hardiness of different breeds... Alpine vs Saanen

[silvergirl]

Hi, all,
I am curious about the hardiness of the Saanen versus the Alpine... I've heard that the Saanen need a lot of dietary supplements to maintain their milk production without losing body weight, and that they are more delicate... I've heard that the Alpine do better on forage and will still keep a fairly high production level, are less prone to health issues, and are generally sturdier than the Saanen... but they are not as pleasant or tractable to work with...

In a post disaster setting of some sort (and never mind the reason for it - political, economic, or natural disaster) , which do you all feel would be the best goat to have around that would require the least interventions to survive and produce well...

Thanks
silvergirl

[goatkid]

I don't think it's the breed so much as certain lines with regard to being delicate. Both the breeds you refer to are high producing dairy goats. As such they need a good diet of alfalfa along with grain and a good loose mineral to keep them healthy and productive. Both breeds are intelligent. Saanens as a general rule are more mellow than Alpines. Alpines have a tendency to be more headstrong with other goats, but I've found both breeds to be equally cooperative with me on the milk stand.

[NYSaanen]

As for a direct comparison, I can't help you out as we have only had Saanens. Ours get grass hay, a grain ration, and loose minerals. We use no alfalfa. They take any chance they can get to browse on their own.

We have never had any ovewhelming health issues, but I think I can say that many times health issues are directly related to how well the goats are taken care of.

I would agree that production/ weight issues are more of a line issue as opposed to breed. We have one well (not over) conditioned doe, maintains good weight, and still produces in the bucket. Have another on that tends to put all her grain into the milk pail, so to speak. Does not seem to gain much weight, but sure puts it in the bucket, 14-16# per day through a good portion of her cyle.
Same breed, different line.

If you are looking for something post disaster than can essentially fend for itself, or survive with only what you have on hand, ie. gray hay/ pasture and browse, that is hard to say. Seems all of the breeds have been conditioned to the grain/ supplement regimen, and may not do well without it. If the post disaster included lack of access to grain sources, etc., it may take an even hardier breed to survive. Something to think about.

[lonelyfarmgirl]

I dont know if I could choose one over the other. I have both. my one sannen is so nice and gentle she may as well been a dog or cat.
the alpines are much more pushy. my sannen has never lacked for weight. they all have minimal shelter.
grass hay, minerals, a bit of grain while in milk, and alfalfa when I can get it, but not consistantly. they all do fine.

[ozark_jewels]

Of the two, my experience has been that the Alpine is hardier, though as others have said, it runs in lines, not so much in breed. Alpines are also pushier.

[Vicki McGaugh TX Nubians]

If alot of work has been done in the bloodline you are purchasing for high milk yeilds, not soo much protien or butterfat, than if all you are going to offer is sweet feed and grass hay than you should perhaps move to another bloodline of the breed with less milk yeilds.

Hardiness is more about mangement than breed or bloodline. A saanen doe milking 6 pounds a day can easily exsist on the basics of pasture and some grain. A Nubian who kids with quads yearly and milks 12 pounds a day simply will have pregnancy issues on that type of feeding program. They are dairy animals. There are parts of my bloodline I will simply not sell into homes that only let does nurse, that don't milk them...I know what their udder will look like going untouched even after one freshening....little infant kids can't nurse out enough colostrum from a full udder to relieve it, let alone the first 6 week peak of milk.

So in looking for your first stock, once again, make sure you are purchasing from someone doing what you eventually want to do with the stock. If you aren't going to milk your dairy goats think about getting boers. If you aren't going to feed alfalfa in any form, because you can't justify the price because you have no income from your goats, than buy from someone with lower milk yeilds. Vicki

[silvergirl]

Hi, again -
Thank you for all the input...
I have two mature goats right now, as well as their two kids, and am expanding my herd this year. I was speaking with the breeder that sold us our Saanen buck last year, about buying Saanen doelings from her, and I was also looking for a freshened doe. She said she had an Alpine doe in milk that she could sell me for $200, and offered me an Alpine buckling for $100 as well. She said that the Alpines are hardier than the Saanen and have less health issues and weight issues... So I wanted to get more input before committing all my resources to a breed that might not be sturdy enough without substantial supplemental diet. I love my Saanen billy, Sherrif - he's like a big baby... and I do milk my Sadie-girl every morning, then leave the kids on her through the day, separating them at night... She is just a Nubian/Boer mixed breed and she doesn't have a high volume - she might milk six pounds a day when the kids are weaned - maybe eight when she peaks, but she's bottoms out at about five pounds... I do make butter from her milk as well as yogurt and cheese... I am looking forward to having a higher volume milker, so I can expand the cheese making and maybe get into making goat's milk soap... We have quite a few clients that want our chevre and are asking about buying yogurt and hard cheeses on a regular basis... Like most homesteaders, our budget isn't huge and our animals are a very valuable investment - but they are more than just a financial investment - they are an investment of heart and labor, as well... As much as I love my Sadie, she takes an inordinate amount of care and resources in comparison to the volume of milk she produces, and having fallen in love with her, I wouldn't trade her for anything... but the next goats I bring in have to be productive... cause even if they're not, I'd really struggle with selling them again... So the info you've all provided has helped very much... I am wondering if the way to go may be to mix up our herd a little and have some Alpines as well as some Saanen... and I am hoping if they are hand raised, even the Alpines may turn out to be gentler and more tractable...

Is $100 for an Alpine buckling a good price? and will the new billy likely get along with my Sherrif if he is raised with the other kids in the paddock?
Thanks again for all your input...
Jay