First, this is quite a commitment. The thought of milking an large animal twice a day has just about sealed their fate around here. We're not big vacationing people, but we would like to do some more camping in the future. And when we do take a big trip, it's usually back to Texas to see family and we're gone for 2-3 weeks at a time. Do you know how difficult it is to find someone who wants to take care of a small homestead for that long of a time? And I hate to even ask! Adding a dairy animal might keep us tied to the house more than we'd like.
Second, the housing requirements for a larger animal has been a bit daunting. We want to build one time, not twice, unlike our chicken coop where we built and then realized that it was way too small! Then there is the issue of fencing. Goats require a taller fence and one that they can't mangle or climb over. Cha-ching!
Third, despite how much we've learned, we're far from being confident when it comes to hoof care, issues of an upset rumen, and the like. But I suspect we'll never feel 100% ready until we dive in. It's not like we haven't learned ANYTHING the last two years!
Anyway, I've hesitated to move forward until recently when I reconsidered Kinder goats. A couple of my homesteading friends mentioned they wished they had not "upgraded" to larger breeds and were discussing the benefits of Kinders when I received an email from Rich Anderson of Anderson Family Farms on some unrelated business. The Andersons raise Kinders and have a family based business as an off-shoot of their goat milk products. (You should really visit their site to see the beautiful products!).
• smaller in size, they require more modest housing, although it should be just as "goat proof" as for a larger breed
• their food intake is also more modest, making the feed cost less
• they are considered dual purpose in that they are used for milk or meat
• they can be bred year-round
• they typically have multiple births
• their milk is high in butterfat, ranging from 5.5% - 7%
• they aren't as difficult to milk as a pygmy
• they're hardy and seem to live long, tolerating heat or cold fairly well
Obviously, these smaller goats are not going to produce as much milk, however, it's probably plenty for most families. Realistically, you might expect to get about 2 quarts per day from a milker. (The amount will vary depending on age, etc.) Given the fact that goats need companions, it would be best to have at least two or three does which should allow you to have more than enough milk for drinking and for making dairy products.
Here are some links with additional information that you might find helpful...
Kinder Goats Breeders Association
Kindergoats.org
Backwoods Home Magazine "Kinder Goats"
Hobby Farms "Kinder Breed Profile"
So... now I think we might be ready to move forward into the realm of goats. In fact, we went and visited a friend with some Kinders to see them up close and personal and I have to confess, we were charmed by their wonderful personality and size! Both my daughters readily agreed that the Kinder breed was their favorite. Even my husband thought they were cute and more to his liking.
Given the fact that these are smaller animals and their needs not so grand (although just as important) has given us the confidence to consider moving forward. And we'll be deciding in the next few days. If anyone has additional input as to the pros and cons of Kinders, or goats for that matter, I'd love to hear from you today! Don't be shy!
Personally, I love my Nigerian Dwarf Dairy Goats. LOVE. Did I mention that? lol However, there is a lot to be said for having a breeder near you to talk with when you need to. I've heard good things about the Kinders. One suggestion I have is to purchase a Henry Milker. Even if you don't use it for your ever day milking, having it for your goat sitters to use if they aren't adept at milking is a life saver, and it's not costly. :) I love mine.
ReplyDeletePS!! You get what you pay for!! Do your research and buy the best you can afford. In the end, you'll save money. Especially in milking goats. It costs just as much to feed a goat that produces 1 quart of milk as it does to feed one that produces 2. :)
ReplyDeleteHave you looked into Nigerian Dwarf's? They give 2 qts a day, are the SWEETEST, QUIET goats (Nubians are LOUD). I have had mine for a year now and just absolutely adore them. We butchered 2 this morning and now have a large cooler full of goat meat brining. I can't wait to try it. Anyways Nigerians have caught my heart and are definately worth looking into. For a herd of at times up to 12 I have put barely over $1500 into them and that includes the gas to pick them up 400 miles away twice.
ReplyDeleteWow, it seems you have truly thought this one through. Keep us updated with your new additions. Good luck!
ReplyDeleteFor us as well, this breed sounds like a good compromise. I love the sweet look of Nubians, but have felt the smaller size of a dwarf would be easier to handle. And yes, agreed...only the kindest of souls will farm-sit...why not offer to do the same for them? It works out well! Keep us posted on your new adventure.
ReplyDeleteI have a Kinder doe that is bred for the first time and due in a couple of months. I also decided to keep her wethered brother as a pet for my boys and we love them both. We have 5 pygmies/dwarf Nigerians, 1 Sable doe that I milk and the two Kinders. They have the sweetest personalities of the bunch and are very laid back! Good luck!!
