Deciding on milk goat breed

bluejett · #1 12/04/12, 08:22 AM

It may be a year or so before I have a home for my milk goat but I 'd like to get know when I'm ready what breed I want.
Ive had Nubians before lovely goats easy temperament, but I would like a goat that produces enough for myself, my future husband and his parents and grandparents with some extras to make soaps and cheese ect
Any suggestions?

KrisD · #2 12/04/12, 09:25 AM

Saanens! Hands down.

Otter · #3 12/04/12, 09:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bluejett

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Ive had Nubians before lovely goats easy temperament, but I would like a goat that produces enough for myself, my future husband and his parents and grandparents with some extras to make soaps and cheese ect

Not understanding the "but". If you like Nubians, go on and get Nubians. Ask some of the folks here how much milk their Nubians give. If you had low producers, you had poor stock, and that can happen in any breed.

Frosted Mini's · #4 12/04/12, 10:14 AM

My favorite are mini-alpines.

Great production and a "perfect" size. Not huge like the large breed and not tiny like a Nigerian. Fantastic temperaments, high butterfat, and very feed efficient (give almost as much as a big breed on 1/2 the feed). Plus, they are easier to breed than the other mini's, because there aren't any ear issues, and pretty much no color issues (white and togg are only issues, just like in the standards).

Hollowdweller · #5 12/04/12, 10:42 AM

saanen

harvestmoonfarm · #6 12/04/12, 11:06 AM

My breed of choice is and always has been Nubians. They are laid back, friendly, have high butterfat content and give a lot of milk - 1-1.5 gallons per day. You'd be amazed at how quickly 7-10 gallons of milk a week adds up, so you'll have plenty to do what you want and still have some left over.

roneil76 · #7 12/04/12, 11:19 AM

Toggenburgs

Backfourty,MI. · #8 12/04/12, 11:30 AM

I Love my mini nubians. I like the in between size, not too big & not too small. I milked 1 doe this year only a.m. milking & got 2 quarts each morning. Plenty for dh & I, I gave quite a bit away, have gallons & bags froze for us & soap making. I can't imagine how much I'd have if I'd have milked her twice a day.

Oat Bucket Farm · #9 12/04/12, 01:13 PM

LaManchas all the way! Smaller on average than Nubians and the other swiss breeds, quiet, sweet, with a will to milk and they have almost as much butterfat on average as a Nubian.

harvestmoonfarm · #10 12/04/12, 01:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Oat Bucket Farm

LaManchas all the way! Smaller on average than Nubians and the other swiss breeds, quiet, sweet, with a will to milk and they have almost as much butterfat on average as a Nubian.

I have one of those, too

LoneStrChic23 · #11 12/04/12, 01:53 PM

I love all dairy goats, I'd have a lil of each breed if I could

Grew up with Alpines..... Lovely animals, strong will to milk, fabulous producers and they come in a large variety of colors.... I'll always love the breed... Very graceful animals and they have endearing personalities.... I have found in a mixed herd they tend to be a bit "breedist"... My Alpines prefer the company of other Alpines and can be snotty with my Lamanchas & Nubian.... Nothing extreme, just a bit snobby

But, I must say, since getting into Lamanchas, I'm quite smitten & impressed with the breed, despite swearing once upon a time that I'd never own those "ugly earless goats".... Very hardy, easy going animals with silly personalities..... They milk on about the same level as my Alpines, but they have milk with higher butterfat (just a hair behind Nubians on average). They seemed to tolerate the heat better than my Alpines do... On hot, 107° days the Alpines would be in the shade chewing cud while the Lamanchas were just as happy out in the sun munching hay...

Nubians, on average, aren't high volume producers, but they produce more butterfat, on average, than most breeds. If you love Nubians, just buy from bloodlines known for higher production. They are out there.

Saanens are wonderful too.... Real work horses in the dairy parlor and they have very mellow, sweet, laid back dispositions. Of course they only come in white (unless you get a sable), but if you could care less about color, they may be a good fit.

silverseeds · #12 12/04/12, 02:33 PM

My answer is "one or more of each"... Thats what Im doing anyway!

saanengirl · #13 12/05/12, 10:19 AM

Saanen

trimpy · #14 12/05/12, 04:05 PM

I am pretty partial to alpines as well. My girls are pretty pushy though and can be a little mean to the other goats. Only thing I really don't prefer is their size. Our queen is a 120# Alpine and she can be very willful and hard to control. I love our mini goats as you can just pick em up and put them where you want 'em.

bluejett · #15 12/05/12, 05:06 PM

Thanks for all the replies everyone,
I've been looking a lot and leaning towards American Alpines and La Manchas, their butterfat percentage is just about right as compared to Nubians which is a little high for my taste.
I think having multiple options for bucklings like meat or pack goats they are a good choice.
La Manchas are my second choice, I'm really hoping Alpines will work out though.

southerngurl · #16 12/05/12, 05:35 PM

From what you say, I'd go with the lamanchas. Tend to be great producers with great tasting milk.

Frosted Mini's · #17 12/05/12, 07:17 PM

trimpy, your biggest alpine is only 120 lbs?? Are you sure? Alpines are usually MUCH bigger than that. Mini alpines are just barely under that, typically.