What is a goat milking stand, you might ask? Well, I believe it be a necessity for anyone wanting to milk their dairy goats. It is a simple platform for the goats to stand on and eat while you milk them. Another benefit to a goat milking stand is that the goat is elevated up off of the ground.
In this article, we'll guide you through building your own milking stand specifically designed for Nigerian Dwarf goats. This milking stand has an attached step and seat in the back, making the milking process easier and more comfortable for both you and your goat.
Do you need a stand to milk a goat? Technically, no you don’t but it makes the milking process a lot easier and much more sanitary. A milking stand is much more comfortable and convenient for both you and your doe. Since milking is something I do every single day, I like to streamline it as much as possible.
Let's dive into the details!
Benefits of a Goat Milking Stand
- Makes milking easier and more sanitary.
- Elevates the goat off the ground.
- Reduces strain on your back.
- Some goat stands have a head catch to help restrain the more wily goats.
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Materials Needed
Like most homesteaders, we are very good at collecting scrap wood and things. I’m happy to say that we were able to use scrap materials so our goat milking stand was completely free for us. The cost to build this one if you had to buy the materials would be around $50.00 (2023).
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Base Frame:
- 2x4s, (4) cut to 17″ for legs.
- 2x4s, (2) cut to 36″ for the long sides.
- 2x4s, (2) 20″ pieces for the short side.
- 1x4s, (10) cut to 24″ for floor
- 1x4 cut to 32″ for center bottom of floor.
Stanchion:
- Cut 1x4s (2) to 35.5″ for head support.
- Cut vertical supports from 2x4s, to 28.25″.
- Bottom horizontal support is a 1×4 cut at 22 7/8″.
- Middle horizontal support is a 2×4 cut to 22 7/8″.
- Cut inside support 1×4 at 22 7/8″.
Step & Seat for Milking:
- (2) 11.25″ cuts from 1x4s for step sides .
- (4) 8 1/8″ cuts from 2x4s for the step legs.
- Plywood piece cut to 20 3/8″ x 11.5″.
- Scrap 2x4s all cut to the same height for the legs (8 1/8″ each).
Step-by-Step Instructions
Building the stand was very quick and simple.
Building the Base Frame:
- Build the front and back pieces using (2) 17″ long 2x4s for the legs and (1) 20″ piece for the horizontal piece.
- Add the two long sides. The trick to this is making sure you’re on a perfectly flat surface and to make sure they’re all even.
- Attach 1x4s on top of the frame to create the top.
- Add an additional 1×4 down the bottom middle in hopes it would provide additional support and prevent the boards from bowing over time.
- Spread the boards out at the end a bit.
Constructing the Stanchion (Head Piece):
- Adding a 28.25″ vertical board on either side.
- Use a 1×4 that is 22 7/8″ at the bottom on the feeder side of the vertical 2x4s.
- Add a horizontal 1×4 on the inside and a horizontal 2×4 on the outside cut at 22 7/8″.
- Place them 17 3/8″ up from the bottom of the rectangular base.
- For the head lock area, cut 1x4s into (2) 35.5″ pieces. Use a jig saw to cut an area for the doe’s head.
- Screw the angled piece in with one screw and two screws for the stationary 1×4.
- For my Nigerian DWARF goat, the neck opening with both pieces side by side is 3.5″ wide and 10.25″ tall. The opening starts at 17.5″ up from the base bottom.
- Add a small latch to hold it closed while milking.
Adding the Step & Seat:
- Scrap 2x4s all cut to the same height for the legs (8 1/8″ each).
- Screw a couple of 11.25″ 1x4s in place for the sides.
Customization and Adjustments
When choosing the size of your stand, you will want to take into consideration the size of your goat breed. The important part is getting the correct height for your goat… if you have a taller breed, this part is higher. A shorter breed needs it to be lower.
Note that you may need to adjust the height of the middle wood cuts depending on the height of your doe. Mine is a Nigerian Dwarf goat. For my Nigerian DWARF goat, the neck opening with both pieces side by side is 3.5″ wide and 10.25″ tall.
Additional Tips
- Consider adding a mat on top: My doe seems to slip around a bit and I think I need something that has more traction for her.
- Add extra support: I was told that I might want to give this additional support by screwing a wood support horizontally from the front leg to the back leg on each side.
- Paint or stain the stand: I should probably paint this just to protect it. I like to wipe it down with a wet cloth daily and I’m not sure how it’ll stand up to long term use without a paint or stain/poly.
Cost and Time
How much does it cost to build a goat milking stand? This one would cost around $50.00 in 2023 materials pricing. We were able you use scraps so ours was free!
How long does it take to build a goat milking stand? This depends on your skill level. The average person with the right tools should be able to complete this project in 2-3 hours.
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Head Gate Considerations
Does a goat milking stand need a head gate? While you could build one without a head gate, I would not suggest it. Goats are much more cooperative when they can’t get away.
Some goat stands (including this one) have a head catch to help restrain the more wily goats.
Ready-Made Options
We looked into buying a ready-made goat milking stand when we first started milking goats. Depending upon the materials the stand was made of and what options (wheels, ramp, portable…) were included, you could expect to dish out anywhere from $250-$350 just for a basic unit. So, of course, my DIY “I can do that cheaper and better” brain kicked in.
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