Lets talk about goats!

[cassie]

A question to ad- when you have a buck out in the pasture or pen with the does does it create a gross taste in the milk? I've read that they shouldn't be kept together if you are using them for dairy.

We are in the process of building a giant goat area and are getting some Nigerian dwarfs for dairy in the spring! I've wanted goats for years- very exciting!

Bucks are gross, but contrary to what people think, they don't impart a bad taste to the milk. At least I have never found this to be the case. When I had my dairy I would occasionally run a clean up buck in with the does and the milk was fine. I know other dairies do the same. The only way I can think of that a buck might affect the milk is if you handle the buck and then milk without washing your hands.

That said, there are a number of things that can affect milk flavor. Improper handling of the milk will do it and some plants like wild garlic and wild onion definitely will. If these or other weeds cause a problem just lock the does up a couple hours before milking. Heredity can be a factor, too. Certain lines of Toggenburgs produce undrinkable milk. A doe with mastitis will produce salty milk and certain mineral deficiencies can affect milk flavor.

 

[sannabelle]

Oh

Bucks are gross, but contrary to what people think, they don't impart a bad taste to the milk.  At least I have never found this to be the case.  When I had my dairy I would occasionally run a clean up buck in with the does and the milk was fine.  I know other dairies do the same.  The only way I can think of that a buck might affect the milk is if you handle the buck and then milk without washing your hands.

That said, there are a number of things that can affect milk flavor.  Improper handling of the milk will do it and some plants like wild garlic and wild onion definitely will.  If these or other weeds cause a problem just lock the does up a couple hours before milking. Heredity can be a factor, too.  Certain lines of Toggenburgs produce undrinkable milk. A doe with mastitis will produce salty milk and certain mineral deficiencies can affect milk flavor.

Oh! Thank you!! So...apart from their general grossness are their any down sides to keeping a buck in with the does?

I had always thought they made the milk taste bad so I hadn't considered owning my own. But I would honestly rather have my own than use a stud if they're not a horrible nusience.

 

[moomoodiddy]

That
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That's kind of what I thought, haha. Looks like I'll be finding a goat stud service!

That is what I am currently trying to do also.

 

[GAMarans]

Only down side for us is not knowing when kids might be due ... but since we handle or goats daily we get the warning signs.

 

[sannabelle]

Only down side for us is not knowing when kids might be due ... but since we handle or goats daily we get the warning signs.

We would be doing the same- that's good to know! Would you recommend raising a buckling into a buck yourself?

 

[ApiaryandAviary]

Please don't get ND that the seller disbudded. We have spent Several hundred Per kid cleaning up the mess that grows out bc a seller saved a buck and did it themselves! We had to, bc the horns We're growing back into their heads! They kept saying they did it so they could be shown, not so, all they need to do is blunt the ends with a decorative ball or something.

 

[GAMarans]

We would be doing the same- that's good to know! Would you recommend raising a buckling into a buck yourself?

We have done it both ways ... purchased an adult buck and purchased a buckling and raised it. Both worked out just fine.

Please don't get ND that the seller disbudded. We have spent Several hundred Per kid cleaning up the mess that grows out bc a seller saved a buck and did it themselves! We had to, bc the horns We're growing back into their heads! They kept saying they did it so they could be shown, not so, all they need to do is blunt the ends with a decorative ball or something.

That would depend on the owner and their experience and knowledge. Not every owner should do it themselves but plenty can, should, and do ... and do a great job.

 

[moomoodiddy]

I have seen a lot of posts about disbudding done the wrong way even when done by a vet lately.

 

[ShrekDawg]

Yeah I agree and a lot of vets might not have much goat experience. A reputable breeder who has been breeding for years might know more than a vet fresh out of school or who usually only deals with horses and cows, etc. The term vet doesn't necessarily mean good. And owner doesn't mean bad. BUT. You are probably right that most vets are good and a lot of owners don't know what they're doing. But that's another reason to buy from a reputable breeder and not a BYB or Craigslist deal even though those are cheaper

 

[cassie]

Please don't get ND that the seller disbudded. We have spent Several hundred Per kid cleaning up the mess that grows out bc a seller saved a buck and did it themselves! We had to, bc the horns We're growing back into their heads! They kept saying they did it so they could be shown, not so, all they need to do is blunt the ends with a decorative ball or something.

Just about everyone who breeds goats disbuds the kids themselves. It isn't a difficult skill to learn. If the horn starts to regrow, just disbud again at the first sign of regrowth. Don't wait. The scur will just get bigger and more difficult to deal with. Having a vet do it is expensive and is no guarantee of a good dehorning job. Disbudding and dehorning goats is a lot more difficult than disbudding and dehorning cattle and regrowth is much more common. A vet unfamiliar with goats is unlikely to take this into account.

Nigerians are registered with the American Dairy Goat Association. Under ADGA rules, horns are a disqualification in the show ring. All goats shown must be dehorned or disbudded and large scurs are discriminated against.