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Offline Kathyp

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milk goat
« on: April 21, 2008, 09:31:59 pm »
as much as i hate goats, i am thinking about a milk goat.  this would be a new adventure.  any suggestions would be gratefully received!  i also had considered miniature cows, but don't know much about them either.  they seem to be a popular thing in Texas.    i am not a big cow fan either but at least have kept them in the past.

i know you can make cheese from goats milk.  can you make butter?
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Offline poka-bee

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Re: milk goat
« Reply #1 on: April 21, 2008, 10:06:51 pm »
Goats would be easier to feed than cows & they are smaller they won't tear the pasture up QUITE as quickly.  They are a handful though personality wise.  Cows will go through a fence, goats will find the tiniest weirdest way to climb, crawl, shimmy, jump out of the pasture. There is tons of info on the different types of goats & which are for milk.  I am personally fond of toggenburgs, they look like little deer to me, are mid sized so easier to handle than say the alpines. La Mancha are very sweet.  I like the sounds any goats make other than pygmy!  I havn't but there isn't any reason that I know of except for the size of the fat globlues that you wouldn't be able to make butter, others might know!  Good luck!  Jody
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Offline Kathyp

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Re: milk goat
« Reply #2 on: April 21, 2008, 11:15:51 pm »
ya, cows are pretty stupid.  used to keep them, but have friends who raise and butcher, so i just buy parts now  :-)

was thinking that being a bit more self-sufficient might be called for.  as much as i hate goats, i don't need a big milk cow.  i don't mind goats milk. 

thought this might be cool. 

http://www.minicattlecountry.com/
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Offline poka-bee

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Re: milk goat
« Reply #3 on: April 21, 2008, 11:38:28 pm »
Oh, they are soooo cuutee!  I don't trust cows though...they look so placid they must be planning something evil like stompling me..maybe I'm projecting my own personality onto them.. :roll:
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Offline Cindi

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Re: milk goat
« Reply #4 on: April 22, 2008, 12:48:06 am »
Kathy, go, girl, go!!!  I can't stand goat's milk though, hee, hee.  I used to have two Nubien nannies and man, did I get an intense dislike for goats' milk, ich.  But, you will get used to it, yeah!!!  I got rid of them because of the mischief that they got into, and I didn't want to bother with that nuisance anymore.

I would give my kingdom to have a milking cow.  I was raised on real, raw cow's milk and we used to have a Jersey, Candy was her name.  I have spoken of this ol' gal before.  There is nothing on earth like the taste of raw cow's milk.  Yes, I know about the health issues of raw cow's milk, I say no more.

Our neighbour has a cow that is going to be calfing soon.  I asked her if she would sell me cow's milk and told her of my love for this product, I haven't had any in many, many years, and I yearn for it.  She refused, said it is against the law, (and yes it is here).  BUT.....she offered that now and then I could milk her cow for her and give her a break.  She told me that she didn't know how to milk a cow.  I told her I would show her, if..........so I think my dream will come true.  I will be only one drinking the milk, I am stingy and the rest can drink the store bought stuff, it is good too, but sweet, sweet, milk, right from the cow, of course, handled properly and cooled properly as well.  Good luck Kathy!!!!  Best of this beautiful and great day, Cindi
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Offline JP

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Re: milk goat
« Reply #5 on: April 22, 2008, 12:56:13 am »
Cindi, we could be partners in crime cause I would be right there with you slurpin' up that fresh, raw cow's milk! I love whole milk with the cream on top! Fresh, I can't even imagine how good that must be.

I really like goat cheese, especially on fried green tomato sandwhiches!


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Offline Kathyp

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Re: milk goat
« Reply #6 on: April 22, 2008, 01:10:18 am »
the only people who get sick on raw milk are city folks.  if they'd get dirty and stop disinfecting things all the time, they could drink the stuff  :-)  to much milk in a full size cow for the two of us  :-(
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Offline Cindi

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Re: milk goat
« Reply #7 on: April 22, 2008, 09:44:44 am »
Kathy, I agree, we eat dirt here all the time on the farm.  That sounded kind of weird.  But we do, we don't disinfect much around here, why bother?  Germs are germs, good germs are good germs too, and mostly good germs around here, hee, hee.

