What breed

bbower2005 · #1 05/08/08, 07:55 PM

How do you choose a breed? I definately want the dairy goats for milk. I am stuck on Nigerian Dwarf and Nubian. How do I decide? I like the Nubian size and what they eat. I like the Nigerian Dwarf because there soo cute. I had pygmy's and I loved them to death! I have acres with horses so I have space fore either size. And I have open stalls for them in the winter.

susanne · #2 05/08/08, 08:09 PM

if you had pygmies before, you might want to go with nigerians. if you want to get serious about milking, get nubians. they are much easier to milk because of bigger teat size.

momagoat61 · #3 05/08/08, 08:09 PM

I would have to say Lamancha's , they have a great natural about them and they also give a lot of milk if your looking to milk them.

Janis Sauncy · #4 05/08/08, 08:13 PM

Saanens. Easy-going, sweet-natured, hardy, good producers.

And, in my opinion, there's something kinda' pretty about an all-white herd.

Janis

DQ · #5 05/08/08, 08:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bbower2005

I like the Nubian size and what they eat.

??????? a goat eats what a goat eats irregardless of breed in my experience..... be very practical in choosing your breed. decide what you want to get out of them. nigis are smaller and harder to fence in........nubians are going to give more substantial quantities of milk. I tried to milk tiny teats once...and I won't again!!!!! but nigies cost less to feed and are more pet like (and the babies are so darn cute.....) get one bred doe of each and decide later!!!!

crazygoatgal · #6 05/09/08, 08:59 AM

I am a nd fanatic, so I can't be objective, but the nd's are more economical and adorable. Yes, you do get less milk, but pound for pound you get more from a nd than the larger breeds. That is a general statement and all goats are different, but it usually accurate. They are so friendly and great for kids and disabled or elderly people because of their size and personality. Their milk is richer and tastes sooooo good.

Shazza · #7 05/09/08, 09:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Janis Sauncy

Saanens. Easy-going, sweet-natured, hardy, good producers.

And, in my opinion, there's something kinda' pretty about an all-white herd.

Janis

I agree...here in Oz the first breed reccommended for the first choice is Saanens...docile, lovelt natured, real sweeties. My second breed was Toggenburgs...if you want the pens broke and the fences tested to their limit then a Toggie is for you LOL.

Freeholder · #8 05/09/08, 11:34 AM

Look for a good breeder close to you, and get the breed they are raising. You will then have access to nearby bucks, rather than having to keep your own (you may want to, later, but it's easier not to start with them). You will also have someone close to mentor you through some of the learning experiences you are going to encounter.

Later, if you want, you can branch out into a different breed, but it's really best to start with what's close by. Especially now, with gas prices so high -- do you really want to be having to make a two or three hour drive with a doe in heat, in order to get her to the buck?

Kathleen

AnnaS · #9 05/09/08, 06:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BlueJuniperFarm

Look for a good breeder close to you, and get the breed they are raising. You will then have access to nearby bucks, rather than having to keep your own (you may want to, later, but it's easier not to start with them).
Kathleen

This is super advice- there is no "wrong" breed of goat.

The differences between goat breeds is minimal, compared to breed differences in dogs or horses. There are plenty of exceptions to any rule with goat breeds. There are quiet Nubians and LaManchas that bite.

Another benefit of Nigerians over standard dairy breeds is their lower volume of milk. Five to 10 lbs per doe per day in the standard breeds can be overwhelming, if you just want household milk.

With Nigerians, you ought to get registered ones from good stock. I've seen many "unregistered" Nigies that were obviously Pygmies. Good registered Nigerian kids will bring as much, or more, as standard breed kids.

Wags · #10 05/09/08, 07:44 PM

I agree - best to have a mentor close by. I am very fortunate that my breeder lives just a couple of miles down the road from me.

I don't find Nigerians all that hard to milk - especially if you purchase from breeders that are interested in and breeding for good milk lines. (As opposed to those that are breeding strictly for pets.) We will be getting a herd sire this summer who has a couple of 3 quart a day milkers in his immediate bloodline.

Another advantage to Nigerians is that they are so easy to handle. I can pick up and carry any of my does, and can easily move the bucks around. Also you don't have to have a truck and/or trailer to move them, since the does (and some bucks) can easily fit in a large dog kennel.