When do Pygmies start producing milk?

[MrsCowher]

I have a woman coming over tomorrow because she's wanting to buy my adult Pygmy and possibly a baby I have for sale. She's wanting them so she can milk them.

I want to be able to tell her tomorrow when the baby will start producing milk. Thoughts?

 

[marlowmanor]

The baby would start producing milk after she is bred and has a kid. I think the earliest age for breeding would be about 9 months old, then you'd have 5 months to wait for the doe to have a kid(s), then some people wait a week or 2 to start milking does so the kids get the colostrum they need and a good start on mom's milk. So depending on the age of the kid you have an idea when she'd be producing milk herself.

 

[ksalvagno]

I wouldn't be breeding the baby till she is at least a year old. Then she is pregnant for 5 months and then nurses her kids for at least 2 months. Goats or anything else don't produce milk until after they have given birth.

 

[AdoptAPitBull]

I'd say if she doesn't know when a goat comes into milk, and she thinks a pygmy is a dairy goat, you're better off not selling a goat to her because she doesn't know anything about goats.

 

[Southern by choice]

You may not want to make the sale, however this is a wonderful opportunity to help educate her. Suggest some websites, reading material and encourage her to take some time to learn before she just jumps in. I would ask her, gently not accusatory, about her experience with animals in general. Explain the difference of types of goats, fencing, worms, feed etc.

Sometimes "overloading" with info will cause the person to realize, all on their own, they are probably not ready and should take a bit a time to learn more about what it is they are trying to accomplish.

Promote the goat!!!

*There are also different ethnic holidays coming up and so there is a large demand for goats right now. There are some people who are not up front about the true intent of their purchase. If you can't bare the thought of one of your goats being eaten, try recommending a meat goat provider. We have people stop by when they see the nigerians and I have to tell them they are dairy goats and don't make for good eating but meat goats will be available in the spring. I will be better prepared for next year!