How long do different breeds stay in milk?

Heather S · #1 09/27/10, 03:50 PM

My husband and I are considering adding a couple of does to our hobby farm for milk. I just read that a goat can produce milk for up to 2 years so you only need to breed it every second fall. That sounds very hopeful. Has anyone found this to be true? Which breed of goat is best in that regard? We are considering minis as we only have 4 acres of rented land and need to be discreet about it so the owner doesn't fear we will damage the land. We would consider full size if they gave milk longer.

Alice In TX/MO · #2 09/27/10, 04:30 PM

It depends on the individual goat. I have never heard of any breed that has longer lactations.

I have an Alpine who stayed in milk for 20 months.

I have a LaMancha who didn't dry off between kiddings.

Wildwood · #3 09/28/10, 12:43 AM

Here is a thread I bookmarked a while back discussing this very subject. I ended up milking my nubian girls two years straight before we all got tired...they were still going and that was with once a day milking. I wanted to keep milking but exhaustion set in for me with a job and a business to run and I just couldn't keep it up. If I didn't have a job, we'd probably still be milking.

Milking your goat "through"