot it is O.K. for them to run fly courses and win trophys walking around the ring! You did get a purebred to pull your cart didn't you? :) Have a great day! Vicki

-- Vicki McGaugh (vickilonesomedoe@hotmail.com), May 14, 2000.

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Denise, did you buy goats? Did you get the list of Ohio breeders that I mailed to you?

-- Rachel (rldk@hotmail.com), June 03, 2000.

-- Chamoisee (chamoisee@yahoo.com), June 24, 2001