Picking the best goat milking machine can turn out to be the hardest part of getting a milker. Which one is the best machine will depend a little on what you need in one. Each farm, whether small or big, is unique and has its own unique needs.
Our pick for the best goat milking machine overall is the CJWDZ. It’s super affordable, easy to clean, and easy to use – pretty much all you need in a milker.
Our favorite lightweight milker is from Sheens – it’s the most basic goat milker in this review but it’s also simple to use and easy to carry around.
The one thing that lets it down is that it is more expensive than our top pick, which seems a bit crazy considering it’s smaller and made of plastic…
One milking machine that didn’t make it into this review because it’s a brand new release is the Ultimate EZ Milking Machine, sold by Lehman’s.
It’s about 3 times the price of the ones included in this review, but if you’re looking for a milking machine for a larger herd – I highly recommend you take a look at it!
Our Best Goat Milking Machine Top 3
#1
#2
#3
Milking machines for goats usually cost somewhere around $150. Some of them are more expensive than this, but sometimes you can get them on sale for cheaper if they are used.
However, used milkers will not last you as long, though they can be a good option if you are not certain whether a milking machine is something you want.
Why Would You Get a Milking Machine
Milking a single goat can easily take 30 minutes, which definitely is long enough to make your hands ache.
However, the best goat milking machine can do this for you in the same amount of time or slightly less, without wearing out your hands.
During this time, you can get anywhere from one to three or even close to four liters of milk from each goat.
This depends on if your doe is specifically a dairy breed, if you are letting her kids nurse from her, if she is a pygmy or a full-sized goat, and a few other things.
Milking machines are especially useful if you have a doe who gets impatient with you if you take too long to milk her.
Some does will only stand still until they are done with their food, and then they want to get off of the milking stand!
In this case, a milking machine can help ensure that your girl gets milked as quickly as possible and without needing to have a bowl or bucket right underneath your doe where she can step in it if she is being unruly.
Most people do this either once or twice a day, and it is important to try to milk your girls at the same time every day either way.
This is usually done in your goat shelter, where you are your goats can be out of the weather. You should also use the time when they are on the milking stand to check their hooves.
#1. Best Overall: CJWDZ Milking Machine for Goats
Summary
Easy to use, affordable goat milker suitable even for dwarf goats. Nice variety of sizes and comes with cleaning brushes.
What We Like
- Easy to use, affordable goat milker suitable even for dwarf goats
- Nice variety of sizes and comes with cleaning brushes
What We Don’t Like
- The container is not pure stainless steel
- Lid has no seal
- Needs 2 hands to lift so you have no hands free
#2. S SMAUTOP 7L Electric Pulsation Milking Machine
Summary
Great value milking machine made of 304 stainless, but can be a little tricky to put together. The single handle is a plus if you like to have a hand free.
#3. SEAAN Goat Milker Electric Milking Machine
Summary
Nice goat milking machine made from 304 stainless but unlike the Smautop milker, this one has 2 handles. Works on dwarf goats. Comes with some spare parts which you’ll need – this milker is not the most durable milker in this review.
#4. Hantop Cow Goat Milking Machine
Summary
One of the pricier options for a goat milking machine and “keeping it away from wet or dusty areas” isn’t particularly easy on a farm! There are better, more affordable options above.
#5. Sheens Electric Milking Machine Kit
Summary
Smaller, lightweight milker made from plastic instead of the “regular” stainless (or semi-stainless). Super gentle and easy to use, but the higher price lets it down.
What to Look For in the Best Goat Milking Machine
Knowing what you are looking for in the best goat milking machine is at least half of the struggle of picking one out.
The whole point of having a milking machine is to make things easier for you. Unfortunately, getting the wrong milker will quite possibly only make things harder.
Pulsation System
Milking machines work in one of two ways. They either have a steady pull to them, or they pulse.
Pulsing is better for many reasons.
It is more like a kid drinks from the udder or how you might milk from hand. Since that is how the udders are designed to work, it is far better for your goats.
Different pulsation systems will have different tempos, also known as pulsating cycles. Some milking machines have pulsating cycles of between 40-46 times per minute.
Every type of animal’s sucking pace is different, and your girls are going to be the most comfortable with a pace that most closely resembles the pace that their young suck from them.
Slower speeds take longer, and the doe can get impatient, and faster speeds might get the job done faster but are also likely to give your doe sore teats.
Made for Goats
Most milking machines are made for cows.
Though you can use some of these for milking your dairy goats, it is much better for your girls to be milked with something that is made for them. Part of this has to do with the fit.
A milker that was designed for cows isn’t going to fit the teats of your goats as well. This can lead to the milker leaving light bruising on your girl on her teats, which is one of the causes of mastitis.
Easy to Clean
There are different things that can make a milker either easier or harder to clean.
Simple designs, for example, are a great place to start. The fewer pieces that go into putting together the milker, the fewer pieces there will be for you to clean.
Then, what the milker is made of also affects how easy it is to clean.
Plastic may be lightweight but over time, it might keep some of the “milky” smell no matter how deeply you clean it.
Stainless steel is the best option for the container.
However, impure stainless steel can rust over time, which is obviously not something you want to put your milk in, on top of the fact that it is not easy to clean anymore.
Other Odds and Ends
Other things that you can look at when choosing a milker are how quiet it is, how the handle or handles are set, and an automatic stop feature.
This last one is something that most milking machines are equipped with, but not all machines have it.
If the milking machine were to keep going even after it is full, it can damage the machine itself, causing strain on the milking machine itself and potentially squeezing milk into places it shouldn’t be.
This is why you must keep an eye out for this or watch your milker carefully if it doesn’t have this feature.
As for how quiet the machine is, some does are easily startled by noises. Though they can be taught to get used to the noise of a milking machine, skittish does will do better with quieter milkers.
The handles are a matter of preference.
Two handles will help you to keep a better grip on the container of milk, helping keep the milk inside from sloshing out.
However, two handles also mean that you won’t have a free hand.
One handle on top will enable you to carry the milk inside with one hand free to open doors, but the milk will slosh from side to side, spilling out if the seal is not perfect.
Also, carrying that amount of weight on one side can be awkward.
How Will You Milk Your Goats?
Have you decided a goat milking machine is the way to go, or will you stick with hand milking? Let us know in the comments below!
Gina
Tuesday 14th of December 2021
One homemade version left out uses a mason jar, dose syringes and a small battery pump or brake bleeder tool to build vacuum. I've been using mine all year and it works great and saves my hands being useless for the rest of the day! Dansha Farms is one company that makes these for you although you could easily rig one up yourself.