I am getting milk goats!

[bock]

Yeah, a few breeders were selling nigerian dwarf does for $300 a piece. It just sounded a bit steep.

Now I am looking more into Nubians because we have a coyote problem around here, and losing a goat that way would be horrible. The nigerians are pretty small, only about 70lbs. At least a nubian would be more near 130ish. I am also starting to here more about ACE and such. Lots to think about for sure!

 

[Skyesrocket]

It sounds like you are going about getting goats the right way...Good for You! You will have a better experience because of the research.
Everyone seems to have their personal preferences in goats. I like the Lamancha personality the best. Many people dislike them because the ears are so small. I have Nigerian Dwarfs. We had three babies born so far this year. They are really cute but you need to keep in mind that the smaller the goat the harder it can be to keep them fenced in. It's amazing what small spaces they can slide through. With Nigerians you also need to find lines bred for milking and not just for pets. Otherwise the teats could be too small and make milking difficult.
I love the looks of the Nubian but they can be very loud. Probably the best thing to do is what you are already doing...research. Then go out and look at different diary breeds and talk to the owners. Having a vet with goats as a neighbor should really be helpful. She will know what mineral supplements your goats might need. Here it is selenium.
Keep us updated! Good Luck!

 

[bock]

Sooo...I asked my advisor (who is the lamb leader), and she said that she would also be the leader for goats. She didn't really elaborate, but said there should be a meeting in March. She said she would have to ask if they were allowing dairy goats in the fair this year, but I have always seen them there in the past. I guess in the meantime I will just research, research, and research some more! I ordered the Storey's Guide to Raising Milk Goats off of ebay, so it should be here in the next week or two. I still have a lot of questions for her though. I am really tempted to buy my own goats from a breeder, and maybe do a lamb for FFA. But that's pushing it, so we'll see.

One thing I'm wondering, can you leave a doe with her kids and milk her at the same time? Or do you have to take the kids away? I can't seem to find the answer to that question anywhere. Thanks for all the advice!

 

[mama24]

I'm planning on letting my does nurse their kids, even if it means I get a little less milk. I only want enough for my family anyway. If they don't give me enough that way, I was told you can pen the baby/babies separately overnight and then milk and let them be together all day, that way you get more milk, but you don't have to bottlefeed the baby.

 

[bock]

Ok, good! I didn't want the kids to miss out on all the goodness of mama's milk, plus it seems kind of mean to take her kids after so many months of pregnancy. Besides, I think I will really be the only one drinking it, unless I can get the rest of the family hooked! I bought some goat milk from the store today, I loved it, my mom gagged, my sister said it was ok, and my dad has yet to try it. I think the biggest thing is that "goaty" aftertaste....kind of similar to how bucks smell. But I eat a lot of weird health foods that my family can't stand, so maybe I just have a higher tolerance. I have read that feed has a big influence on taste, does anyone notice if that's true?

 

[mama24]

Fresh goats milk tastes nothing like the stuff from the store. It's way less "goaty"

 

[Redyre Rotties]

The fresh goats milk I have tasted was indistinguishable from cow's milk. Perhaps slightly richer, but very delicious, with no odor or strong taste whatsoever.

 

[Stacykins]

Ok, good! I didn't want the kids to miss out on all the goodness of mama's milk, plus it seems kind of mean to take her kids after so many months of pregnancy. Besides, I think I will really be the only one drinking it, unless I can get the rest of the family hooked! I bought some goat milk from the store today, I loved it, my mom gagged, my sister said it was ok, and my dad has yet to try it. I think the biggest thing is that "goaty" aftertaste....kind of similar to how bucks smell. But I eat a lot of weird health foods that my family can't stand, so maybe I just have a higher tolerance. I have read that feed has a big influence on taste, does anyone notice if that's true?

Goats milk from stores almost tastes exactly how an adult buck smells (it is true! The taste is the smell!). That very strong 'goatness' about it. But they are right, fresh goats milk tastes lovely and sweet! And it is naturally homogenized, unlike cows milk. That can mean making butter from goats milk is a pain, but it makes for a wonderful milk to drink!

 

[bock]

That's great! I will be sure to tell my mom that. LOL Goat yogurt that I have tried was horribly goaty....but I still ate it.

 

[zzGypsy]

Quote:

That's great! I will be sure to tell my mom that. LOL Goat yogurt that I have tried was horribly goaty....but I still ate it.

we make goat yogurt all the time and it's not at all goaty... it tends to be a bit thinner than the yogurt we're used to, but there are some tactics to make it thicker. we make it with a tiny bit of rennet to thicken it, and then drain it to make turkish style - almost as thick as cream cheese. yum! especially topped with local honey!

goat's milk that is goaty is generally 1) not fresh enough (ours smells and tastes goaty the day before it totally turns bad) 2) from goats that are kept with the buck too close by (although we haven't had trouble with this, some folks say if you keep the does near the buck, the milk will pick up his smell) 3) commercial goat milk Yuck.