Selecting the Best Dairy Goat Breeds - Backyard Goats (2024)

FAQs

Selecting the Best Dairy Goat Breeds - Backyard Goats? ›

Nubians and Nigerian Dwarfs typically have the mildest, sweetest and highest butterfat milk, with Nigerians being the highest in fat and sweetest of all. Swiss breeds such as Toggenburgs, Saanens, and Alpines typically have lower butterfat milks that tend to be a bit more “goaty” or musky.

Nubian, Saanen, Alpine, Nigerian Dwarf and La Mancha breeds are great for this. Nigerian Dwarf will produce less because of the goats' smaller size, but they also make a great addition if you have a small farm or even a large backyard. The larger animals, such as Nubians will produce more milk.

The Saanen (Figure 1) is widely recognized as the world's best developed and highest milk-producing breed. It has been called and compared among goat breeds to the Holstein Friesian dairy cattle breed, because of their high level of daily milk yield and relatively low level of milk fat content.

Sannen goat is the queen of Dairy goat, it gives around 2.5 liters of milk in a day.

Do some homework before selecting a breed. There are many breeds, but only a handful are commonly considered the best goats for milk — such as Alpine, Saanen, Oberhasli, and Toggenburg goats that originated in the Swiss mountains. These breeds do well in cooler climates. Nubian goats do well in hot summers.

When judging, the ADGA licensed judge is required to evaluate the dairy goat based on four major categories: General Appearance, Dairy Strength, Body Capacity, and Mammary System.

You're looking for a doe with body capacity and dairy character. For a doe to milk well over a long lifetime, she'll need to have a well-attached udder. Udders without much attachment tend to flop around, get stepped on, and generally are more prone to injury and disease than udders that have strong attachments.

A goat should have a strong, level top and a long rump with a slight slope from hooks to pins. The goat should be heavy boned and strong on the pasterns. The feet and legs should be straight and spaced square and wide under the goat. You should avoid goats that are post-legged or cow-hocked.

Kiko goats are also known for being a low maintenance breed.

What is the easiest goat for beginners? ›

The Kiko breed was developed to be a low input goat. They are easy keepers, require very little extra maintenance as they tend to be more parasite resistant, hearty, and have fewer hoof issues. Kikos tend to have strong maternal instincts, and good milk production for raising kids.

Which goats are best for brush clean up? Our top three choices are Alpine, Boer, and Pygmy. Spanish and Kiko breeds are also great browsers. Consider the size and temperament of the goats, as well as their ability to thrive in the local climate.

Nubians and Nigerian Dwarfs typically have the mildest, sweetest and highest butterfat milk, with Nigerians being the highest in fat and sweetest of all. Swiss breeds such as Toggenburgs, Saanens, and Alpines typically have lower butterfat milks that tend to be a bit more “goaty” or musky.

Nigerian Dwarf Goat

They are excellent milkers for their size. They weigh an average of around 70 pounds (that's 15 pounds less than our Golden Retriever) and stand on average about 21 inches high. Nigerian Dwarfs can produce up to a half gallon of milk a day.

The Kiko breed was developed to be a low input goat. They are easy keepers, require very little extra maintenance as they tend to be more parasite resistant, hearty, and have fewer hoof issues. Kikos tend to have strong maternal instincts, and good milk production for raising kids.

One or two goats can furnish fresh milk for a family on a year-round basis. Surplus milk can be used for butter or cheese or to raise other young animals. Goat's milk is sometimes recommended for infants or elderly persons since it is easily digestible.

Goats are obviously more economical than a cow, but what about the milk? Goat milk is also more healthy, easy to digest, and tastes wonderful if the goat is well treated, healthy, and kept properly.

Goats are hardy animals that are easy to keep. They forage well on less-than-ideal pasture for cattle and are inexpensive to keep. 2 They're much smaller and easier to handle than cows. And as highly intelligent, friendly farm animals,3 they're a good animal to have around.