Can you milk pygmy goats?

[SDGsoap&dairy]

Just be aware of what you want and what your goat is capable of.

 

[laughingdog]

now im curious if finding a pygmy dwarf doe, for my nigerian dwarf male, might be an interesting indevor. think the babies might come out to be good milkers or could cross them to (what?), to get milkers, meat and great yard mantainance?

 

[elevan]

now im curious if finding a pygmy dwarf doe, for my nigerian dwarf male, might be an interesting indevor. think the babies might come out to be good milkers or could cross them to (what?), to get milkers, meat and great yard mantainance?

This is actually currently a project that I am working on. First and foremost you need to know what your milk lines are for your ND buck. How was his dam at milking and what was her udder like? Then you want a pygmy doe who has exhibited a good udder herself.

There are certainly no guarantees of what you will get if you just willy nilly 2 different breeds the first time around. You'll need to do some selective breeding over time. But I believe that a marketable tri-purpose kid can be the outcome. I already consider my pygmies tri-purpose but the milk production could certainly be increased.

 

[laughingdog]

i have no idea the sire or dam, as it was the odd buck with two wild colour does, that were orphaned and this one i was not wanted.

 

[elevan]

i have no idea the sire or dam, as it was the odd buck with two wild colour does, that were orphaned and this one i was not wanted.

You could certainly give it a go and see what you get. Maybe you could be more discerning in your choice of doe?

You should still get a moderate amount of meat and milk for a small family.

Best of luck to you!

 

[laughingdog]

thanks, and just might need neighbor's help from one who want to eat mine, to slaughter tender baby goats or raised adults for fiesta. i might sob like a little girl for a sec, the first time!

 

[elevan]

thanks, and just might need neighbor's help from one who want to eat mine, to slaughter tender baby goats or raised adults for fiesta. i might sob like a little girl for a sec, the first time!

Don't blame you. We send all of our slaughter out. I can't even do the chickens. I know it makes the final product more costly...but...I just can't do it and neither can DH. I tried with one of the roosters and had a panic attack so they all go out now.

 

[laughingdog]

well i cull rats and such for feeders and freezer stored food, but not sure how the culling of roos or hens that i can sell will go even, or if i can bring myself to kill a goat (unless he is a really beastly one. lol).