Milk Goat

[VickieB]

We are considering getting some Alpine milk goats. I have an opportunity to get a 5 year old adult milk goat now, but I've been told that that is getting towards the end of their milk production years. Is that correct information and should we look for a younger goat?

 

[rebelINny]

Well she may not produce as much as a 2nd freshener but she is by no means not going to produce much simply because of her age. You first should make sure of her milk lines. How much did her dam produce at peak? How much did her sire's dam produce at peak? If she is from good milk lines she should be fine. I have a doe that is over 6 years old that is Alpine from awesome lines and she still gives me 3/4 gallon a day.

 

[OneFineAcre]

5 years is not towards the end of a normal goats productive years. In fact, many freshen to 10-12 years.

 

[taylorm17]

All great info. She should still produce a fair amount of milk. Like OneFineAcre said, most dairy will freshen up to 10

 

[OneFineAcre]

I wrote my reply before I left the office. Try to check BYH at the end of my day

But, I thought about something on the way home.

You said you had an opportunity to get a 5 year old Alpine. What are the circumstances? The reason I ask is that even though they can be productive to 10 or 12, some start to have issues as they age. I guess what I'm saying is make sure she isn't someones "cull".

I read a poster on here once who was a pretty serious dairy goat breeder and they said that they culled a goat when she had trouble kidding twice. Some start to have issues with Mastitis.

I would be extra diligent buying an older goat.

And, the big question is "how much does she cost'?

 

[taylorm17]

I wrote my reply before I left the office. Try to check BYH at the end of my day

But, I thought about something on the way home.

You said you had an opportunity to get a 5 year old Alpine. What are the circumstances? The reason I ask is that even though they can be productive to 10 or 12, some start to have issues as they age. I guess what I'm saying is make sure she isn't someones "cull".

I read a poster on here once who was a pretty serious dairy goat breeder and they said that they culled a goat when she had trouble kidding twice. Some start to have issues with Mastitis.

I would be extra diligent buying an older goat.

And, the big question is "how much does she cost'?

great one again OFA!!! just make sure your aren't buying a bad goat especially for a bad price! Do you have pics of her? I would love to see her.

 

[OneFineAcre]

great one again OFA!!! just make sure your aren't buying a bad goat especially for a bad price! Do you have pics of her? I would love to see her.

Taylorm17
I'm getting a buckling from a farm south of Columbus around the end of April.

OFA travels wide and far in search of new talent!!

Are you close to there?

 

[taylorm17]

I live a little over an hour from Columbus. DO they have a website or something I could look at?

 

[OneFineAcre]

Sent you a PM.

 

[VickieB]

After doing some reading online I'm finding the same thing everyone has said here. The goat does come from a good line and has produced very well up to this point. My daughter is the one actually wanting the goat, and her husband had done a little reading online and he wanted her to get a younger goat because he'd read that 5 years was about as long as they produced milk. I didn't think that info was right, but because they're getting the goat from another family member I didn't want hurt feelings if there had been a problem later. Thank y'all for all the input! (We're looking forward to some milk soon!)