looking for the perfect milker

[jerzeygurl]

as my jerseys are dry for a season, i am looking for a good milk goat. I was told a saanen is what i want for my needs. High out put, friendly, and not escape prone.

also, i have found with the cows it works better for me to milk in the morning and let calves run with mamas during the day , then keep them up at night , can that be done with goats. This method allows some measure of freedom to go about daily life.

[ajharris]

Saanen's are very friendly,and have high out put ( well atleast mine is and does) but she is the one who finds the weak places in the barn wall and she leads them all out and about when she breaks through. You can separate mom and kids at night and milk mom in the morning. I wouldnt trade my saanen for anything.

[crowinghen]

Yes, you can seperate the kids at night and milk in the morning, that's what we do also.
Nubians are good too, well, at least mine are sweet and the milk is wonderful! They are not fence testers. perhaps it really isn't a breed thing, but a goat by goat thing.
I've only heard good things about Saanens too BTW.


Susie

[TexCountryWoman]

I would LOVE to have saanens except they are not heat tolerant. I am VERY happy with my Lamanchas. They are heat tolerant and my line produces large quantities of milk for a long lactation period. They have never tested the fence and never get out. They are quit polite on the milkstand and know the routine well. LaManchas are also known as being "the quiet breed" and "the sweet breed". Each goat is an individual, however, so others may have different experiences. i wouldn't trade mine for anything.

Yes, you can milk once a day. After a few weeks, keep the babies penned away from mom at night, and milk in the morning. If mom is a heavy milker, you may have to milk twice a day until she slacks off a bit, just to keep her comfortable. If you are familiar with jerseys, then this will be second nature to you.

You will enjoy goats very much...you need more than one doe though, they need a friend, they don't do well alone. They are also much more intelligent and personable than cattle and you will get very attached...enjoy!

[pookshollow]

I love my Saanen. Polly is very mellow, very quiet (except when she's in season - then the whole world knows about it!) and a great milker. I had trouble drying her off this spring, so I may let her milk through without rebreeding her. I haven't found her to be a fence breaker or a trouble maker in any way - that would be Sara, the Alpine brat.

Right now, I am milking once a day, leaving the kids in with the mommas at night, and it works just fine. Once I wean though, I'll be back to milking twice a day.