The only people around here that I would not give raw cow's milk to would be the foster children.  The government is pretty sticky about what is fed/drank etc., let alone raw milk, gotta be careful with stuff.  But we could easily consume 2 gallons of milk daily around here with all the people, it would also be economical.  We'll see, I haven't closed the door yet on a milker, a Jersey, of course, the pretty brown eyes keep me yearing for the visual too.  And high butter fat with this breed, lots of butter, cheese, cottage cheese, and yes of course, ice cream!!!  Beautiful and more beautiful day, Cindi
There are strange things done in the midnight sun by the men who moil for gold.  The Arctic trails have their secret tales that would make your blood run cold.  The Northern Lights have seen queer sights, but the queerest they ever did see, what the night on the marge of Lake Lebarge, I cremated Sam McGee.  Robert Service

Offline Bennettoid

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Re: milk goat
« Reply #8 on: April 22, 2008, 04:38:47 pm »
ya, cows are pretty stupid.  used to keep them, but have friends who raise and butcher, so i just buy parts now  :-)

was thinking that being a bit more self-sufficient might be called for.  as much as i hate goats, i don't need a big milk cow.  i don't mind goats milk. 

thought this might be cool. 

http://www.minicattlecountry.com/

I didn't know there was such a thing!!

Gonna show this to my wife.

Offline Kathyp

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Re: milk goat
« Reply #9 on: April 22, 2008, 08:48:52 pm »
i really liked this part.

3) Size - If you purchase a short Dairy cow, be aware it maybe necessary to build a milking platform for your cow to stand on for milking. This will save a lot of back ache if you are hand milking. As a short cow with a large utter puts the milking handles very close to the ground.
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Offline Brian D. Bray

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Re: milk goat
« Reply #10 on: April 24, 2008, 02:04:51 am »
Get some pygmy goats. They will still put out about a quart of milk for each doe per milking which should be plenty for 2-3 people.  I'm seriously considering switching from Toggenburg crosses to pygmy goats.  A milking platform can be as simple as a 2X8 about 3 feet long with an upright 2X4 at one end with a feed station.  A small rope or chain to hold the goat while milking (about 10 minutes) and your good to go.  You can train the goat to stand on the milking stand prior to milking by making the only place she gets her daily grain--about 1 tuna can full.  If you like you can get a small bright metal bucket from the paint section of your local hardware store for 3-4 dollars and milk directly into the jar.  Jeffers Livestock Catalog does carry milking machines for goats and pasturizers.
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Offline Kathyp

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Re: milk goat
« Reply #11 on: April 24, 2008, 07:23:27 pm »
the goat may be the way to go.  most of my friends are not big milk drinkers and their kids are grown.  don't think i could even give the excess away.
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Offline HAB

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Re: milk goat
« Reply #12 on: April 24, 2008, 11:27:12 pm »
Do the miniature cattle have the same birthing problems as miniature horses.

Offline Kathyp

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Re: milk goat
« Reply #13 on: April 25, 2008, 12:21:02 am »
that was my first question also!  the guy i talked to said they do not.  he only had to pull one calf last year.  i don't remember how many he said he had.  it was a good number.  one pulled is not bad.
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Offline thomashton

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Re: milk goat
« Reply #14 on: April 25, 2008, 12:47:48 pm »
Go with the goats. I love goats. They are naughty and ill behaved but that is part of the fun of them. I don't know how many bad words have come out of my mouth in dealing with them as they've eaten the poultry feed in the winter, gotten out of fences, eaten things they shouldn't, stripped bark off of trees, head butted me in the groin etc etc etc. But I still love them.