ReplyDeleteThe beauty and hardiness of this creature amazes me. I have many friends here in the mountains, that all they raise are goats. Their milk, I use to make my soap, and to make beauty products.
ReplyDeleteI don't drink the milk, because it is hard to change from cow to goat...but I know that their milk is extremely beneficial to our bodies.
Thank you Amy for sharing,
Blessings to your day,
Maria
I understand right where you are coming from! We have a small farm and do a 1 week trip about twice a year. I have a wonderful friend who comes to take care of our animals (and this year we added pygora fiber goats to the mix) but to add dairy goats scares me. I also know that to figure it all out I just need to jump in a just do it! You are the second blog this week that has mentioned this breed of goat! I have done some research, but there are no breeders here in Michigan. This one may involve a road trip to Ohio!! Thanks for all the information, I love your blog!
ReplyDeleteI long for the day we have our "country" home. I want to have goats. I want to make our own goats milk soap.Maybe in a few more years *fingers crossed* Blessings! ~ Nikki
ReplyDeleteI had to laugh at your post today about goats being a large animal---
ReplyDeleteI just never thought of that, and I suppose they are. We've had chickens for over a year and a half and I remember thinking it would 'tie us down' some; and, truthfully, it has. We've travelled a lot in this past and we are into a new season of animals.
In fact, we 'fell into goats' just this week. The breeder couldn't keep all her herd and we have 2 (did I say two!), milking alpines now. It took about 3 weeks of craziness to prepare for them and now they are here.
It is a commitment~but, we have to be here anyways to feed the chickens...I don't know what to say about if we all have to leave together. But, I did tell my teenage son that he should start a side business of animal care for when people leave on vacation because he knows about horses, now goats, chickens, cats & dogs :)
Learning about caring for goats has been a great learning time. Milking is going well. In all honesty it was a little scary the first few days, but now I think we're getting the routine down. A white board with points to follow has helped the kids to cover each item.
My mind is dreaming of chevre, homemade mozzerella, goat soap...
Not to mention having fresh, raw milk :)
Hope all goes well with your family~
Sounds wonderful, Go for it , I would if I could, we live in a small country village and have a good sized property but not big enough for a miniture Hobby farm , thats our future dream. So yeah why not if you have the chance ! Besides I would love to read your adventures with the goats and see photos ! Good luck and have a wonderful day !
ReplyDeleteGoats are such fun! I have nigerian dwarf goats on my very small homestead. They have wonderful personalities and fresh milk is unbeatable.
ReplyDeleteI think you are right to think long and hard before committing, though. Because they are truly a commitment. Leaving the homestead is difficult unless you have people nearby that you trust and who are actually interested in the animals, who can come care for them.
Also, the issue of breeding (most dairy goats are bred each year) can be complicated. If you don't want to keep a buck (we can't), then you have to find one to take your girls to. Of course, if you breed each year you will have babies each year. And while I love the calm regularity of milking, babies are a handful!
But even with all of that, we are completely hooked on goats. I can't imagine waking up and not going out to the barn with our buckets.
Consider nigerian dwarves, or mini's as well :) (mini's are nigerians crossed with a large breed, i like the mini mancha's) And when they say multiple births, ask about that. Stay away from ones that are touted as having quads. Two is good. If they have four (or more!!) you generally have to bottle feed one or two. Most people have to sell the babies and it can be a tough market right now with the cost of hay. You *can* milk through a dwindling period of production where most would re-breed the doe and have her production pick up again if you keep at it. I know several breeders that have been doing this and only breed every 2-3 years.
ReplyDeleteI loved having them, they are such a great addition to a homestead :)
Kathy
Well, I raise and show Alpine dairy goats, so my opinion is obviously biased to them:) I happen to love their size - most of my does are 200# - but they're gorgeous! Some of them also give 2 gallons of milk per day. When we tested our milk, our Alpines and LaManchas combined had a butterfat count as high as our Jersey cow.
ReplyDeleteI recommend Alpines or LaManchas!!
Please make sure that whatever you purchase is from a good breeder that isn't actually selling you a cull. Look closely for a parrot mouth (overbite), double orifices, weak pasturns...you don't want any of that! Ask also about CL and CAE...and look for those things.
Have fun - once you have goats I don't think that you'll regret it:) The time commitment may seem large at first but it has quickly become a highlight of my day and I've been doing this for over 5 years. Milking time is a great time to think and pray.
Thank you for all the wonderful tips, ladies! I knew I could count on ya'll to ring up some good thoughts for consideration. Since we've been looking into this for over two years, it's far from a rash decision, but there is always an unknown factor one overlooks that must be dealt with.
