Sheep Milk?

[mikayladawn]

I have a nice little herd of our Nigerian Dwarf goats and we have a few hamp/Suffolk sheep that will be bred this fall. I certainly have the time, so could I milk a sheep? Is it worth it? How much milk can they produce? What does it taste like? Would it be good for cheese? Is milking a sheep in any way shape or form like milking a goat? ~Thanks!

 

[BrownSheep]

You certainly could. The milk I've tasted sweeter than cows milk. It's excellent for cheese making. It's just like milking a goat. Trust me, if I can do it, you can do it.

However, a Suffolk hamp x wont produce very much. They aren't really known for their milk production. Breeds like Lacune and East Friesian are more commonly known as dairy breeds.

If you do feel like expanding in to heavier producing animals that still produce meat I would suggest Dorsets or Polypays.

 

[michickenwrangler]

Icelandics also give decent milk.

Sheep milk is higher in butterfat than cow or goat. It is traditionally used for roquefort and manchego cheeses and can be used for feta, romano and cacciota.

 

[mikayladawn]

These sheep are technically some high quality club market ewes, but I want to know what sheep milk tastes like... considering their breed to you think that they would produce more than my Nigerians? Oh, and does the milk have that goaty taste? I really like goats milk, so I was just wondering how sheep would compare.

 

[BrownSheep]

I would say they produce at least as much.
Here's a link with some infor on the milk and different breeds including Suffolk.
http://www.ansci.wisc.edu/extension...rger Breeds of sheep editted 9-26-04 Proc.pdf

Yeah, I figured they were club ewes when you said Suffolk Hamps. Pretty sheep, not my favorites but nice to look at all the same. I have a couple.