getting a goat?

[groleau6]

My boys want goats. I don't really see a problem with that except for the fact I know nothing about them. I know chickens, we own chickens. It is my daughter's project for her school, which is probably why they want goats. haha I know we are leaning more towards milking goats than meat, and I know goats are pretty easy to maintain. I am wondering though, which breed is good with children? and are there any breeds that could provide enough milk to a family of six?? or maybe enough to make some cheese and soap? just curious, since we homeschool I am wondering if we can work in our practical life class in our farming. Any info would be great!

 

[Melanie]

I started with miniature goats but I have a family of 11 and was not getting enough milk. I now have Lamanchas and am getting enough milk for my family size. I believe goats are friendly animals but some are friendlier then other due to how they were raised. If you are getting a goat in milk, I also suggest you ask the breeder if you can milk her and taste her milk. This will let you know how she is on the milking stand and also if you like the taste of her milk.

 

[groleau6]

That is a good idea. Thank you

 

[OneFineAcre]

If you have the space and you want milk for a large family, you should probably get one of the standard breeds. La Mancha, Nubian, Saanen, Toggenburg, Alpine, Oberhasli. Check them out, you may just fall in love with one of them.

 

[frustratedearthmother]

I'm milking a 2nd freshener Kinder and am getting over a gallon a day...AND an older pygmy doe and getting 1/2 gallon a day from her! Just putting it out there....

 

[groleau6]

I'm milking a 2nd freshener Kinder and am getting over a gallon a day...AND an older pygmy doe and getting 1/2 gallon a day from her! Just putting it out there....

Half a gallon from a pygmy a day ?! that's about what we would need. Thank you for telling me what you are getting from your goats.

 

[OneFineAcre]

I'm milking a 2nd freshener Kinder and am getting over a gallon a day...AND an older pygmy doe and getting 1/2 gallon a day from her! Just putting it out there....

Half gallon from a Pygmy, Wow.

 

[OneFineAcre]

Half a gallon from a pygmy a day ?! that's about what we would need. Thank you for telling me what you are getting from your goats.

family of 6 I thought you needed a lot more. If that's all you need, definitely Nigerian Dwarfs.

 

[groleau6]

My children are under all under 10, so a half gallon a day works out well for us right now. If and when I need more, another Dwarf would fit my needs just fine.

 

[OneFineAcre]

My children are under all under 10, so a half gallon a day works out well for us right now. If and when I need more, another Dwarf would fit my needs just fine.

Frustratedearthmothers half gallon a day pygmy is truly exceptional. It takes a very good Nigerian to give half gallon a day. Point being is that all of these animals don't produce at that level. We have 9 in milk now, and we only have 4 that produce at that level, and then only at peak lactation.

You can't keep just one goat anyway, they are a herd animal. You need at least two, preferably 3.