Dairy Goats Information

Smooth Hound · Mon Jan 07, 2008 1:05 pm

http://www.goatworld.com/articles/udgp.shtml

"In contrast to cows, the milking of goats is routinely done in different ways and schedules, depending on tradition, convenience, and budget. In most countries goats are milked twice a day, 12 hours apart. Routine, once-daily milking is not recommended. The doe's udder produces milk throughout the day and night, but production is slowed as milk accumulates. During the height of lactation heavy producers can be milked three times a day at eight-hour intervals to relieve pressure in the udder. This procedure often yields more milk."

kimmie · Post: # 80591Post **kimmie** » Tue Jan 08, 2008 3:20 pm

we have a saanen and an angora goat...although both very loving and affectionate goats...they are both very different characters! daisy is the very gentle one(angora) Rita likes to have a cuddle but from me more than matt!! lol
Hoping to get rita kidd soon...for the milk of course!
So...

wanted one Billy goat..... for one day/ night of passion........must be willing to please and have know-how, although must be a gentleman too with a good sense of humour,must like short walks in the paddock...mustnt get over protective, one night stand only, although may lead another one night later......smokers need not apply!

but here is a question for you...do you milk all goats or just the milking breeds?

Smooth Hound · Fri Jan 11, 2008 9:17 am

All female goats that have kidded give milk and can be milked, some give alot more than othhers, but saying that we actually had a goat once that just started producing milk, only about a quarter of a pint, when i spoke to the goat society about this they said it does happen, possibly a phantom pregnancy or something.

kimmie · Post: # 93019Post **kimmie** » Tue Apr 01, 2008 3:15 pm

Ok we had a surprise kid, but to the angora not the saanen, my question now is.....how soon after the mum giving birth should you milk the parent goat??

PeterNZ · Post: # 93386Post **PeterNZ** » Thu Apr 03, 2008 2:30 am

We are hand milking once a day and never had a Mastitis problem. Our friends with an Organic Goat Farm and Cheese production machine milk 20 Saanens once a day and also never had any Mastitis problems. Other friends the same with one milking goat! So I am surprised about the informtaion that it would be proplematic!

Maybe it is the wonderful nature here in New Zealand and the laid back lifestyle?

Cheers

Peter

ainslie · Post: # 93601Post **ainslie** » Fri Apr 04, 2008 3:18 am

"Maybe it is the wonderful nature here in New Zealand and the laid back lifestyle?"

I've never been to NZ but heard the same from those I know who have been - one couple I know went there for an extended stay because they were unable to keep a pregnancy and lo and behold they were blessed with a beautiful healthy daughter!

I hand milk my 4 does once a day in the evening (because that works better for me but sometimes wonder if milking in AM would get higher volume?); I keep the kids with the dams as long as I can stand it which is about 3-4 months, but separate the kids for 4-6 hours/day so I can get a worthwhile milking. I have never yet seen any sign of mastitis - mind you I just posted questions about two oddities I'm having.

PeterNZ · Post: # 94299Post **PeterNZ** » Sun Apr 06, 2008 9:38 pm

ainslie wrote:"Maybe it is the wonderful nature here in New Zealand and the laid back lifestyle?"

I've never been to NZ but heard the same from those I know who have been - one couple I know went there for an extended stay because they were unable to keep a pregnancy and lo and behold they were blessed with a beautiful healthy daughter!

I hand milk my 4 does once a day in the evening (because that works better for me but sometimes wonder if milking in AM would get higher volume?); I keep the kids with the dams as long as I can stand it which is about 3-4 months, but separate the kids for 4-6 hours/day so I can get a worthwhile milking. I have never yet seen any sign of mastitis - mind you I just posted questions about two oddities I'm having.

With the risk of becoming philosophical now: I strognly believe that everything has an impact on it's environment. On the whole environment! We are all parts in a system. Change one bit and the whole system has changed!

If I milk goats and I am grumpy, the system has changed! The goat feels it! I feel it when my wife is grumpy! And what happens? I feel different! I probably feel guilty because I think I have done something wrong! If I feel guilty, I have changed and I may call a friend and he senses that I feel different and it will impact him. So the Grumpiness of my wife affects my friend and so on.

We came to New Zealand 8 years ago. Before that we lived in Germany! If I look back I must admit what a sad life we had in Germany! It is not Germany I blame! There isn't anything to blame for it! But we took life into our own hands and changed something! Here in Godz Own, I am very relaxed, I am usually in balance with myself. And what happened? The system changed! I have never produced such a high quality at work as I have done in the last 8 years in NZ! And coming back to working with animals. I give you an example. When I started milking my goat Hari, she was kicking and screaming! And I started to get angry. I must admit

at one stage I yelled at her and kicked the bucket! Then I settled down and started thinking! And I realised she kicked only when I squeezed on one side. So I had a look at the teat and what a surprise! (Doh!) she had bite marks on her teat and was sore. So I figured what the problem was and could adjust accordingly! Why? Because I was relaxed and calm.

Sorry, I waffle!

I hope I could bring the point across. I am not a person who goes out at full moon and meditates etc. But I strongly believe if you are in balance, it will have an impact on the whole system And in order to be in balance you have to look at your own life!

Pete's Monday Morning (NZ Time) words of wisdom!

Have a great week!

Cheers

Peter

VSS · Post: # 94315Post **VSS** » Sun Apr 06, 2008 10:58 pm

get hold of a copy of Goat Husbandry by David McKenzie - everyone should read it BEFORE they start keeping goats.

PeterNZ · Post: # 94319Post **PeterNZ** » Mon Apr 07, 2008 3:10 am

VSS wrote:get hold of a copy of Goat Husbandry by David McKenzie - everyone should read it BEFORE they start keeping goats.

Yes I agree, BUT keep in mind that the last release as 1980! Some things have changed a bit! New grain breeds are available etc. But as I said, I agree, it is probab;y the most complete book on this topic!

Cheers

Peter

ainslie · Post: # 94461Post **ainslie** » Mon Apr 07, 2008 3:55 pm

How are you getting along with your question? Enough info yet?

Have you looked at the "Fiasco Farms" website yet? It is an amazing resource! It has an excellent index and very detailed step by step instructions and good clear photos of each step too. I wish I'd known about it when I first started with goats.

farmercoop · Fri Apr 11, 2008 8:56 pm

Hi there have been to see a few local breeders and have decided apon anglo nubians, will let you know how i get on, obviously information is always welcome. thanks JOE