Dairy goats

[Smoky73]

I personally say do it.

I have Toggenburgs (Dairy as well) and Boers. The Toggenburgs are extremely noisy goats with their screaming. The Boers are not. I swear when I had to milk the Togg one year to bottle feed a baby, (I hate milking) I could easily get 36 oz out of her in a try. It was a large coffee can full. I was tired. Did I mention I hate milking?

 

[jBlaze]

Pretty is not everything. Temperment is important. You are selecting a being that you will have a relationship whith.
I have spent enough time with most breeds and have formed my own opinions of then. There are generalities in breed, and i know that there are exceptions to those generalities.

Nubians are loving and pretty, they are also loud and needy (and in my experience dumber than many - and yes I raised MANY).
Alpines are intelegent and can be bossy.
Saanens are very mild mannered and calm.
Lamanchas are intelegent, quiet, sweet, and in my experience get into way less trouble than the alpines or nubians.
Obers are sweet and mild mannered, and Togs I don't have as much experience with, the ones we did have were snooty.

My favorites are teh lamanchas for sure. It takes some getting used to the earless thing, but once you get to know them, then you understand why people keep them. My dh thought they were the most evil looking things and that the nubians were so pretty. With in a few months his opinions of them are vastly different. We sold the nubians and keep the munchies.

My other favorites are mutts! I love a good cross breed!!

When you get goats, look at the temperment of the animals, then, conformation of the animal, and it's traits, such as hardiness, disease resistance, ease of birthing, etc. This is where you get into reputable breeders verses those that have goats. Decide whether or not you want to deal with horns, if you don't want them then know how to get them disbudded before you breed a doe!
For a family milker, you want a doe with easy to milk teats and openings, good udder attachments, and good feet and legs and one that can birth easily. Those are your essential items. Milkers can be found usually between February and August.

 

[greyfields]

Quote:
A Nubian X Alpine is one you pretty commonly see. They'll have stubby legs and be wider and it seems you either get shorter Nubian ears, or the prick Alpine ears. The crossing will not decrease milk production and if anything would increase it.

The issue of selling the offspring is the problem here. There is no market for crossbred does for goat breeders and millkers (if they want crossbreeds, they'd do it themselves). So, that leaves you the auction as your likely customer. A crossbred goat will go for around $115 where I am, with wethers getting slightly more per head. So basically what you want to breed for, then, is carcass weight as you'll be getting paid on a per/lb basis.

 

[greyfields]

Quote:
I dislike nothing about their performance or temper, they just make my eyes bleed to look at!

I have this theory that all these people who claimed to be abducted by aliens at night? Really, La Mancha goats are just sneaking into their bedrooms and looming over them.

 

[Sebrightmom]

I LOVE my Nubians. I raised Nubians in my 4-H days. They were great goats. I didn't milk them then. Now, I have two Nubians. I love them. One of mine is noisy, but the other one is not. They both are very loving. They are smart animals. I like the other dairy breeds, but I will stay with my Nubians. I think every goat is different just like people. My noisy nanny is about to kid. So, she is being more needy, but she is a good girl and doesn't get too pushy. I think you should try to go to different farms and interact with some different breeds to see which ones you like best. Most breeders love showing off their animals.

 

[hcammack]

I love toggenburgs and I can't believe people don't like milking I think its the most relaxing way to start and finish up your work of school day. I WANT GOATS !!! my family will not let me get any. If I did get any they would be Togg does from Cherry Glen Farm. I like the bossy and smart ass aspect about them and I don't like the needy nubians.

GET SOME GOATS !!!
Henry

 

[Nubiansrus]

Nubians are my favorite... La manchas we have as well. Then I have one alpine, one nig. dwarf and two gypmys... cause we take in rescue goats we have the other breeds besides la mancha and Nubians. They seem to have the best temper... and we have four kids. I also think they are to cute with those long ears. La manchas grown on you... first saw them laughed at how funny they were... now I own about 10 of them and thinking of getting a La mancha stud. We already have a Nubian stud and about 15 nubian does.

 

[Chirpy]

I think this thread has really shown that each goat breed can have very different personalities in that breed.

My friend who has LaManchas and Nubians would pick the Nubians over the LaManchas because her Manchas were constantly jumping over her fencing (some of which is 5 ft. high). She got tired of the battles and sold them off. Other Manchas wouldn't dream of jumping a 3 ft. fence.

Goats are like dogs.... different personalities in the same breeds. That's why you need to pick the breed that appeals to you in looks, temperament, size, and milk production; or whatever you are wanting them for.

Have fun making up your mind and getting your goats.