Goats VS. Cows

[neongirl83]

I want a animal that will give me milk so I could drink it, make cheese, yourgut, etc... But I dont like goats milk and I love cows milk. But are cows harder to take care of? Whats the pros and cons?

 

[Pearce Pastures]

Well, if you don't like the milk, even if goats are less work, it wouldn't be worth your labors. Where did you get the goat milk when you tired it? I ask because the stuff in the stores is DISGUSTING and our Nigerian milk tastes exactly like cow milk that has had a pinch of sugar added.

 

[WhiteMountainsRanch]

I second the post above... I had never had good fresh goats milk and when I did try it it was amazing! I ended up getting goats and I LOVE their milk, it really tastes just like whole cows milk, it's fantastic. It does depend on what they are eating. Mine are on all alfalfa.

1. Goats take less feed than cows.
2. Goats take less acreage than cows.
3. It's easier to fence (keep) goats in.
4. Your "milking parlor" ie stands and equipment will be smaller and easier to handle...


I'll post more if I can think of them. Hope this helps!

 

[WildRoseBeef]

I was going to say similar thing to what WMR said, except for the fencing part. Though I've never raised goats (raised cattle here), I have to disagree with number three...it is harder to keep goats in a fence than cattle, especially if you don't know what is the best fence to use for goats.

 

[Straw Hat Kikos]

I was going to say similar thing to what WMR said, except for the fencing part. Though I've never raised goats (raised cattle here), I have to disagree with number three...it is harder to keep goats in a fence than cattle, especially if you don't know what is the best fence to use for goats.

I agree with the above too but I also agree with WRB. Cattle are easier to fence than goats. Much easier actually.

 

[Cricket]

Goat milk is easier to digest, but doesn't separate as easily, so is harder to deal with if you're making butter, etc. My problem with keeping goats was that we have a number of saplings in different parts of the pasture and they would debark them and kill the tree.

Sometimes I think it all boils down to which critter you like the best--you'll manage to deal with whatever comes your way to make it work! (Then there's my favorite cow, the Jersey, where you get all the bratty goat personality in a cow package!)

There's some really good threads in the MILK forum on goat milk--like I didn't realize different goats can have different tasting milk.

Have fun with your research!

 

[CochinBrahmaLover=)]

Agreed, goats are easier to take care of, but harder to fence in. By like, a lot. But - if you TRULY hate goats milk (had fresh stuff,) - then there are mini cows (mini zebu's)

 

[kstaven]

Sometimes I think it all boils down to which critter you like the best--you'll manage to deal with whatever comes your way to make it work!

Have fun with your research!

That is what it all comes down too.

 

[greybeard]

But are cows harder to take care of? (than goats) Whats the pros and cons?

Go look in the general sections under "emergencies" and read thru about 4 pages of it. Seems there ain't a day goes by there ain't a goat sick, dead, or about to be.

 

[Southern by choice]

But are cows harder to take care of? (than goats) Whats the pros and cons?

Go look in the general sections under "emergencies" and read thru about 4 pages of it. Seems there ain't a day goes by there ain't a goat sick, dead, or about to be.

Sneaking in here! I lurk through the cattle section, unnoticed.
I have to laugh at Greybeards comment. He's right, it's crazy!

I have goats, which I enjoy. I do not have cattle. Our main vet, who is a retired oldtimer IS a cattle vet. He told us goats are easy you just need to understand the parasite issues. Cattle isn't that hard, but, birthing and the need for assistance is higher with cattle than goats. Cows produce so much more milk you really want to think about what your going to do with it all.

I think you see so many pages in goats is more people have goats and newbie farmers want something smaller an easier. You need more land with cows, which limits many people to the kind of livestock. I also think you have a lot more people in goats that are "rescuers", everything is a pet, not always livestock. I don't mean that to be derogatory. We have had goats for over a year, being new to them when you have something "off" you ask. I am not into "rescuing" or keeping goats with issues. We run our own fecals and have healthy animals with no fuss. There is one ND Buck who has terrible parasite resistance... he is headed to the freezer. If more people properly culled and only kept parasite resistant, hardy, well producing goats you'd see a lot less of these issues. IMO! I have thought many times it would be easier to just have 1 cow. We go through 2 gallons of milk a day, and average 5 lbs of butter a week. If we made cheese it would be killer to have a cow.

I have to admit though, a cow just seems so much more intimidating to me. I also wouldn't know what to do when it came time to breed her, I don't have a trailer. I also am not into ripping babies from their mommies, I will not bottle feed anything. I might be wrong here but I would think for a newbie a goat might be easier.