tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8842852562944962435.post8592011812513309853..comments2023-09-24T05:19:13.830-04:00Comments on Roberts Roost: Betty Davis EyesAlanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08442419546836689939noreply@blogger.comBlogger7125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8842852562944962435.post-83030236688967409012008-06-03T15:13:00.000-04:002008-06-03T15:13:00.000-04:00Esther,Cheese is something we are learning. We've...Esther,<BR/><BR/>Cheese is something we are learning. We've made some good mozzarella, and some pretty good feta. Other cheeses are in process right now. We are good at yogurt.Alanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08442419546836689939noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8842852562944962435.post-62695439622519403752008-06-03T14:13:00.000-04:002008-06-03T14:13:00.000-04:00Alan,I know how you feel. The kid goat I had as a ...Alan,<BR/><BR/>I know how you feel. The kid goat I had as a child, one I grew very, very close to, was killed for food. Had I known what I was eating at the time, it would have revolted me.<BR/><BR/>You'll bond closely with these two, until they outgrow the cuteness, as they will. Time, as you say in your post, is on your side.<BR/><BR/>And, when I myself killed for food, I thanked the spirit of the animal who gave the ultimate to sustain me.I received comfort and acceptance in return. It is what it is.<BR/><BR/>I admire you tremendously for taking on this challenge of sustainability...something I am striving towards as much as I can, myself.Marionhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00607220451457829777noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8842852562944962435.post-3915503017829364482008-06-03T12:49:00.000-04:002008-06-03T12:49:00.000-04:00Goats!Do you make cheese as well as use their milk...Goats!<BR/><BR/>Do you make cheese as well as use their milk?<BR/><BR/>EstherEsther Montgomeryhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05412078991551799972noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8842852562944962435.post-33971888790982169862008-06-03T12:35:00.000-04:002008-06-03T12:35:00.000-04:00Hand milking is a rare skill here too. I got the ...Hand milking is a rare skill here too. I got the "privilege" of learning to milk as a child. I cant say I enjoyed it much then, twice a day, every day, regardless of the weather or other activities scheduled. Still, something must have attracted me because I find my self spending a great deal of time, effort, and money for the privilege now.<BR/><BR/>We have an Irish Dexter cow that we milk for our home use, as well as a small herd of Alpine Goats. The dairy farms in our area have a lot of Jersey and Holstein, with some Ayreshire and a few other breeds. Haven't seen any milking Devons. Red Devon beef cows are a rare but rather sought after breed here.Alanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08442419546836689939noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8842852562944962435.post-30715191620873150902008-06-03T11:07:00.000-04:002008-06-03T11:07:00.000-04:00Sorry, I don't know the proper terminology for the...Sorry, I don't know the proper terminology for the bullock / steer side of things as it was really only the milking (and clearing up afterwards!) side of things that I was involved in.<BR/><BR/>With the calves, it was the ocassional scattering of straw, to help out.<BR/><BR/>'Our' bull calves were taken away really very young.<BR/><BR/>And I wouldn't pretend, in any way, to be an expert!<BR/><BR/>However, I truly enjoyed the company of cows over the three years when I helped with the milking. (I did only the evening milking and then it would generally be only one cow - out of the four or five that were in milk at any one time.)<BR/><BR/>However, I still feel proud that I learned how to milk by hand. I am in England (Dorset) and not many people do it here now. There are few small farms so it is generally machine milking.<BR/><BR/>(By the way, 'our' cows were Jerseys, South Devon Red and Ayreshires - if that means anything to you . . . I expect you are keeping different breeds where you are.)<BR/><BR/>EstherEsther Montgomeryhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05412078991551799972noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8842852562944962435.post-34685909922775570642008-06-03T10:58:00.000-04:002008-06-03T10:58:00.000-04:00Glad you both found me. I let you know on the sav...Glad you both found me. I let you know on the savings. The problem with growing your own beef is it takes so long. I suppose that after the first year it all evens out. <BR/><BR/>Esther, we would call a bullock a steer. Ours will be when they are just a little older. They haven't been "fixed" yet (I guess they are still 'broken?')Alanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08442419546836689939noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8842852562944962435.post-67576202147619428212008-06-03T09:59:00.000-04:002008-06-03T09:59:00.000-04:00HelloI've not been here before either.Your post ma...Hello<BR/><BR/>I've not been here before either.<BR/><BR/>Your post made me homesick.<BR/><BR/>I used to live in the country and hand-milk cows. Now I live in a town. It's not a very big one - so, if I want, I can walk to a field and find some to look at - but it's not the same.<BR/><BR/>I was never sure how much they bothered about us (the cows) but they certainly had very distinctive characters and approaches to life - which made us very close to them.<BR/><BR/>I think bull calves and bullocks may, perhaps, be different?<BR/><BR/>- You don't get quite as close to them as when you are milking - and you know of their destiny right from the beginning - which influences things.<BR/><BR/>Esther Montgomery<BR/><A HREF="http://estherinthegarden.blogspot.com/" REL="nofollow">ESTHER IN THE GARDEN</A><BR/><BR/>P.S. - Came through BlotanicalEsther Montgomeryhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05412078991551799972noreply@blogger.com