best goat to own for milk?

[buckeye chickens]

the dairy breeds are.

Here are the best milk breeds
Alpine
Saanen
Toggeburg

next come
LaMancha
Oberhasli
Nubian

there is also Sable, a black Saanen

 

[ksacres]

Define "best"! You need to outline some specifics, some goals, and go from there.

We raise Nubians and La Manchas. They are the two standard size breeds with the highest *average* butterfat. Individuals of EVERY breed vary, based on lineage, feed, time of year, stage of lactation, etc etc etc.

Saanans and Alpines produce (again ON AVERAGE) the most milk of any breeds. But the butterfat content is much lower.

Nigerian Dwarves have the highest butterfat of the recognized dairy breeds. But you have to be careful here and really do your research to find DAIRY lines. There are many many many breeders of the "pet" kind of Nigi, that won't give you much for the effort of milking.

I think Nigis are cute, but I love my standard girls.

Here's the breakdown of what I'm milking right now, for reference, one gallon of milk weighs 8 pounds:

1 year 1st fresh Nubian, currently producing 3.3#'s per day, has not peaked yet, is just over a week fresh currently

2 year 2nd fresh Nubian, currently producing 7.4 #s per day, peaked at 10.5#'s per day

2 year 2nd fresh La Mancha, currently producing 7.6 #'s per day, peaked at 8.8#'s per day

2 year 2nd fresh La Mancha, currently producing 10.2 #'s per day, peaked at 11.5 #'s per day

2 year 2nd fresh La Mancha, currently producting 9.5 #'s per day, peaked at 10.5 #'s per day

3 year 3rd fresh La Mancha, currently producing 10.6 #'s per day, peaked at 12 #'s per day



Best advice:

Pick a breed you like to LOOK at, and enjoy the temperament of! You will be handling them twice a day for most of the year if you want the milk. It pays to have something you LIKE being around. For us, that's an easy choice, we love the personality (and look) of the La Manchas. They are my favorite breed. The Nubians produce excellent milk and look very regal with their Roman noses and graceful ears.

 

[mekasmom]

I am not fond of nubian milk. It is too rich for my tastes. I love the oberhaslis for their beauty and temperament.
Sanaans are the main goats used in dairys.

 

[MagsC]

I was going to say Saanen as well....but then I might be a little prejudice because they are my favorite larger goat breed.