Plus, for a small family, you can't go wrong with the amount of milk you'll get. Make sure you have at least two goats as they are herd animals and will cry if left alone and be depressed. The other doesn't have to be a fresh milker though. It can be a dry doe or wether or whatever.

You'll have plenty of milk to experiment with for cheese, butter, yoghurt, ice cream etc etc etc.
Have fun. You'll love the personalities of goats.
After 18 months of reading and preparation, my girls finally arrived on April 11th (2006)!

Offline Kathyp

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Re: milk goat
« Reply #15 on: April 25, 2008, 02:01:24 pm »
i have had goats in the past.  swore i'd never do it again!  i think the Nubians might be nicer than those mutt meat goats. not only were they into everything, they were hard to handle.  not mean, but very assertive.
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Offline HAB

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Re: milk goat
« Reply #16 on: April 25, 2008, 03:01:54 pm »
Also had Nubians, raised my oldest Daughter on the milk.  They can be (not always) very gentle, and the kids loved to play with them.  Have thought about getting some more.  Gonna have to look into an inexpensive  milking machine first.  The joints won't take milking any more.
Learned early to keep the bill in his own pen.  Nearly all our bills were big enough to hurt someone with an unexpected butt as were the older does.  :)

Offline superhoney

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Re: milk goat
« Reply #17 on: May 01, 2008, 04:36:52 pm »
We run 15 Boer/Nubian Nannies and 25 kids at the moment. We (my better half and I) have started a dairy herd with a Full Nubian, and a Nubian/Toggenburg mix, yep just 2. We would like to start making cheese and soap next year at some point and get off of store-bought milk and the unknown that entails.

The Boer Billy is kept in his pen, which is made of heavy pipes all welded up to 6' so he can't tear it down. But he beats on the covered enclosure in there enough to have to rebuild it every couple of years. He's got a wether for a roommate and quite frequently reenacts Oz, the cable show, not the cute one with the witches.

So far the two little ones we have are growing steadily, and we pet and handle them alot so they get used to it for milking etc. The milking stand is in our future as soon as my welding skills are a little more precise (another topic). We do use a head gate w/treats for shots, hoof clipping etc on the Boers, it's just not off the ground like a milk stand.

Our herd will have horns though, which is something to think about. Some can't bring themselves to burn them off (they scream like you're killing a human baby, you think I'm kidding) and will put up with the dangers of horns in the goats later life, and to some it is an absolute to take them off for safety reasons for them and for you while handling them. Personally I like the built in handles if I need to grab them for something or tie them to something. But then I've never been gored so far over the years of weekend goat rustling so I might think that.

Oops getting too long.

Hope this helps, I've been around them for years, but it is new living out here and handling day to day stuff with them. They are entertaining though, and they do have their personalities.

Take care,
Superhoney

Offline doak

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Re: milk goat
« Reply #18 on: May 01, 2008, 08:23:13 pm »
Speaking of fried green tomatoes, I live about 25 miles from where the movie was filmed. ;) :)doak

Offline dpence

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Re: milk goat
« Reply #19 on: May 01, 2008, 08:36:08 pm »
Nigerian Dwarf goats are said to be very good as far as milk production.  My wife and I have two registered nannies that we are having bred soon.  They are just a year old and very gentle and inexpensive to raise.

David 

Offline superhoney

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Re: milk goat
« Reply #20 on: May 01, 2008, 11:54:08 pm »
Forgot to answer the thread's question earlier (sorry): yep you can make butter, each different type of goat has higher or lower butterfat content but it doesn't seperate like cow milk, so a seperator is preferred and they can seem expensive. It's something else I'm shopping for this summer/fall/winter...

<joke coming> I found an antique goat powered one on sale for $2200 and they will deliver! Here is the link: http://www.allnutts.com/pages/butterchurns.html

We are looking forward to our 2 little ones maturing enough to start, next season.

And no cows for us..too much poop.

Superhoney!