ReplyDeleteRachel, I heard about the Henry Milker and it's a TERRIFIC idea. I hadn't thought about how it would help someone if I were on vacation, but that's an excellent idea!
Jennifer, my daughter started a pet care business for exactly the reasons you mentioned. And it's been going very well! She's getting ready to expand it and I think it might become a family business at some point just to help her keep up.
Heidi & Kathy, there are a lot of people around here raising goats and more each year. One of the benefits of this breed is that we could butcher the extra bucks or culls if necessary and have goat meat (which I like a LOT; tastes great!).
Jenna, we were going to get a Saanen and a LaMancha - both excellent breeds! But I think this might be an easier transition for us. Perhaps it's just psychological for the most part, but I'll keep your advice in mind. Thanks for the reminder about CL and CAE.
LOL i see that there is alots to be said about the Nigerian Dwarf .. I too love love love them for their sweat tasting milk,, and i have a handful that give 4lbs a day,, but the rest fall under 3lbs.. i have added the Oberhasli for their quiet temerment and larger quantities of sweet tasting milk.. for the Nigerian if only keeping a handfull the houseing could be a nice garden shed. or as small as an igloo dog house. found usually on craigslist for almost nothing. the cheese, yogurt, buttermilk and icecream is worth all the cons you could come up with, the companionship is worth gold.. truly an amazing little animals that gives soooo much and expects sooo little in return. And if you don't get any goats from anyother place no matter the breed usually the breeder would house them for you for a long term vaccation.. some others require blood tests and a health certificate to be done but goat sitters can be found.. so please don't let that dictate a wonderful new adventure for you and your family.. not to mention the waste is fantastic for the garden.. it dries and crumbles faster then rabbit so it mixes with the soil soo much faster.
ReplyDeleteI'm as scared as you've ever been!! I would love a goat but all of the reasons you mention - plus I'm not sure my city would go for it - make me REALLY drag my feet. I will, however, read what you do with great interest and maybe even get some nerve up.
ReplyDeleteMy older daughter has a Fainting Goat. It is so cute. She raised it on a bottle. If you have never seen a fainting goat, Google it, they are fun to watch.
ReplyDeleteOoops... No goats in the city with a heart, so I can be of no help when it comes to knowledge of goats.
ReplyDeleteBest of luck with your adventure.
Have a great day.
shug
I love Nigerian Dwarfs but since I'm urban I can't have a goat. Fortunately we plan land in the future. If you're not keen on milking twice a day, what about doing a share with the baby goat. During the night the baby goat stay with the mama and in the AM you separate them and milk in the PM. (or visa versa) This way if you go on vacation when the baby goat is little the baby gets the milk. If not you may want to think about letting your goat dry and then kindling (lol rabbit term) again right before and after vacation time.
ReplyDeleteIf you didn't want milk...I would say go for sheep. No offense to goat people...but they are a pain! They are more flexible and can climb onto and through anything. Sheep are more well mannered : ). They have their moments...but I find them cuter and easier to handle. I gave foster home to a goat once. It lasted a week. David (the goat) destroyed my barn. Goats are more vertically endowed (is that a word: ). They do strange things upwards. Have you considered sheep? Sheep on the other hand are a pain to milk. The udder is hard to find and its just not in their nature to stand still while you milk. I am glad you are considering 4 legged friends. Don't worry about the hooves so much. You will learn as you go. You can never be prepared for everything. Good luck : )
ReplyDeleteweekendfarmer
How very wise to consider all sides of the issue, but there are always the things you didn't think of. Thanks to Heidi for pointing out the exponential herd aspect of a dairy animal that needs to 'freshen' every year! And to Jenna with her tips on lack of soundness to look for. Debbie at Antiquity Oaks http://antiquityoaks.blogspot.com/ blogs extensively about Nigerian Dwarf dairy goats. They are very small too, and lovely as deer.
ReplyDeleteAs for me, I'm doing a handspinning demo at the county fair this evening, and today is 'goat day' at the fair! I will be looking at the goats tonight with even more interest!
On the subject of the Henry Milker, while not too expensive its about 3x the price of the maggidan milker Vicky bought & is happy with: http://www.maggidans.com/milker.htm
ReplyDeleteI'm actually going to borrow hers & see if I can fit the tube into my breastpump (or modify it to work) so that it would be automated & not a hand pump type. :o)
I think I already told you, but despite the fact that I love our LaManchas, if I were to do it over again, I'd go for kinders I think...we may end up there in the end...we're really struggling right now with being so homebound!
