Milk Goat Breed Question

[lovinglife]

My husband has been wanting a goat for some time, finally decided it would be a good idea. I had milk goats in the past and loved them, but I am not sure which breed I want. Can you all give me what breed you have and if you think they are the best and why, taste, personality, size...etc.... I am just tickled to be getting a milk goat (or two...) again and have decided I can find time to do the milking.

 

[animalmom]

I have Dwarf Nigerians and they are the perfect sized dairy goat for me. There are just the two of us and right now I'm milking just one of the does and I still get plenty of milk for daily use plus cheese plus yogurt. This particular doe gives me 6-7 cups daily split between two milkings. This breed is easy for me to handle as they are small. All goats have great personalities and worm their way into your heart on "meh" or tail wag at a time. The small breeds also take up less room... if that is important to you.

All goats are wonderful. Your decision will depend on what you really want: milk, cheese, yogurt, soap? How many consumers in your family... if you have a family with children you may want something that gives you more than 6-7 cups a day... what a great excuse (as if you need an excuse) for more goats!

I love my small goaties.

 

[lovinglife]

I had them once before and you are right, they are so cute, the kids are so comical to watch (unless they are sliding off your car!!). I need enough to make my yogurt, cheese, kefir and drink. My friends want to share the bounty with me as they will be helping me when I need to be out of town. JUST CAN'T WAIT! I have wondered how the DN did, I hear they have really good creamy milk.

 

[Southern by choice]

I have ND's have had 1 kid but we are letting mom dry up for now. Spring I will have a bunch of kids and will milk then. Look for good teats and a good udder! If you need serious milk production then you may want to look at some top milking lines, but expect to pay for them! I like the smaller goats. Easy, eat less, pet like. The nubians and alpines are beautiful animals but too big and high strung for me. In fairness, because I am not into breed bashing, I have not been around many. I would think many people on this forum have had very different experiences.

I do intend on milking my farm partners Kiko meat goats after they kid and start to wean. Kiko's are meat goats but are great milkers!

BTW- I also have 1 lamancha, love the little brat, I got her for larger milk production. She is only 8 1/2 months now. I will be crossing her with my ND buck for mini manchas. Hopefully smaller goats with greater milk output. We'll see.

 

[mama24]

My Saanen mix is my favorite goat. She gives over a gallon a day while in milk, and has a very calm sweet personality. She's not overly friendly, but she's very agreeable and will do whatever you want once she understand what you're trying to get her to do. Saanen's are very large. Her milk also tastes just like cow's milk, which definitely isn't the case with all goat breeds.

 

[Catahoula]

Sounds like you would want a lot of milk for all the things you want to make. The smaller breeds are nice...especially with limited space. The larger breeds gives you more milk. On average, it could take 3 ND to equal to 1 Saanen or 1 Alpine for milk. A bigger breed will eat more but not sure if they would eat 3 times the amount of the minis. ND has the most fat in their milk. Some claim different breeds give different flavor milk and milk from two of the same breed may not taste the same either. What you feed the doe can alter the taste of milk. Some people even try the taste of the milk before buying the doe. Personally I like the bigger breeds...just like I like big dogs over small ones. I think in general, goats are fun to have...like keeping dogs. Each goats has their own personality. Some breed may have common characteristic...ie, I think most people would agree that Nubian has the most obnoxious and loud voice when they want something. Have fun researching and shopping for your goats.

 

[breezy B ranch]

We have 1 Alpine she gives a gallon per day but her personality is not very friendly (to us or the other goats) and she is stubborn! Next we have a Saanen who gives a gallon per day also and is very sweet and loving. She seems a bit "slow" shall we say and likes to stop and smell the roses lol but is a great goat and her milk is great tasting. Last but not least we have a Nubian who gives a little less than a gal a day. She is also very loving and will do anything for you (especially my husband lol). I don't think I would get another Alpine just because ours has been a handful and is very dominant and beats the crap out of everyone. Nothing we have done has helped the situation so she is in her own pen with our Nigerian wether who she seems to think is her kid. That's just my opinion. I do not mean to offend anyone with Alpines!

 

[Southern by choice]

I love my ND's but if you really want/need a lot of milk go with a larger milk goat!

@Mama- you have me very interested in the saanen!

 

[lovinglife]

I am looking at a nubian and a angora nubian cross, will plan on milking them both next spring, they are being exposed to the buck until January. OH MY GOSH, I am getting pretty excited. The lady is going to send me some pictures this weekend. These goats come from a great milking line, all disease free, she will not let any goats on her property. Keeping a clean herd is top priority for her. she is will to work with me on price and such. Was up at 4:30 this morning, wide awake thinking, yep I would have plenty of time to go milk a couple goats before work.... I was really only interested in the nubian, but because I don't have any other goats she will sell me the little cross cheap, she will probably be my favorite. Cant wait to see the recent pictures this weekend!!

 

[Roll farms]