Offline WV Hillbilly

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Re: milk goat
« Reply #21 on: May 12, 2008, 02:27:40 am »
     I had nubian milk goats for quite a while . Electric fences are the way to go with
goats . I had no problem at all drinking goats milk . Made butter & several different
cheeses . Had a seperator . If anyone within driving distance of you has a buck , the
best thing to do would be to take the does & get them bred . Buck goats are nasty
critters . You might check around to see if anyone in your area has milk goats & a
buck & get the same breed so you could use their buck . I usually had to pay a small
fee for breeding . I didn't want horns so I disbudded the kids when they were small .
About 10 seconds on each bud with a hot disbudding iron . The kids would squall a
little but was fine as soon as it was over . Hoof triming must be done regularly and
the part I disliked the most . Not really a problem but something you need to keep
on top of .

Offline Kathyp

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Re: milk goat
« Reply #22 on: October 15, 2009, 07:16:15 pm »
resurrecting an old topic!!

i want to get the mini-milker in the spring.  looking to see if anyone knows of a reputable mini dealer within a couple of states of me.  i know there is a guy in idaho that does a lot of business in oregon, but i'd like to investigate  more than one breeder.

thanks!!
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Offline Natalie

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Re: milk goat
« Reply #23 on: October 18, 2009, 11:51:46 am »
Kathy, can't anwer any of your other questions but you could make real nice soap with the extra goat's milk.
Their milk can also be frozen until you get around to doing something with it.
Good luck with your endeavor. :) I am envious.

Offline Cindi

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Re: milk goat
« Reply #24 on: October 18, 2009, 11:57:41 am »
Kathy, what do you want to do with a goat?  Maybe you should get an angora one, that way you could spin wool and make cheese.  I cannot stand goat's milk.  Think I may have posted this before.  But I had two Nubians, milked them, one time drank some Kahlua and goat's milk.  Had the most horrible goaty burps the next day, can't stand goat's milk to this day.....ich, oops, my bad, off topic I am sure, sorry, just a'ramblin' gal.  Beautiful days, to live and love, to find and keep great health. Cindi
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Offline Kathyp

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Re: milk goat
« Reply #25 on: October 18, 2009, 12:11:26 pm »
cindi, i think this conversation was started before jody got her cows.  i have kind of given up the goat thing because my husband is not a goats milk fan.  i'm back to the mini milker cow.  it's to much milk, but i think that's what i want to do anyway.  just have to find a good place.  apparently no all minis are created =  !
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Offline tshnc01

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Re: milk goat
« Reply #26 on: October 18, 2009, 12:12:34 pm »
Kathy,

Our family has had dairy goats for a few years and it has been an EXTREMELY positive experience.  Here are my thoughts:  

Some goats tend to produce milk that has a "cleaner" taste than others (even within a given breed).  Ideally you can sample the milk before you buy the doe.  Also, I have noticed some variability in taste due to what the goats have been eating.  Sometimes when they are more focused on leaves and tree buds the milk seems a bit bitter and tannic.  The breed that we have is called Oberhasli (it is fairly common and was formely called Swiss Alpine).  

Goats need structure to their routine (especially milking goats) and also are very social so you must have more than one (or a pet that will pretend it is a goat - if not, you get to become a goat).  For what it is worth (and I don't have lots of goat breeding experience), consider getting a breed that is common enough to make finding a Billy for hire easy.  Even if you aren't trying to do purebred, registered, blah, blah, blah, the kids are easier to sell if they aren't mutts.

...Tim

Offline Kathyp

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Re: milk goat
« Reply #27 on: October 18, 2009, 12:35:29 pm »
thanks tim.  i like goats milk and products.  i think  my  husband would get over it.  my problem with goats is behavior!  i have never met a goat that i really liked......

the only drawback to all this is that it would be hard to take vacations together.  we do manage to get away together once a  year or so.  most other times we are gone one at a time. 

