Cow or Goat Milk??

LoneStrChic23 · #61 01/21/11, 11:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sticky_burr

well seems to me goat milk "flavor" is feed cows eat 'prime forage and goats munch weeds twigs tin cans shoes cardboard lol

I dunno about cows getting "prime forage".... I'm surrounded by cattle people and the hay I see them feed (and the cows devour with gusto) I wouldn't use for bedding in my barn...much less as food....But then again I've noticed cows seem to have stronger guts and can happily eat, and tolerate things a goat wouldn't... My goats don't eat cardboard, tin cans and are quite picky about what type of trees they like to munch on...They do however love raisins, baby carrots, marshmallows and toast with jam

Heritagefarm · #62 01/21/11, 12:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pony

Ahem.

Goats do NOT eat tin cans, shoes, or cardboard. That is an old husbands' tale.

They DO eat healthy browse, grain, hay, and marshmallows.

Actually, goats LOVE cardboard. (they will also attempt to eat plastic)

Pony · #63 01/21/11, 12:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Heritagefarm

Actually, goats LOVE cardboard. (they will also attempt to eat plastic)

Maybe YOUR goats eat cardboard (and try to eat plastic), but MY Nubians (and my pygmy) don't.

In fact, they WON'T.

Maybe you should offer yours some raisins or marshmallows, to cure that pica they have.

Homely · #64 01/21/11, 01:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wags

I've had both, and goats don't seem to attract the flies like cows do and they cheaper to feed and easier to manage than the cows.

My little Nigerians give about a 1/2 gallon a day of very rich milk (butterfat runs 6-10%) and we have no problem making butter by just shaking a half quart of room temperature whole milk for about 20 minutes. They are fed only alfalfa pellets - everything else is forage from the pasture unless it is freezing and then they get grass hay. But in my area that means I feed out less than a dozen bales of hay in a year.

For someone without a lot of land, or a huge family I think they are about the perfect homestead dairy producer. They don't take up much space, come into season year round so that you can stagger breedings to keep a good milk supply. The higher butterfat also means more cheese per gallon, as well as the ease in making butter. They also are prone to having multiple kids which gives you more to sell, keep or eat.

Mine get along just fine with my pastured chickens and they happily share pasture space with some goats even seeming to have a pet hen that they can be found napping with.

Is this typical for Nigerians? I've been wanting Kinders for milk and meat for a while but if it'd save getting a separator, I'd go with Nigies. They are available locally, too.

Alice In TX/MO · #65 01/21/11, 04:48 PM

I'd say that's a better than average Nigerian Dwarf, but it's admirable!

kirkmcquest · #66 01/21/11, 05:00 PM

I like Goat milk, call me crazy but I actually like a slight 'goaty' flavor in the milk. After you get used to it you don't even notice it and then if you switch back to cow milk it will taste very 'bovine' and you'll wonder how you never noticed it before.

Goat milk is healthier, the fat molecules are smaller and easier to digest. Many kids who cannot drink cows milk drink goats milk and digest it easily. It is also supposed to boost your immune system, but that might be just hearsay.

VA Shepherd · #67 01/21/11, 06:23 PM

Have you considered sheep? Sheep milk has the creaminess of goat, but is closer to the flavor of cow. It's the closest to human that there is, so it's really good for you, and super rich. The downside: they only lactate six months or so at most, but it freezes very well. It makes the best yogurt you'll ever have! East Friesians or Lacaunes give the most. Plus, sheep are more manageable and fun than cows, and not as smelly as goats (bucks, anyway). That's just my opinion, cow & goat folks, don't be mad!

Alice In TX/MO · #68 01/21/11, 07:46 PM

How much milk per day?