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Milking camels takes a gentle, cooperative partnership among the farmer, mother camel, and her calf.

Just as it has been done for thousands of years, our mother camels raise their own calves and we train them to share the milk with us.

We milk up to two times daily, and collect about one third of what the mother produces. The calf takes the other two thirds. We build up the amount of milk we collect slowly, and give the mother clean, safe, and natural nutritional supplements to help her make for her "twins".

Female camels become reproductive at about age three, and we then introduce them to the herd bull when they are four years old.

After a thirteen month gestation, the female will give birth to one calf. It is our practice to leave the mother and calf to themselves for at least a week to allow them time to emotionally bond and form their personal routine.

We then bring the mother into the milking parlor, allowing her calf to pad along and learn the new surroundings. The calf is smart and learns that if he/she asks her mother for milk in the parlor area and the mother "drops" her milk for her, we will give them both a treat.

When the calf is successfully getting her mother to drop milk in the parlor, we begin hand milking just two of her four teats, and start collecting milk. It is important to note that mother camels only drop milk for 90 seconds at a time, so you are not going to get very much.

The calf can then begin asking for milk again back in the pasture, and then quickly go up to where the mother is eating treats to get her share. Once the calf starts doing this, we can milk both sides of the mother calmly and, if we are good milkers, collect about four liters (a little over one gallon) of milk.

The calf can then begin asking for milk again back in the pasture, and then quickly go up to where the mother is eating treats to get her share. Once the calf starts doing this, we can milk both sides of the mother calmly and, if we are good milkers, collect about four liters (a little over one gallon) of milk.

After about a year of this, the calf is ready to naturally wean. We can then start the cycle again when the mother is receptive. Each female camel can have a calf about once every three years:  13 month gestation  /  12 months milking / 13 (give or take a few) months gestation.

During the year of milking, the calf will work daily with the farmer, and a synergistic rhythm of non force handling is developed as the calf creates a bond with the farmer. Like the mother camel and other herd mates, the calf sees the farmer as a senior member of the herd, and looks to the farmer for guidance and instruction. 

Female calves stay on at the Dairy and eventually become milking partners. Male calves often also stay on at the Dairy, learning to give Camel Rides and participate in Camel Encounters with guests. Male calves may also find new, loving homes with other professional and private individuals who align with our philosophy and practice of camel care.