Someone really ought to tell them that the world of Ayn Rand?s novel was not meant to be aspirational.

Offline tshnc01

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Re: milk goat
« Reply #28 on: October 18, 2009, 02:00:00 pm »
Taste-wise we really can't tell much difference in goat vs. cow milk (that is if the goats haven't eaten something odd).

And I know what you mean about vacations....Teaching someone to milk (so you can get away) is a lot harder than explaining how to just feed/water an animal.

...Tim

Offline Cindi

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Re: milk goat
« Reply #29 on: October 18, 2009, 11:49:11 pm »
Kathy,
Our family has had dairy goats for a few years and it has been an EXTREMELY positive experience.  Here are my thoughts:  
 very social so you must have more than one (or a pet that will pretend it is a goat - if not, you get to become a goat).  For what it is worth...Tim

Tim, OK my imagination wanders, I am picturing you as pretending to be that goat, eeks, that brings a huge smile to my face, and I love to smile, that brings me up and makes it all good, smiling. Have that greatfully most wonderful day, health.  Cindi
There are strange things done in the midnight sun by the men who moil for gold.  The Arctic trails have their secret tales that would make your blood run cold.  The Northern Lights have seen queer sights, but the queerest they ever did see, what the night on the marge of Lake Lebarge, I cremated Sam McGee.  Robert Service

Offline JP

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Re: milk goat
« Reply #30 on: October 19, 2009, 12:40:43 am »
I love goat's milk!


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Offline LSBees

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Re: milk goat
« Reply #31 on: October 19, 2009, 08:00:33 pm »
We tried a smaller but full size Jersey cow, she was a moody nightmare and stinky, we traded her in for a pair of great Alpine goats. The goats are much easier to handle, eat less, aren't smelly like the cow, yes they are playfull and energetic but also friendly and fun!

Offline Brian D. Bray

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Re: milk goat
« Reply #32 on: October 20, 2009, 11:17:26 pm »
If you do choose to have a billy, as I do, fence your pasture so that your sire and your dames are not in the same pasture.  Billy goats, sooner or later, develop the bad habit of urinating in their beards and they like to rub it all over everything, including the does and your clothes.  This taints the milk giving it a sour beer taste.
I currently have 2 Taugenburg does due to fresh between now and Thanksgiving as well as 2 Colombian/Romney cross sheep due to freshen around Christmas time.

I currently have them all running together along with the cheviot ram and Boer/Nubian buck.  That's not a good choice because the males can endanger the new kids and lambs when they are newborns.  I was forced to do that because I had to reseed and regrow the 1st pasture because it had gotten over grazed before I got the larger pasture fence finished.  Previous to finishing the fence around the larger pasture I was feeding them primarily hay with what ever grazing the could get on the 1st pasture.

Come spring I will finish the orchard fence and have a 3rd pasture available at which time the ram and buck will be run on the regrown 1st pasture, seperate from the does and ewes and the ladies turned in with the sires once a year.
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Offline annette

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Re: milk goat
« Reply #33 on: October 22, 2009, 12:46:31 am »
Speaking of fried green tomatoes, I live about 25 miles from where the movie was filmed. ;) :)doak

Off topic, but that was one of my favorite movies.

Offline Brian D. Bray

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Re: milk goat
« Reply #34 on: October 22, 2009, 01:17:55 am »
Quote
Dazey Butter Churn 4 Quart orginal glass jar .

Used to work one of those every saturday when a lad back on the farm.  Made the butter for the family for a week.

I've found billy goats to be more of a nusance than a problem.  When I work with my air tools in a area the billy is he chews holes in the air hose, when I try to dig a hole in the pasture he's in he stands where I'm trying to dig.  If I'm hand pounding nails (so as to save air hose) he either bites the buttons off my clothes or overturns the bucket of nails.  Things like that.

