Just looking for opinions-- Dairy goats or cow?

[Mamahen]

I'm all for goats! My hubby thinks a cow would be "easier" (?????) Also, I think he is actually afraid none of us will like goat milk. That's because we got some from someone he works with and it was NASTY!!!!!!! And his sis got some goat milk yogurt from the store for her baby and IT was just as nasty

So, I need to get some fresh milk from a couple of the ladies I know with goats and have another taste.

Also we have a lot of allergies that run in the family including dairy (not me, thank goodness, but the kids...) The kids can handle real cultured yogurt and raw milk cheese, but I'm still afraid to let them eat/drink a lot of cow milk. A lot of research says goat milk is safer as far as allergies go.

Plus, I like goats better

 

[kstaven]

Allergies to lactose or casein? if it is lactose you will likely have no problem with unpasteurized cow milk. It will still have the lactase that allows humans to easily digest it. If it is casein then your best odds are with goat milk.

Goat milk is very different in taste and texture from breed to breed. Something to be aware of. Alpine is probably one of the closest to cows milk in taste and texture. While Toggenburg milk is VERY thick and pasty in its texture with a little stronger flavor. Nubians tend to run in the middle of the pack on texture. If the milk you got was goaty and strong it was old or a result of the milking area and equipment not being clean. Cold, fresh goat milk really doesn't taste that different from cow milk.

We dairy both goats and cows here. You may also want to ask yourself what you are going to do with an average of 28 gallons of milk a week. Many states you can get busted for selling it. In a few it is also illegal to even give it away.

 

[Rence]

I don't know what they do to the stuff in the store, but store bought goat milk is a completely different animal then farm fresh (pasteurized or raw). It's completely different. It's a lot like cow milk. I can't see why anyone who likes cow milk wouldn't like goat milk.

In addition to the milking environment, the presence of a buck in rut will also impart a bad taste to a doe's milk. Does the someone your husband work with keep a buck near the doe in milk? The doe should not be able to rub up against a buck in rut, or even smell a buck in rut. It will definitely give her milk a goatie taste. Proper handling will also eliminate any *off* tastes. Sometimes it's what the doe eats. If they can get into wild onions, that will affect the taste. My friend swears her goats' milk tastes less sweet when she increases their alfalfa.

I would tell your husband that it would be more economical to try the goat first and not like it, rather than invest in a cow and not have it work for you.

Everyone's tastes and opinions vary. I would compare nubian milk to 2% or whole milk. While I would compare my friend's LaManchas and Saanens to 1% milk. I haven't tried the other breeds.

Nubian milk is the highest in milkfat, but they will produce the least. You can expect 1 to 1-1/2 gallons a day from them. But the LaManchas and Saanens that my friend has can give at least 2 gallons a day.

Personally, I prefer my cows' milk. I do get a lot of extra milk. But I skim the cream and make butter, I make cheeses and I barter with my milk (not raw, raw milk doesn't leave this farm - ever). A neighbor milks my cow in the morning when I have early classes (only once or twice a week for a few weeks) and in exchange, she keeps the milk.

Goats are also more prone to predators, they are hard to keep confined. A cow can be kept in her field with 1-3 strands of hotwire. You will need 7 to keep in a goat and her companion - or goat panels, or a combo of field fencing and hotwire (one strand on top, one about 2 feet off the ground).

On the other hand, a lone cow is a lonely cow (in my limited experience). So you're not looking at one, but two cows. Or a cow and a goat

 

[Farmer Kitty]

If you decide on getting a cow, you could let her raise her calf. Sharing the milk with a calf will help with what to do with it all. Just don't wean the calf until after peak production, which peak is usually around 3 months or so.

You can also share it with friends and family but, make sure you know the laws where you are at. Most states it's illegal to sell raw milk except to a plant. Some you can not give it away. Others allow cow shares.

 

[Roll farms]

For me, it all comes down to size. Cows poop big (and messy). Goats don't. Goats win.
There are other reasons, as well...it doesn't hurt nearly as much if they step on you. The kicks cause bruising but no broken bones.
I agree, start w/ a good milk doe, and work up to a cow if you like.

 

[pattyjean73]

Goat milk tastes almost no different than cow milk. IMO it is slightly sweeter but I imagine that depends on what the goat is eating to a point. I love it! My DH and all but one of my 6 kids prefer the goats milk over cow.

 

[freemotion]

Goats are easier to buy and sell, cheaper, and if there is a disaster, the financial impact is not so great. They are more easily transported, and you can muscle them if need be. Plus all of the above. Goats eat far less, and can eat lots of prunings from all your trees and bushes and from the entire neighborhood, too (know what is poisonous first.) They need less room. Better fencing, for sure!!! Smaller housing. Safer around children.....sometimes.....well, the baby kids are, for sure.

I would far rather have cow's milk and cream to do stuff with, but for all the above reasons, I have goats. They are a delight and the milk is wonderful, as is the cheese and yogurt. I have been saving cream for ages (skimming with a spoon, it goes into a container in the freezer) but at this rate, I will never make butter.....I'll use it for special company desserts and to make certain cheeses, like Romano, which calls for cream.

 

[Mamahen]

Thanks so much for your replies everyone

The allergies are to casein. So I would be very nervous to try a cow. Also, I think the price difference ($1,000! each! ) will convince my honey to try goats first, that way if it doesn't work out for any reason it would feel reasonable to let it go.

The size difference is a big deal to me, since I will be the one doing 95% + of the daily work. In fact I was thinking of starting with minis. I definitely want something I can shove around. I love Nubians and would like the higher fat content of the milk.

We house-sat once for a week for a family with a herd of Nubians. So I've had a tiny bit of experience milking goats, none at all with a cow. Not that that necessarily means anything.

The more secure fence is somewhat of an issue if we do a large area. But we have a quarter acre next to a barn (currently in use as storage--we share land with my in-laws and it is FIL's barn) that is well fenced so we'd only need to add one or two strands of hot wire. Unless the owner of the barn doesn't want to share In which case it would take us a while to get an area ready. Which is not a big deal since we want to take it slow and make sure we do not take on too much at once.

Does anyone have a cream separater? Does it work well for you? I would like to be able to make butter etc.

 

[kstaven]

I have used our separator on goats milk and it works great! LOVE goat butter!

We also make a ton of cheese.

 

[Mamahen]

I have used our separator on goats milk and it works great! LOVE goat butter!

We also make a ton of cheese.

Nice

I wondered how well they worked. I dream of homemade cheese

Well, cool. Now my honey and I will have lots more to talk about in the cow/goat discussion. Thanks for all the input everybody