Dairy goats!

[MetalRoseHomestead]

Let's talk Dairy goats! I've been out of the dairy goat world for years and just got back in by buying a Nubian last year and now I have her, a Nigerian Dwarf doe, and a Nigerian Dwarf buck. And expecting babies in about 2-3 months.

I need to relearn a lot. lol. For now I'm going to be milking by hand, but I'd love suggestions on milk machines. I don't need or want anything huge, just something that works well and isn't horribly complicated. Where's the best place to get supplies now? I need to get a new stainless steel milk pan, udder balm, and anything else that I can't seem to remember right this second. lol. I'm so happy to have goats again, after horses they are my favorite animals.

 

[MetalRoseHomestead]

Also what do you like to feed? Trying to decide the best feeding plan for while they're in milk.

 

[cassie]

Get a catalog from Caprine Supply. They should have everything you need. caprinesupply.com

 

[lindy]

YAY for more goats!
i just finally broke down and bought a milk machine after years... i can no longer hand milk and it wasnt so much fun to even hand milk when the does were drying off. I bought the simple pulse. lowest priced BEST milk machine in my opinion. My nigerians are milk goats, the teats are very important not to have a good machine. I milk in the evening after work and i separate kids at around 3-4 weeks during the day and the does go back with them during the night. It takes a bit to get your girls used to the machine but i get over a gal a day and that is just milking them down so they are not full. A couple kids are leaving in the next few days so we shall see if i need to change too 2x a day for awhile.
I am still figuring out feed. They get alfalfa-orchard hay free choice and i am now using hay maker pellet, its a roughage pellet( alfalfa, rice bran, beet pulp, flax and canola oil) i do not like the purina feed at the store, too much sugar. I havent found anything better yet. i also feed a bit of BOSS and oats along with the sweet lix meat maker mineral, copper bolus 3 x a year and selnium crumble. Plus other things
I am just using bag balm right now if the doe is a bit rough or scratches on her mammary after milking. Some people soap/water the teats before milking, othersj ust brush it off. I use Clorox dine-water spray