What is the best goat to get for milking?
Question by VarmintHunter07: What is the best goat to get for milking?
I would like to get a goat for milking. I have an acre, so it can’t be too noisy. I am prepared to get a pair so one is not lonely. What is the best breed?
More precisely, my question is: what is the best BREED of goat to get for milking?
… oh, and yes, I know enough about goats (and mammals in general) to get a doe (not a billy) goat for milking.
What do you think? Answer below!
6 Responses to What is the best goat to get for milking?
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a female goat
Peter L
September 23, 2013 at 4:45 am
Add to the above:
Nubian goats tend to be the best milkers as well as have the best temperaments.
enn
September 23, 2013 at 5:25 am
You should get a billy goat. You can milk one of those about once per day. Sometimes you have to tug on the udder several times, but the milk will come out eventually. I suggest wearing saferty glass though.
Aaron M
September 23, 2013 at 5:42 am
Nubians are probably the top producers. They are, however, loud and often have attitude. I used to raise Toggenburgs, and one of my Togg’s would milk over 5 gallons a day. They produce more with every pregnancy.
LexyChloe
September 23, 2013 at 6:40 am
and just remember, the animal has to be pregnant first before it starts to produce milk.
ALM
September 23, 2013 at 7:12 am
I would recommend alpines, lamanchas, toggenburgs or saanens. Oberhaslis are good goats, but without spending a lot of money, it’s difficult to get high quality animals. I would not recommend nubians. They are loud, and they don’t produce the most milk (They’re milk has the most butterfat, cream). Saanens are typically the highest producers. Nubians also have lots of structural problems (poor backs, and poor udder attachment– these faults can lead to health problems). Saanens are hardy, lamanchas are the most quiet. So, my recommendation would be to research breeders in your area and pick a breed based on the highest quality animal you can get (ex: if you have an outstanding togg breeder next door, get toggs!). The quality and personality of the individual animal really matters more then it’s breed. Look at some goat websites (start w/ the national show winners at http://www.adga.org)– this is what a goat should look like. Look at the udder and how it’s held close to the body and not pendoulus. Expect to spend some money ($ 200-500 depending on location). And realize that you get what you pay for…. a cheap goat will cost you later in health problems. I have found that the initial investment in the animal is small potatoes compared to feed and equipment, so don’t skimp. Good Luck!
Leslie W
September 23, 2013 at 7:42 am