How to Milk a Sheep

Ewe or sheep’s milk has been used for centuries as a mainstay food source. Sheep’s milk is richer than the milk from a cow or a goat as it has more solids, or milk fat, and less water per gallon. Milking a sheep is not much different than milking a goat; the key is being patient as you and the ewe learn the process.

Things You'll Need

• Milking stand
• Utter Wash
• Grain
• Feed bucket
• Milking stool
• Stainless-steel milk bucket
• Milk filters

Instructions

1. Secure the ewe on the milking stand. If no stand is available, tie a short lead from the sheep’s collar to an immovable hook or pole in the barn or shed. Allow just enough lead for the sheep to dip her head into a bucket of feed during milking.

2. Clean the utter area of the ewe. Utter washes are available at most feed stores and will remove any contaminants, such as loose hair, dust or dirt.

3. Fill the feed bucket with a cup or two of grain and place it where the ewe can reach it and eat from while you are milking. Place the milk bucket beneath the sheep and below the utters.

4. Place your fingers around the teats of the sheep. Begin squeezing tin a rhythmic pattern until the milk starts flowing into the pail. Use a pull-and-squeeze pattern until the utter bag is empty.

5. Strain the milk through a filter and refrigerate as quickly as possible after milking.

Tips & Warnings

• A ewe, like a goat or a cow, is best taught from birth to learn to stand during the milking process. Although an adult ewe can learn to stand, the process is much more cumbersome as the animal must get used to being touched, washed and confined to one place without movement.

• The Italians, Portuguese and Spaniards have, for years, made superb cheeses from the rich milk of ewes. Artesian cheese-makers are beginning to discover the varieties of cheese that can be made from sheep’s milk.