When to milk

big-o · #1 04/26/08, 04:12 PM

Hello everyone, I have been looking around here for some time now. I am very impressed with all the knowledge here. I have a couple of questions to ask. I checked and did searches but couldn't find what I was looking for. I am wanting to get a few goats (Nigerian Dwarfs). I am wanting them for milk. How often do they need to be milked? Would once a day be enough or would twice a day be better? And about how much could I expect from one? I hope this has not been asked before, If it has I am sorry but I couldn't find it.

Alice In TX/MO · #2 04/26/08, 06:02 PM

I'd say that most of us, and most of the milking world, does so twice a day.

Someone else will have to tell you how much milk to expect. I have big goats!

big-o · #3 04/26/08, 06:05 PM

Thanks Rose.

Alice In TX/MO · #4 04/26/08, 06:24 PM

The Nigerian Dwarf is a Miniature Dairy Goat

A healthy Nigerian Dwarf doe can produce a surprising amount of sweet milk for her small size - up to two quarts per day. In addition, Nigerian Dwarf milk is higher in butterfat (6-10%) and higher in protein than milk from most dairy goat breeds. However, many Nigerian Dwarf owners do not raise their goats for milk but for the pleasure and companionship these little caprines bring to their lives.

Copied from:
http://www.ndga.org/about/aboutnd.htm

Freeholder · #5 04/26/08, 08:05 PM

Usually twice a day -- you'll get more milk on twice-a-day milking.

Nigerians are pretty small. Sometimes it's hard to get a milking pail under them, and their teats can be so small that they are hard to milk. If you go with Nigies, I suggest looking at the larger end of the spectrum (they can be very tiny), and make sure the udders will be decent, and the teats large enough to grasp.

A better choice in small goats may be Kinders, if you can find some near you. But still look for decent udders and easy-to-milk teats.

Kathleen

TennesseeMama23 · #6 04/26/08, 08:58 PM

I milk once a day and put the babies up at night. I don't like milking 2x a day.

CookingPam777 · #7 04/26/08, 09:06 PM

I milk twice a day however I feel my doe could use being milked out 3x a day instead. I always see milk dripping which aggrevates me because I am not getting enough milk. I "weaned" my baby from the teat so we are getting more. She now drinks a bottle only. The bottle I wouldn't give her at night she would just as soon suck a teat dry and be fine bad thing hehehe.

cjb · #8 04/26/08, 09:11 PM

We milk standard does and I could never get away with once per day. When its time to milk, the yell at me at the top of their lungs - especially the Nubia cross

big-o · #9 04/27/08, 07:46 AM

Thanks everyone for your input. I really appreciate everyone sharing there knowledge with me. Again Thanks.

DQ · #10 04/27/08, 08:37 AM

whether or ot you milk 1 or 2 times per day depends on your priorities. I milk once per day and let the dams raise their own kids. I don't have the time or inclination to bottle feed babies. if you milk 2x per day and bottle feed the kids you are absolutely tied to those goats at milk and bottle times. thats 3-4 bottle feedings and two milkings per day. my kids are grade goats for meat or commercial percentage boer meat breeding stock with only a few for resale as family milkers there fore thay simply are not worth all that much and are mostly for our own use. it just doesn 't make sense in my situation to bottle feed the kids (as you would if milking 2x per day) unless I was able to fetch a high price for them or needed to eradicate some disease such as CAE from my herd. for me milking the does and buying milk for the kids is self defeating financially! I have 3 grade does in milk, I milk 1x per day after seperating the kids for the night. I only have to milk once per day I don't have to bottle feed or purchase milk for kids and I get plenty of milk for my family and freinds. if I have plenty of milk I just leave the kids on the dam and don't milk them. I have an orphan that is nursing one doe on the milk stand and I can milk the other two in the A.m. and get about 3/4 of a gallon. I have full size goats. I don't know how much you would get from a dwarf. it would be a different story for me if I was selling milk products or quality show stock. I don't think it makes sense to try to manage family milkers the same way a dairy would manage their stock. especially with the price of milk and feed nowadays. keep researching and decide on what you want and figure out what works and is best for you, your goals, and situation.

goatiegurl*Oh · #11 04/27/08, 07:18 PM

Would it be ok to pen the kids at 3pm milk mom at 7pm and then let the kids back out with mom at 5:30 am? Wondering how Im going to work milking into my school schedule next year...