What breed

GraceAlice · #1 04/02/14, 08:24 PM

is known for giving a ton of milk?

Or family drinks 7 gallons of milk a week. We go insane if there is no milk in the fridge. We were thinking of getting a cow. .. but I think that is too much milk.

gunsmithgirl · #2 04/02/14, 08:35 PM

Saanen!

Alice In TX/MO · #3 04/02/14, 10:18 PM

Here's Lily, a Saanen/Alpine cross. She's due in about ten days. She will give over a gallon per day.

arnie · #4 04/02/14, 11:08 PM

if you have pasture and hay on a diversified homestead .a cow is a good choice you can raise a fine pig with extra milk, and as I did for years raise her calf for a beef cows are easyer to fence and can thive on pasture . a good gentle cow is expencive and do to there size take more expertise or brawn to handle . I have switched to a goat as my dairy needs are less and I just cannot afford to dish out the price of a good home milk cow. yet with many acres of pasture I have to keep the dairy goat confined to the barn & lot 'as my meager fences would not confine her . and carry feed to her yet I belive she would do well for days on what the cow would eat in a single meal . so now i'll raise my beef with a beef type cow . my first freshing lamancha goat has been produceing 3/4 a gallon of milk a day and is sure to increase as time gos on she leads easyily and I have no fear of having my toe steped on . there are positive points to both types of milkers ;but I see housing ,equipment and available pasture.and quality of fenceing to be big points to consider

Frosted Mini's · #5 04/02/14, 11:28 PM

My alpines peak over a gallon to a gallon and a half a day. Cows are not nearly as efficient producers as goats. If you aren't getting enough from one, get more.

And then you can have at least one in milk all the time. If you have a cow, you will have some times when she is dry, and then what will you do for milk? Goats make more sense.

harvestmoonfarm · #6 04/03/14, 08:42 AM

Alpines are awesome milkers. My doe, as a 3-year-old, averaged 11+ lbs per day. She was fresh 269 days and gave 2,987 lbs.

StarofHearts · #7 04/03/14, 08:47 AM

Aren't Nubians big producers too?

CraterCove · #8 04/03/14, 10:17 AM

Forget the cows and just get you some loverly Saanen girls!

They are large and majestic and the wethers make eager workers... actually I have a buck I am beginning to train to pull a cart. He seems really interested in the whole concept!

Also, the Saanen produces really drinkable milk, the fat content isn't overwhelming, you don't need to separate to drink. And out here milk is now closing in on 4.50 a gallon, we too go through a _lot_ of milk. With the use of CIDR protocols I hope to eventually never have a period when I don't have girls milking.

GraceAlice · #9 04/03/14, 11:44 AM

Saanens are not an option. I don't like them... they scare me. I'm fine with any breed besides saanens and nigerians. I know that sounds ridiculous but I really don't even like being around saanens or looking at them.

I have two nubian/lamancha does who are 2 years old but they never got pregnant. I would like to have a purebred doe.

dozedotz · #10 04/03/14, 12:57 PM

Of our PB Nubian girls we have 2 that milk well over a gallon to 2 gallons a day at peak. We have a FF who gives 1/2 gallon a day and has faithfully since she kidded in Feb. I am told by those who know after 38 years in the business that Nubians are commonly known to give a gallon a day on average.

CraterCove · #11 04/03/14, 01:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GraceAlice

Saanens are not an option. I don't like them... they scare me. I'm fine with any breed besides saanens and nigerians. I know that sounds ridiculous but I really don't even like being around saanens or looking at them.

I have two nubian/lamancha does who are 2 years old but they never got pregnant. I would like to have a purebred doe.

Hey I can't look at or be near large concrete structures without getting feelings of vertigo-- with my feet planted firmly on the ground. Everyone has their preferences.

Myself, I like enormous goats and miniature cows.

GraceAlice · #12 04/03/14, 01:12 PM

Heehee, well it's their spotted udders and their always white fur that gets me. To me they look sick because of their pink skin and white fur... eh, I don't know. I just don't like Saanens, lol. I have bad memories! I mean I'm sure they can be great goats, but they freak me out!

You cracked me up about the concrete thing. Oh my goodness, that must be weird...

What about Toggenburgs?

Alice In TX/MO · #13 04/03/14, 01:40 PM

I was afraid of full size goats for years. I got over it.

JB Weld · #14 04/03/14, 01:51 PM

My buddy raised his 5 children on Nubian milk. He had three does and they were really sweet girls.

April · #15 04/03/14, 02:13 PM

My Nubians all give at least a gallon a day, except the first fresheners who give less. They'll increase next year, most likely to the gallon mark. So, 2 Nubians should have your milk needs covered.

Having said that, I still won't give up milking the cow in addition to the goats. Goat milk is for drinking and ice cream and chevre. But... the cow milk is for butter and hard cheese.

bluefish · #16 04/03/14, 02:35 PM

Keep an eye for any good mutts as well. I have a nubian/saanen/alpine/oberhasli cross that gives me 8-9 pounds of milk per milking at peak and will milk for at least 2 years, still giving 4 lbs per milking at 2yrs fresh. She only has 1/8 saanen and you'd never guess to look at her.

I'd love to continue the line, but she only likes to throw boys.

notwyse · #17 04/03/14, 02:40 PM

Look for a good goat....not just a good breed. Togs are nice....but I am partial to alpines. Just a preference. My favorite alpine gave two gallon a day and stayed fat doing it.

**mygoat** · #18 04/03/14, 02:58 PM

Saanens or Alpines. I have an alpine giving 2gal/day currently. That's really high production though. Whatever you do, I'd get 2-3, or more at that level of consumption - you'd probably want to bottle kids as well to sell them sooner, and being able to have extra milk to feed kids is important. I'd also stagger their kiddings so you're in milk all year.

Just for reference, a dairy doe with decent production PEAKS at about a gallon/day (preferably more). From there the lactation curve drops off. Multiple goats and spreading out the duedates should be your plan to make sure you don't run short on milk.

DamnearaFarm · #19 04/03/14, 03:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CraterCove

Hey I can't look at or be near large concrete structures without getting feelings of vertigo-- with my feet planted firmly on the ground. Everyone has their preferences.

Myself, I like enormous goats and miniature cows.

Hey! Me too

I have two saanens, one snubian and a dexter heifer.

Frosted Mini's · #20 04/03/14, 04:56 PM

Yes, so look at the overall lactation as well. I think Nubians don't hold their lactation as well...so they may peak pretty high, but not stay at that level long for the most part. If you look at the ADGA website data for averages and top 10 breed leaders...Nubians low end top 10'ers are only slightly above the average lactation for a saanen or alpine. I have heard that Oberhasli's have a real sweet personality...they are one I would be willing to try sometime. I owned a Togg once and only once. She was very high strung, and it sounded like that is pretty normal for the breed.