Boers for milk?

[laikajg]

OK, maybe this is a silly question, but I was given three sweet female Boer goats (about a year old) and after doing some research realized that Boars are meat goats. Would it be worth it to try to get some milk from them? Thanks for the help.

Here's a shot of the littlest acrobat:
http://jedel-graff.smugmug.com/popul...218879922-A-LB

[goatkid]

Boer milk is rich in butterfat, and I know of one dairy that has milked both percentage and fullblood Boers along with their dairy goats. The thing with Boers is that they don't make as much milk as dairy goats and a doe with twins on her will probably only make enough for her kids. If you are planning to pull the kids at a young age, especially if you have buyers for young cabrito, You may then choose to milk your does rather than dry them up. They have a shorter lactation period than dairy goats. If you're really wanting goat milk for your family, I'd add a dairy doe to your herd. Any breed of goat needs to be bred and kid to produce milk.

[laikajg]

Originally Posted by goatkid

Boer milk is rich in butterfat, and I know of one dairy that has milked both percentage and fullblood Boers along with their dairy goats. The thing with Boers is that they don't make as much milk as dairy goats and a doe with twins on her will probably only make enough for her kids. If you are planning to pull the kids at a young age, especially if you have buyers for young cabrito, You may then choose to milk your does rather than dry them up. They have a shorter lactation period than dairy goats. If you're really wanting goat milk for your family, I'd add a dairy doe to your herd. Any breed of goat needs to be bred and kid to produce milk.

I'm honestly not sure I like goats milk, but wanted to make some 'use' out of these three goats, besides weedeaters. Could I get enough milk for my pigs, do you think? And, are boer kids easy to sell (nonregistered)?

[DQ]

check their teats. many boers have double teats that could make them difficult to milk. whether or not there is a market for goat meat in your area depends alot on the ethnic population. if you are located near a large city or an area with a high hispanic population you will probably have more luck.

[Freeholder]

You should try the milk (if your does have decent teats for milking -- might see if you can find an experienced goat person to take a look at them). If your goats are healthy, and your equipment clean, and you handle the milk properly, it should be sweet and rich, better than any milk you can buy at the store. Be brave! Try it! (You might like it, LOL!) :baby04:

Kathleen