Goat Milk Products

[moonstone5879]

Hello, I am looking into owning a pair of Nigerian Dwarfs for pets and milk. I am wondering how much milk is needed for making soap and other body products? Would I have enough milk to start selling soaps and other body products with one doe? Does anyone have experience on making and selling these products and does it pay to at least cover the costs of caring for the goats? Thanks!
P.S. My hope is to find a first freshener and doeling.

 

[SkyWarrior]

NDs probably give about a quart to 2 quarts daily. While they produce nice, creamy milk, you're probably going to run into trouble getting enough milk to create products unless you have more than two goats. I've a NDx doe who produces maybe a quart of milk a day. First freshners don't produce as much milk as does who have been bred before.

Also, never get just one goat. Goats are herd animals and need company of their own kind.

Good luck!

 

[moonstone5879]

Thanks so much! I appreciate your knowledge, and willingness to share!

 

[BlondeSquirrel04]

You'll need a lot of milk, and a steady production, to be able to sell. I don't think 2 NDs would produce enough.

The market is over saturated already. The only reason I am successful is because I make a different kind of soap and use crazy ingredients. If I made the standard beginner's soap, I'd be broke.

It's a BIG expense to get started, and you'll want to wait at least a year from first batch to first sale, because there are 100 ways to ruin a batch. If you miscalculate, you could send someone to the hospital with burns. A person I know ended up in the ER with burns to her eyes because of homemade soap. Do a TON of research so this doesn't happen to you!

 

[babsbag]

Hello, I am looking into owning a pair of Nigerian Dwarfs for pets and milk. I am wondering how much milk is needed for making soap and other body products? Would I have enough milk to start selling soaps and other body products with one doe? Does anyone have experience on making and selling these products and does it pay to at least cover the costs of caring for the goats? Thanks!
P.S. My hope is to find a first freshener and doeling.

I own a soap and lotion business.

It takes 12 oz of milk to make 48 ounces of soap, or about 12 bars. I freeze my milk in 12 oz batches so it is always ready. There are many different ways to make soap but a basic recipe uses olive, palm, and coconut oil plus the milk and lye. I made my first batch out of olive oil, coconut oil, and lard and used a cardboard box for a mold, it turned out fine. I have since moved away from lard or tallow but it was easy to find and a good jumping off point.

It doesn't take as much milk as one might think. I also make goat milk lotion and it takes even less. I substitute about 7-10% of the water with milk so very very little. I can't justify even owning the goat for making lotion. But then again, I own Alpines and Toggs and more than just one of them so I have alot of milk.

IMO soap making isn't hard if you pay attention to detail. Don't cut corners and find a good recipe to start with and use a soap calculator to get the lye right. There are test strips you can get to test for the alkalintiy of the final product or just use your tongue. I don't test and have never had a problem, but I pay strict attention to the weight of my oils and the lye.

If you lived near Anderson CA I would give you a private lesson. I am getting ready to start teaching classes in making soap and lotions. If you have any questions ask away and I will try to help you.

Always wear eye protection when making soap, that is a MUST...never never forget and not just eye glasses, get a good pair of googles.

 

[moonstone5879]

Thanks for the thoughts and suggestions! I by no means think I'm gonna make a living off of making bath and body products especially from having only 2 ND's and Since I want to start with a First Freshener or young doe and a doeling I know I will have very little milk 2 work with for at least a year. I basically would like to brake even or make a small profit after costs for goat care, soap and other product ingredients and making supplies. I appreciated the positive feedback! I will definitely keep you in mind when I have questions thanks for the offer!

 

[OneFineAcre]

You will not be able to produce enough milk from one doe to cover costs. Probably not with two.

But, I don't think you should look at it that way. You can produce enough to have high quality milk, soap and cheese for your family.

And, you know the animals providing this for your family are loved, respected, and cared for properly.

Plus, it's lots of fun. They pay you back in many other ways.

 

[moonstone5879]

Thanks everyone! Babsbag thanks for the offer!!! Have you thought about video taping your classes? You could sell them too!