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  #1  
Old 06/09/11, 08:50 PM
Slugmar's Avatar  
Join Date: May 2008
Location: Anderson,California
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Milk goats

I'm thinking of buying acouple milk goats to add to my herd I will get them tested for cae and such before bringing them home, but I usually have alot of vistors to the farm so Im always worried about getting something from others that carried it in.

What kind of problems can a Milk goat have that would make the milk bad for human consumption ?

Which milk goat would you recommed for cheese, yougure, ice cream etc etc making, milk consumption soap making and such ?

on an avrage how much milk can a goat produce if milked twice a day ?

Ill have more questions once they come to me for you all with milk goats.
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  #2  
Old 06/09/11, 08:59 PM
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Personally, I have people disinfect their shoes (by stepping in a bleach solution) before going into my goat area in case they've been around other goats. (I do the same if I've been somewhere with other goats, also.)

The disease CL is transmittable to humans, so drinking milk from a CL positive goat is a bad idea.

You can make all those things from goat milk from any breed or cross breed, though some breeds generally have higher butterfat amounts and therefore make richer products.

How much they give depends on breed (for example, Saanens are known for being really high producers, but miniature breeds will produce less in concordance with their smaller size), the genetics of the particular goat (whether or not they were bred to produce milk or to be pets), and the maintenance of the goat (what it's fed, if it's wormy, etc). Weather can even effect production!

I highly suggest buying not only from a clean herd, but from someone who milks. I made the newbie mistake of buying from a show home to begin with, and then a not-so-serious-milking/pet home, and finally a REAL milking herd. All my animals are healthy, but not all are true milkers. I am now milking one doe who gives only 3/4 a cup per milking on her 3rd freshening and my "real milker" doe is giving between 1.5-2 cups per milking as a FF who kidded with a single. The difference in their udders is amazing, too.

Last edited by Wonderland; 06/09/11 at 09:05 PM.
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  #3  
Old 06/09/11, 09:23 PM
 
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: Redding California
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In our area, I just test for CAE and CL. On a new goat from the mountain areas, I may consider also testing for Johnnes.
For quanity of milk, Saanens are the choice, for butterfat, Nubians are the best. Some milk upwards of 2 gallons a day (am & pm milking), but I think most is a gallon to a gallon and a half.
There are going to be a lot of Dairy goats at the fair this next week, I know there are a lot of good bloodlines and clean goats there and the breeders are usually open to talking with you.
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  #4  
Old 06/09/11, 09:30 PM
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they just dont go to my goat pen we sale produce,eggs,birds and hay off the place also so basically they go to alot of areas.
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  #5  
Old 06/09/11, 09:41 PM
Farming with a Heart
 
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you might just not allow the goats into the other areas and not allow visitors in the goat pen - make sure you wear other shoes in the goat pen that haven't been worn all over the place on your farm.
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  #6  
Old 06/09/11, 09:58 PM
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Unless you are willing to shell out a lot of money for high producers, you are more likely to find goats milking 3 to 4 quarts a day in homestead milkers.

Ask LOTS of questions before you buy from someone. Tour their farm. Tour LOTS of farms till you learn what a healthy goat looks like!

Read here for many hours before goat shopping:
http://fiascofarm.com/goats/index.htm
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  #7  
Old 06/09/11, 11:44 PM
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Location: Anderson,California
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I'm sure there not that much different then my meat goats on appereance of being sick so that shouldnt be a problem its those problems you cant see or feel that always worry me.

Might even keep the milkers closer to me and just bring a buck to them for breeding.

Last edited by Slugmar; 06/09/11 at 11:55 PM.
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  #8  
Old 06/10/11, 01:12 AM
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I think there is a higher chance of getting a goat with good tasting milk, and known for consistant lactations, would be the LaMancha. Plus most have good personalities.
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  #9  
Old 06/10/11, 01:15 AM
 
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: Redding California
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Oh! I forgot that about the Munchies.... sorry I have always liked my friends but they are actually crossed with Saanens...
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  #10  
Old 06/10/11, 07:21 AM
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Have you had your meat goats tested for CAE? We just ran into a HUGE problem with a family nearby that the mom has dairy goats and the daughter down the road has meat goats. We realized there was a health problem in the Boer herd and went through some crazy fearful times about cross contamination and getting everything tested and getting biosecurity in place.

Make sure your meat goats are healthy (CAE and CL) before bringing in goats that will put milk on your table.
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  #11  
Old 06/10/11, 07:22 PM
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Well I wont have to worry about the milk goats, found a little holestien heifer today and picked it up pictures are down in the cattle forums if you want to check her out.
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