Questions about goats...

[TanksHill]

This is a great thread. Can I as a question. How often do you need to breed a Doe in order to "Freshen" her milk supply? I hadn't taken that into consideration. I was planning a doe and weather. That kinda leaves me wondering what I should do. thanks

 

[Chatychick]

My large does freshen each year and mine only kid 1 time a year. You dont want to overbreed them as it tends to wear them out. I breed my Nigi's also to kid once a year also...You can stagger out the breedings with the Nigis so you have milk all year long.

 

[MissPrissy]

I have big goats. My largest does are easy 150 - 175. They are not purebred. They are mutts. They are saanan x nubian. My herd queen milks out 2 gallons a day. The 2nd doe milks out 1.5 - 2 gallons a day.

I wouldn't bother with a goat that doesn't give me more than a quart at a time.

If you really want a goat, if you want one that will justify the amount of hay and feed and extras they eat, one that will justify the care and groom and shots and worming, one that justifies the expense of a sound fence and a good shelter - put your money in a sound milker.

Purebred doesn't mean the best milkers. I'll put my does against any purebred and you won't find better milkers.

$150 might sound like a lot but you will be glad you put that money into her if you really want milk and milk products to supplement your family table.

No one has enough money to take my herd queen. To me she is priceless.

Some of my other does I wouldn't sell for under $150. They are good milkers and worth the effort I put into them. They are not purebreds and worth every penny of their asking price.

 

[TanksHill]

How much milk per day does your queen give you? What do you use it all for? Cheese, butter etc... ???? Is it hard to keep up with her? Just wondering.

 

[MissPrissy]

Quote:
Are you asking me?

My herd queen milks 2 gallons a day.

I use it for all sorts of things -

- feeding any baby animal that needs a bottle - puppies, other people's goats, lambs etc.

- making goat milk soap.

- I make cheese, yogurt, sour cream, cottage cheese, cream cheese, ice cream, buttermilk, kefir, milk for drinking, for cooking,etc.

Yes, sometimes it is hard to use it all up. Left over milk goes to my pigs or chickens. I even give it away.

I milk twice a day. It is a chore and commitment I made to my goats when i brought them home.

 

[TanksHill]

MissPrissy, thank you for the information. I don't honestly think I could use that much milk. let alone have time to milk twice a day. Good for you.

 

[MissPrissy]

Goats used for milk production are a commitment. If you can't meet their needs I hope you won't get them. There are many other great goats and you don't have to have goats in milk to enjoy them.

 

[hollyk]

Quote:
Miss Prissy is so right. I love my goats- 4-boer, 1- Saanen, 1- fainting goat (meat goat). I enjoy watching them all. The majority of our goats were bought as bottle babies. It was an inexpensive way to start our herd and my children loved feeding the babies. Bottle babies require a lot of effort and attention, but no more than milking. My Saanen is not old enough to breed, but I plan to and to milk her. She was also a bottle baby, I thought starting this way she would like to see me coming. She does, but it is a long wait to get milk.

I would spend the money and get one already milking. But, get proof! I did not ask enough questions on some of our early purchases. If you are paying for one who is bred- get proof! Someone who keeps good records and can show you when she was bred would be a good source, or get a sonogram. We have had the frustration of buying a goat who was supposed to be pregnant and wasn't. Even if I have to pay for the sono, it would be worth it for me.

Check our Fias Co Farm for some really great info on milking and goat care

 

[CrimsonRose]

Wow thanks so much for the info... I agree I'm willing to fork out the dough for a goat that would milk over a gallon a day... but after a couple of months of searching I can't seem to find any close to where I live... All the mutts I keep referring to are a milking goat crossed with a boar... So they are lucky to milk a quart a day and most haven't even been bred or milked... I can't justify paying too much for one of those when I don't have a clue about the milking quality or quantity... That's why I thought if I have to settle for a low quantity milker I wondered if I could get a couple of cheap pygmy until spring when I could add some real milkers to the herd... pygmy goats are really cheap and pretty easy to find around here... I don't think anyone around here milks goats! Most people that raise animals for milk have a cow...

I didn't really mean I would only settle for a purebred I just meant I wanted a goat that was bred to milk... LOL Man I wish Va wasn't so far and I would be down there in a heartbeat buying a herd of goats off of you Miss Prissy... But I checked and it's about a 7 hour drive to your house...

So after all this advice I think I will just wait till spring

I know people come from hundreds of miles to our swap days so I'm sure to find something there...

They had several good choices last year but hubby just thought I was crazy...

A couple of quick questions... What is the space requirements for a larger goat? (indoors and pasture) in our case I'm going to fence in part of our woods so it has lots of wild rose bushes to munch on... And also I plan on getting a buck as well and I've been told to keep him away from the milkers... But just how far away? Can I put him up a little shelter on the opposite side of the fence where I keep the gals? And would he be ok alone in his little shelter as long as he could socialize with the gals across the fence or would I have to get him a buddy as well? And does his buddy have to be another goat or could I put him with our dog or build him a place with the chickens?

We are planning on building a barn next year and I'm trying to space it all out and figure out where I want everything...

 

[Madfarmer]

You need to learn a LOT in order to be successful with goats. BEFORE you bring one home. Visit dairygoatinfo.com, read books, find a reputable, professional breeder & get aquainted. If your not willing to milk twice a day, forget it.

Madfarmer