What age goats to start out with for dairy herd?

[Mini-M Ranch]

My DH and I are trying to assemble us a little dairy herd for our little ranchette. We decided firstly that we should get kids for our human kids to help raise. We wanted them to be very friendly with us, and be with us from the beginning.

However, I have been reading and reading everything I can get my hands on about raising dairy goats, and they suggest starting with first fresheners or senior does who have proven udders because baby doelings can be unpredictable in conformation, etc.

Keeping in mind that these will be our first goats, and I am brand new to milking, what would you do in my situtation? I have found several breeders who are offering adults or freshened does, as well as kids. Just trying to figure out what the best way is to start.

 

[Rockytopsis]

I think I would start with a older proven milker and raise does from her.

 

[mully]

You could get one older goat to milk and raise some kids. This would give you and your family a chance to learn about dairy goats and how to raise them. Your children will love raising the kids and it will connect them with animals.

 

[ohiofarmgirl]

i highly recommend an older milker who knows what she is doing - at least one of you will!

we started with dairy gals this spring and LOVE it - well the milk and milk products. we are so glad that we got a couple of 3 year olds..they kind of helped us along. also if you have a goat who hasnt milked before - she will need to learn what to expect on the stand and there could be a bunch of hopping around, and spilled milk - which does in fact prompt crying.

the things i learned about all of this:

* not everyone is a goat LOVER... i'm a goat liker. not a hater - i just dont see the love. there's a reason people say 'you stubborn old goat!"
* fence fence fence - go directly to electric and save yourself time and money
* hay hay hay - find the best quality hay you can. it really makes a difference!
* invest in a good milking pail (stainless, seamless) and buy the bigger milk strainer
* be the boss goat.

good luck!

 

[freemotion]

I totally agree, get an experienced goat who is an easy milker. Preferably, one who is currently lactating so you can get a milking lesson or two.

I also agree that there will be some tears at first, unless you do the above! I had LOTS of tears and frustration, during the learning process, with no one to help me. But I got through it and now want a second lactating goat. I enjoy milking, and have finally figured out what makes my doe stubborn and how to get her to cooperate....most of the time!

I milk into quart canning jars, since I can hold the jar with one hand and milk with the other, switching hands every cup or two. This has eliminated the spilled milk issue. I can hold the jar right up to the teat and avoid much getting into the milk, too. Yes, a pail would save time, since I could milk with both hands, but it takes me about four minutes to milk 2 quarts, so it would only save me two minutes, and risk spilled milk....with my doe, that would happen. The slightest little infraction on my part, real or imagined, gets her to lift a foot and stomp.

I haven't lost any milk in months.

I use a coffee strainer to strain my milk. Buying the special equipment is nice, but not really necessary if your budget is tight.

It is fun to check out antique shops for old glass milk bottles to store the milk that you will be serving. You can buy big rubber "corks" at the hardware store to fit into the top. I use gallon jars to store milk that I am saving up to make cheese with.

 

[Chirpy]

I totally agree that starting with a proven milker will be highly beneficial to both of you. Having a doe stand quietly on the milk stand/ground while being milked when you are learning to milk makes the learning experience really relaxing for you.

I also agree that you can start without putting a lot of money into it but, having done that... if you have the money I'd highly suggest you invest in the large milk strainer and stainless steel buckets. I used the coffee filters and they do work... but it got old really quickly having to pour such a little amount of milk into the coffee filter and wait for it to drain through. I actually liked using the 'reusable' coffee filter from Walmart over the paper coffee strainers but was really happy when I got the real strainer.

 

[freemotion]

I do use the reusable filter. I use the kind made to make one mug of coffee at a time, and sits right on the mug with a little holder, sold separately, that you don't need to strain milk....I tried it, and it drips slowly for coffee, too slow to strain milk.

So I just use the filter part, it fits perfectly on most of my gallon jars and I hold it over the ones it doesn't fit on. I will also strain right into an antique milk bottle using a standard kitchen funnel. It is just about as fast as pouring the milk, and from the canning jars, it is very easy and fast. Quick to clean up, too, just rinse with lukewarm water (hot sets the proteins and cold sets the fats, clogging the filter) and then I bleach it before I go out to milk, using 1/2 Tbsp clorox in a cup of water, just pour it over the filter and shake it off, set it to dry on a clean towel while I am doing chores. The jars can go right into the dishwasher.

So if you can get a strainer, great, but you really can get by without one if you are just milking one or two....or three goats. Yup, I can see that happening here one day soon! It is addictive! Watch out!

The way I look at it, and the way I can justify it to dh, is the money saved on equipment can buy another goat!

 

[Mini-M Ranch]

Ok...anybody know where I can get a proven milker in milk right now?

preferably a mini-nubian or nigerian? :/

 

[Griffin's Ark]

Ok...anybody know where I can get a proven milker in milk right now?

preferably a mini-nubian or nigerian? :/

If you would have left out the mini part I would have said yes. We have all full size goats right now. And way way to many. Last Friday we rescued 3 adult boers in the morning and then 7 dairy mixes in the afternoon (4 kids and 3 adults). I got some 50/50 Kiko Saanen that I want to add Nubian to. The Kiko and Saanen's are really hardy animals and some of these girls have great udders. Only one was in milk and it is a challenge to train her to give it up. We have 3 good milkers and if you are up for a drive you could come here and learn to milk in an afternoon. My DW won't give up our single mini milker and she has a great udder. She also has a kid on her right now and we are hoping for a good udder from her. I do have a dairy starter set though! Kiko/Saanen Doeling with a Nubian Buckling... You wouldn't be able to leave without them! A bottle fed Nubian would suck you right into the dairy world! I am not an enabler.... I am not an enabler....



Chris

 

[Mini-M Ranch]

Oh dear...it all does sound tempting...

Unfortunately, I only have a 4 foot tall chain link fence and IF I add more height to the fence, I'll have no money for goats!

I don't think the neighbors would appreciate a big ol' goat nibblin' her prized silk flowers that she has planted in her flowerbed, no matter how much fudge I gave her.

And, yes, that's right...silk flowers in the flowerbed.