Not sure if you know but Terri M. has kinders she's willing to sell reasonably to someone who wants them for milk (in other words she doesn't just want the does to be eaten). Seems like in our area the kinders are great lawn/weed mowers, require no or very little alfalfa, birth with little/no assistance, etc.
~Ginger
Ginger, THAT's what the other milker is called! Thank you! I couldn't remember but I knew Vicky had mentioned one and it wasn't a Henry Milker. Hope to see you tonight and we can talk about Terri's goats!
ReplyDeleteWeekend Farmer, thanks for the suggestions. Actually, I raised sheep in high school. Not too clean and not too bright, BUT, they ARE much easier to manage in terms of containment! And the babies are DARLING, but then again, is there a baby animal that isn't?
I enjoyed learning about kinder goats through this post so much. We've raised a lot of goats in the past and just a couple months ago lost our beloved Lydia who was a registered Saanan. Now we are down to no goats and ... I miss them so much. My favorites are definitely saanans and nubians but we had a LaMancha and a toggenburg that stole my heart as well. Goats are just wonderful farm friends. I'll definitely be looking into your kinder goats when we are ready to purchase more in the future. Thanks for a wonderful post. Lea
ReplyDeleteAmy,
ReplyDeleteI think Kinders are great goats to start with. I had two for a year before I "upgraded" to my LaMancha. There are pro's and cons to both breeds. With our Kinders I never got more than a quart a day. In my family of 5, two Kinders were enough for us to have plenty of milk and some extra to share. But at the time I had the two Kinders I wasn't making cultured dairy.
I decided on the LaMancha not only for milk production but for also for 4H. I thought Dairy goats would be a great animal for Maddy to start with and they are so sweet. I also wanted to be able to sell the offspring. There is generally more money is dairy goats.
I am glad I started with the Kinders but I am also glad I have my LaManchas. Vicky put it this way..Kinders are our insurance policy. If for any reason the economy gets so bad it is difficult to get the feed needed to maintain the special dairy goat diet, we still have our Kinders. In the mean time they can still be used for milk or as mowers.
I know who's goats you are looking at and they are cute. Her's are true Kinders. What Vicky and I have are not really true Kinders but still good goats.
I wish we could have some goats, but we are not allowed to where we live. Hopefully one day I will live in a place where we can. I know my little guy wants one really bad. Good luck with your goats. :)
ReplyDelete~Lynn
I love having fresh goat's milk, no doubt about it! But, we would LOVE to go to the beach for a weekend vacation this summer, but can't find anybody to farm sit for us :( Though it's not just the goats we have to think about, we'd need somebody to feed the chickens as well. I guess that's the price we pay though. With that said, I still think you guys need to get some goats. Seriously. It feels amazing to be one step further toward less dependency on others :)
ReplyDeleteI have always wanted a small Gernsey cow. But I am not sure I want to be strapped to the farm. I have also considered goats... not sure if I would like the taste of the milk but I am looking to try it out. Thanks for the information on this breed! Something to look into!
ReplyDeleteWe love our nigerian Dwarf dairy goats! We have only had them since Feb., but they are part of the family! They are great dairy goats, small size, eat less, less room for housing and are not nearly as rambuctious as most goats. Our first doe is due in 6 weeks! We can't wait!!!
ReplyDeletehere is a post on our goats: http://srkindredspirits.blogspot.com/2011/05/goats.html
I have LaManchas and am looking to invest in a Saanan. You are absolutely right about being confined to home and short trips. I have a series of invitations to go about two hours away and have to see if I can get someone to critter sit and milk for me. I have the Henry Milker also and I love it. But I do agree that it is pricey. I was also trying to figure out how to make it work with a breast pump!
ReplyDeleteI never thought of the Lamanchas as large breed. I have a Jersey steer I bought for $20 as a calf and he is a large breed animal and is now tied out in the field and Hubby moves him from area to area because he tossed me around!
We learn as we go.
Domestic Goddess, glad you're still with us after being roughed up a bit! Because I only have a small portion of my acreage fenced, I'm looking to a small animal. If I had a larger piece of land, say over 10 acres, and money was not a consideration, I'd think about getting a Dexter. Kinders or perhaps Nigerian Dwarfs would be more manageable given our situation.
ReplyDeleteWe have a cow for milk (cheese, butter, yogurt, etc) and I was afraid of the commitment, too, but here's what has worked for us: find a nearby family who would love to homestead, or at least have the benefits of the fresh, healthy products, and get them to do your chores in exchange for some of the surplus. That has worked great for us! :) http://www.homestead-for-sale.blogspot.com/
ReplyDelete