Goat Productivity

[General Brown]

Providing that the taste test goes good...how much milk can I expect from a Nubian doe daily?

[Tracy in Idaho]

Any decent milker should be in the gallon a day range. I have Alpines that are over 2 gallons.

Tracy

[chamoisee]

It really depends upon where you get your goat. A dairy goat should be in the gallon a day range, but sadly, most of them are not. Even among top show stock there are milkers who produce far less than that....and your luck is likely to be worse yet with grades or sale barn goats.

Get pedigrees, do research, and most of all, milk the doe yourself several times before you buy her. Two of those milkings should be 8 hours apart.

[Carolyn]

Look around, the doe that the wether killed today, I dont' want to talk about it right now, I was really stupid!! milked at least 1 1/2 gallons a day. My minis, first fresheners, milked out at 3 1/2 qts a day, now almost a year, but not bred, still milk out close to 2 qts a day. I had a Sanaan Nubian cross that milked almost 2 gallons a day. Look around and ask to see records of the dams and sires dams. Carolyn

[ozark_jewels]

A good Nubian doe should do a gallon a day or more if fed properly. That said, production will most likely drop when a doe is moved, so be prepared for that. A good Lamancha doe will generally give a bit more. I like the milk from these two breeds the best as a general rule.

[Patty0315]

In general Saanens give the most of all breeds. If possible go and see several breeds , spend some time with them at milk and feeding time. If possible tatse the milk from several goats on each farm Ask about what they feed , it can make a difference in taste.

You might also want to post this on the goat board for some more input. Also go to dairygoatinfo.com and read more.

Patty