| Want dairy goats? Here's what you need to know. On average, a dairy goat will give 3 quarts of milk per day. The main dairy goat breeds are Alpine, LaMancha, Nubian, Oberhasli, Sannen, Toggenburg and Nigerian Dwarf. LaManchas and Nubians come from warm climates, whereas Alpines, Oberhaslis, Saanens, and Toggenburgs come from the mountains of Switzerland. Thus, the first two tolerate hot summers better than the latter four, who are well-suited to cool climates.
According to Mother Earth News, here are some key differences between these breeds.
Alpines: Upright ears and long necks, medium to large body, good milker. Coats are two-toned, usually black and white.
Oberhaslis: Usually bay (reddish brown) with black markings but sometimes completely black. This is a medium to small breed that doesn't produce as much milk as other breeds.
Saanens: The "Holstein" of the goat world. The animals are larger, usually all white, and produce a LOT of milk (for a goat).
Toggenburgs: Colors range from fawn to deep chocolate. This is a medium-size breed with long lactations. "Their inquisitive nature can sometimes become quite challenging."
LaManchas: Unique because they have no visible external ears. They are calm, gentle, and good milkers. They are a larger breed that comes in many colors.
Nubians: The "Jersey" of the goat world. These goats have floppy ears and "an energetic disposition some say is just plain stubborn." They come in many colors and produce milk with high butterfat content.
Nigerian Dwarf: This is a West African native that is "a surprisingly good milker." A full size Nigerian Dwarf goat will weigh only 30 to 50 pounds compared to 120 to 135 pounds for females in a non-dwarf breed. They are known for friendly personalities and they come in many colors. They give birth easily and produce milk with very high protein and butterfat content. These goats produce 1-2 quarts of milk per day.
One last useful piece of advice from this article: Buy a goat locally so that you get one already adapted to the climate where you live. (I recommend the entire Mother Earth News article, if you are serious about keeping dairy goats.) |
