Devonviolet
Herd Master
- Joined
- Nov 22, 2014
- Messages
- 3,402
- Reaction score
- 8,170
- Points
- 513
- Location
- East Texas - Near Sulphur Springs
We are new to hobby farming. We know we want to have dairy goats, for milk, butter, making cheese, as well as soaps and lotions.
We are already pretty sure we don't want a full size dairy goat, because the higher milk volumes would be too much for our needs. After reading a couple highly recommended book, on raising dairy goats, and reading the descriptions of dairy goats, we had pretty much decided on the Nigerian Dwarf goats, because they produce less milk and have exceptionally high butterfat of 6.7%.
Then I found BYH, and started learning about the Mini Breeds, which weren't mentioned in the books we read. I am definitely interested in the Mini's because they produce more milk than the NDs, and less than regular or standard Dairy breeds - although the butterfat appears to be less. How much less? I'm not sure, because I can't find anything online, that tells me butterfat content of these breeds.
I'm interested in hearing some thoughts on the pluses and minuses of the different mini breeds, including:
Personalities
Ability to be dual purpose - or not
Milk production and ease of milking
Butterfat content
Health issues
Ease of kidding
As well as cold/heat tolerance
We are in East Texas, where the temps can stay 100°+ for a week or more at a
time, but can also get below freezing in Winter months.
We are already pretty sure we don't want a full size dairy goat, because the higher milk volumes would be too much for our needs. After reading a couple highly recommended book, on raising dairy goats, and reading the descriptions of dairy goats, we had pretty much decided on the Nigerian Dwarf goats, because they produce less milk and have exceptionally high butterfat of 6.7%.
Then I found BYH, and started learning about the Mini Breeds, which weren't mentioned in the books we read. I am definitely interested in the Mini's because they produce more milk than the NDs, and less than regular or standard Dairy breeds - although the butterfat appears to be less. How much less? I'm not sure, because I can't find anything online, that tells me butterfat content of these breeds.
I'm interested in hearing some thoughts on the pluses and minuses of the different mini breeds, including:
Personalities
Ability to be dual purpose - or not
Milk production and ease of milking
Butterfat content
Health issues
Ease of kidding
As well as cold/heat tolerance
We are in East Texas, where the temps can stay 100°+ for a week or more at a
time, but can also get below freezing in Winter months.