I think I could better money for any goats I sell if I were to advertize them as organic law mowers and provide a pet anchor and tether with it.
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Offline poka-bee

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Re: milk goat
« Reply #35 on: October 22, 2009, 09:23:17 pm »
Brian, my whether was a pest too, much more so than my does.  Lets not forget that the Billy's STINK!!  Ohhhh man do they smell!  Cindi will attest to that!  And the smell stays on things forever and 5 days!  When that billy got into my pasture the barn stunk for months as did my doe!  Skunks smell better.  It is the type of smell you never forget, like something dead, you always remember.  Much better to take your does to be bred if there is a billy available!
just my 2cents worth! :-D
Jody
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Offline Cindi

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Re: milk goat
« Reply #36 on: October 22, 2009, 11:37:17 pm »
  Lets not forget that the Billy's STINK!!  Ohhhh man do they smell!  Cindi will attest to that!  And the smell stays on things forever and 5 days!  :-D
Jody

Oh boy, Jody, do I have comments, but for the time being, until I get around to it, it will have to lie, like sleeping dogs, smiling.  Remember the billy and the barbeque at the end of last summer.  Have wonderful and most beautiful day, health.  Cindi
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Offline poka-bee

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Re: milk goat
« Reply #37 on: October 23, 2009, 02:17:07 pm »
Oh Cindi, I get a smile on my face every time I think of that!  The blank "what?" look on the guys faces as we girls were totally grossed out!! That day was a bright spot in my life being with you guys!
Jody




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Offline Bee Happy

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Re: milk goat
« Reply #38 on: October 23, 2009, 04:06:05 pm »
We tried a smaller but full size Jersey cow, she was a moody nightmare and stinky, we traded her in for a pair of great Alpine goats. The goats are much easier to handle, eat less, aren't smelly like the cow, yes they are playfull and energetic but also friendly and fun!


I've heard that jerseys hands down give the best milk though - and was thinking that a mini jersey that gave about a half gallon a day might be the ticket. (a moody mini may not be as much a problem as comic relief, but of course I can't swear to it.)

I'm surprised no one mentioned goat cheese - that's supposed to be some kind of uber yuppie treat. (maybe yuppies can be trained with bits of goat cheese)
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Offline Lone

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Re: milk goat
« Reply #39 on: October 23, 2009, 08:56:42 pm »
Why do folk have Dexters? 

Too poor to own a real cow and too proud to have a goat.




:)

Offline poka-bee

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Re: milk goat
« Reply #40 on: October 23, 2009, 11:36:08 pm »
Lone I have had both.  I loved my Dexter and the milk was way better than goats milk.  Goats milk in my coffee & on my cereal just didn't do it..not to forget butter, whipped and ice cream! :-D  And yes, too poor to own a cow or a goat now! :evil:
Jody
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Offline Brian D. Bray

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Re: milk goat
« Reply #41 on: October 26, 2009, 07:04:09 pm »
Why do folk have Dexters? 

Too poor to own a real cow and too proud to have a goat.




:)

Actually mini's cost more than their full sized counterparts.  The hobby or gentleman farmer has mini's the real but poor farmer labors are fulled sized.
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Offline poka-bee

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Re: milk goat
« Reply #42 on: October 27, 2009, 02:11:47 pm »
Brian you are right about the initial cost but the feed, conversion & impact on small pastures is way less with small animals. Not to mention at 5'2" and 110# it is much easier for me to wrangle a 5-800# animal that stands 43" compared to a 1000-1500# 50-60 " one!  ;)

Jody
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Offline Kathyp

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Re: milk goat
« Reply #43 on: October 27, 2009, 02:25:57 pm »
+ i have no use for the amount of milk that i'd get from a full size milker.  even a mini would probably give me more than i need.
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Offline tshnc01

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Re: milk goat
« Reply #44 on: November 17, 2009, 08:00:09 pm »
Well, we ended up selling our dairy goats recently and just bought a Jersey cow.  As I said before, I liked the goat milk; however my family didn't seem to enjoy it quite as much (especially this year, it seemed more goaty).