Selecting the Best Dairy Goat Breeds - Backyard Goats (2024)

FAQs

Selecting the Best Dairy Goat Breeds - Backyard Goats? ›

Nubians and Nigerian Dwarfs typically have the mildest, sweetest and highest butterfat milk, with Nigerians being the highest in fat and sweetest of all. Swiss breeds such as Toggenburgs, Saanens, and Alpines typically have lower butterfat milks that tend to be a bit more “goaty” or musky.

Nubians produce the highest butterfat content of the large dairy breeds. We've raised both Alpines and Nubians and I prefer the flavor of Nubian milk, which is sweeter and richer. Nubians, though large, are an uppity, high-energy breed.

Look for short, strong pasterns, not ones that are broken and weak. Does with these positive structural traits should be productive does; they will have the strength to withstand the rigors of heavy milking and strenuous kid bearing for many years. Dairy character is also important.

Toggenburg goats are recognized for their calm and gentle nature, making them easy to handle for farmers of all experience levels. Their ability to thrive in challenging conditions and their excellent milk production make them an asset to both traditional and modern dairy farming.

The Saanen (Figure 1) is widely recognized as the world's best developed and highest milk-producing breed. It has been called and compared among goat breeds to the Holstein Friesian dairy cattle breed, because of their high level of daily milk yield and relatively low level of milk fat content.

Kiko goat characteristics

The Kiko breed was developed to be a low input goat. They are easy keepers, require very little extra maintenance as they tend to be more parasite resistant, hearty, and have fewer hoof issues. Kikos tend to have strong maternal instincts, and good milk production for raising kids.

Sannen goat is the queen of Dairy goat, it gives around 2.5 liters of milk in a day.

What the judge looks for in the female dairy goat: A strong attached udder that is elastic and well balanced with adequate capacity to allow for heavy milk production over a long period of time. A relatively large body in proportion to the animal's size, age, and stage of milk production.

General Dairy Goat

FF - First Freshener. 2nd Gen - A second generation or F2 animal. F1, F2, F3, etc. - Indicates the number of generations away from foundation animals (F = Foundation) Experimental - An animal registered in the Experimental Herdbook.

Take a closer look for any sign of injury, feel the coat and make sure the eyes are clear and bright. Some signs of ill health can be thin body, swollen knees, abscesses, rough coat condition or limping. Other things that are important to ask the breeder are the basics: breed, age, sex, size/weight, etc.

What are the low maintenance dairy goats? ›

Kiko goats are also known for being a low maintenance breed.

An Oberhasli goat tends to be less noisy than most of the other dairy goat breeds as a whole. Another quiet goat breed is the Angora goat. A scapegoat.

Saanen. Saanen goats are the largest breed of dairy goat, and are second in milk production only to Alpine goats. These popular goats have short, white hair and upright ears, and are known for their easy-going temperament.

Proponents of raw goat milk suggest that it's easier to digest and offers health benefits that processed milks do not. It has become a bit of a controversial topic in the health food world. However, raw milk poses food safety concerns, and government health organizations suggest avoiding it.

Nubians and Nigerian Dwarfs typically have the mildest, sweetest and highest butterfat milk, with Nigerians being the highest in fat and sweetest of all. Swiss breeds such as Toggenburgs, Saanens, and Alpines typically have lower butterfat milks that tend to be a bit more “goaty” or musky.

Nigerian Dwarf Goat

They are excellent milkers for their size. They weigh an average of around 70 pounds (that's 15 pounds less than our Golden Retriever) and stand on average about 21 inches high. Nigerian Dwarfs can produce up to a half gallon of milk a day.

Be sure to examine the dairy goat you select for easily detected faults, such as naval hernia, signs of teat problems or hermaphroditism young stock. A dairy goat that has an extra teat or a double orifice should be replaced in the show string with a sounder animal.

'English goats are perfect for smallholders. They're easy to handle, children can take them to the field, they milk without fuss and they're friendly,' enthuses Mrs Tavernor, a horticultural consultant who began keeping English goats on her six-acre Suffolk holding in 2012, after spotting them on a friend's farm.

If you only purchase one goat, they may get lonely and loud, as they often call for company. It's best to raise at least two goats at a time. Preferably, we recommend purchasing both goats from the same herd so they're comfortable with one another. This will keep your goats healthy, happy, and in good company.

Goats Provide All-Natural, Local Food If you want to have fresh, delicious milk on tap right in your backyard, you might like having goats. They're easier to milk than sheep and are smaller and easier to keep than cows. One good dairy goat can produce a gallon of milk every day.

How many goats do you need for milk? ›

One or two goats can furnish fresh milk for a family on a year-round basis. Surplus milk can be used for butter or cheese or to raise other young animals. Goat's milk is sometimes recommended for infants or elderly persons since it is easily digestible.

They may be the smallest of all the dairy breeds, but Nigerian Dwarf Goats sure are mighty! Not only do these pint-size milking ninjas boast the highest percentage of butterfat (making their milk extra rich and creamy), but they also have the highest protein content, as well!

Dairy goats are kept successfully in all climates. They do not need elaborate housing, but do require clean, dry, well ventilated, draft free shelter.