A Goat Milking Stand

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The completed goat milking stand looks like this.
The completed goat milking stand looks like this.
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Goat positioned in goat milking stand, wondering why feed box is empty.
Goat positioned in goat milking stand, wondering why feed box is empty.
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Diagram displays parts and assembly procedure for the goat milking stand.
Diagram displays parts and assembly procedure for the goat milking stand.

Not long ago–after grappling with my ornery old goat Eunice just one time too many–I decided that I was due to own a milking stand. Besides hoping that I could save a little of my own hide–and maybe even keep that crotchety nanny from tap-dancing in the milk bucket–I figured I could use the restrainer when trimming the critter’s hooves and administering her shots . . . two jobs that have always been difficult for both the nanny and me.

However, my search for a functional commercial milking stand was pretty disappointing. I found one locally. . . but it cost $60 and was so flimsy that I knew darn well Eunice would kick it into kindling in no time flat. Even a search of likely local auctions proved fruitless: I did, at one of the public sales, spy a custom job that looked sturdy enough to take my goat’s best kick . . . but unfortunately I would have needed a crane and a flatbed truck to haul the massive frame (made from 4 x 6’s) away.

So with my good humor stretched to the breaking point from several hours of fruitless driving, and yet another milking time comin’ up soon, I stomped out to the of workshop and set about building my own milking stand . . . a device that would measure up to my specific needs.

The resulting goat-grabber weighs less than 60 pounds, has survived almost a year of Eunice’s abuse, and–best of all–can cost less than $18.24 to build (if you recycle some lumber, as I did). I’ve managed to haul the stand to two fairs (without slipping a disc lifting it), and have trimmed my nanny goat’s hooves and administered her injections with a minimum of trouble … since she’d much rather munch on oats from the feed bin than complain about such small-time nuisances. Indeed, this stand might just be the answer to most any goat keeper’s prayers. And–if you’ll follow my instructions–I think you’ll find it as easy to build as I did. Here is a larger image of the construction diagram.

Precutting Your Wood

  • Published on Jan 1, 1980
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