Dwarf or full-size goats?

[Amina]

Hi everyone,
I'm hoping to get a few dairy goats this coming year, and I am having a lot of trouble deciding between Nigerian Dwarf goats versus a full-size breed. My husband and I are buying a 2 acre property and a lot of it is taken up by barns and other outbuildings. Let's say we've got 3/4 acre of mostly grass and a little bit of woods plus plenty of barn space to devote to the goats (we'll also have chickens and maybe ducks, as well as a garden, so the goats won't have the whole property to themselves). What things do I need to consider when choosing?
Thanks!

 

[NH homesteader]

Welcome! You've come to the right place for goat advice! The first thing to consider is how much milk you need and what you want to use it for (drinking, cheese, soapmaking etc.). How many goats do you want to have? Nigerian dwarf goats don't give much milk but it's high butterfat (and delicious!)

I have a few Nigerians and also have some mini alpines, which are a cross between a full size Alpine and a nigerian. I haven't milked them yet but size wise they are perfect. They're in between the two breeds size wise and I'm hoping they give a good amount of milk.

 

[Southern by choice]

We have Standard, Miniature, and Dwarf goats.

There are so many factors but this is what I ask those that are inquiring on my farm...
I would copy paste but don't have time right now.
This is based on our experience-
Personally I love having all 3.
Looking at needs IMO is best.

http://www.winginitfarms.com/what-s-the-right-goat-pt-1

 

[Amina]

I don't think we'll need all that much milk though it's a little difficult to predict. My husband and I were effectively vegan for many years, just because we are uncomfortable with conventional farming. Now we'd like to have a source of dairy from animals that we know had a good life. Anyway, that's why it's hard to predict exactly how much because we eat almost no dairy products right now. I am planning to use the milk mostly for making cheese, but also for drinking and making yogurt. I doubt I'd get into soap-making.

Then again, I said the same thing about only needing a couple of hens for eggs. I now have 13 chickens and I'm planning to add more! lol.

 

[Hens and Roos]

Welcome , lots of great advice on here! x2 on what @NH homesteader mentioned.

We have 4 nigies does and have milked 2 summers now. This fall we added 1 Lamancha doe who we plan to milk this coming year. Not everyone in our house drinks the goat milk but my DS(14) can easily drink half a gallon a day. We like to make cheese and ice cream as well.

 

[Amina]

Hi Southern by Choice, thanks for posting that link. I'm surprised that dwarf and mini goats are listed as having the best feed conversion. That's something that's important to me as of course I'd like to save a little money on feed, but time spent on clean up after milking is also important. Hmm. Maybe the minis are the best compromise.

 

[Amina]

Which breed produces the best tasting milk?

 

[NH homesteader]

Depends on who you ask! And whether you want high or low butterfat content.

 

[Southern by choice]

On my farm I like our Lamanchas milk the best. However let me clarify..
Our one Lamancha has extremely sweet milk with great fat... I don't know why, she just does. Nigerians pretty much are going to have the highest butterfat but IMO that isn't the whole picture. Too much emphasis is put on that IMO. One of our Nigies (she is actually a unregistered doe where all the others are registered) is my coffee creamer girl.

"Trouble" is a Miniature Lamancha and by far is our best dairy goat as far as the wholepackage goat. She is mid size, gives rich creamy milk, stays in lactation for minimum 10 months but will go over a year and as 2nd freshener produces just shy of 8 lbs (just shy of 1 gallon).

We have Lamancha, Nubian, Mini mancha, mini nubian, Nigerian Dwarf, and Kikos. We had an Alpine but sold her.

Everyone who tries Millies milk wants HER (Millie is a Lamancha) and her daughters milk (Trouble).

What you feed also contributes, but each goat's milk will be somewhat different.

Consider you will need about 1 gallon or a little more for a batch of cheese.

Everytime I want to say "such and such" is my favorite breed I can't. This is why I have so many.
Lamanchas however steal my heart! IMO they are the most affectionate and loving they act like dogs.

Feed conversion is also going to vary. Nigerians generally have the best however some will (and this is all breeds) will convert feed to weight and not milk in the pail.

I encourage you to visit some farms take your time and see what best suits you.

Over the years we have had many that see our Lamanchas or Mini manchas that just hate the Lamancha ears yet the more they are around them they fall in love.

Goats are wonderful animals and really I love them all so IMO there is no "one" breed that is the best.

Just be sure to look at farms that are testing for CAE, CL, Johnes.
CL & Johnes are zoonotic.

 

[NH homesteader]

I also can't stick with one breed! I've heard that Lamanchas have the best milk... I've also heard that Nubians do.

I was in love with the idea of Toggenburgs until I read that their milk is very strong and "goaty".

Like Southern said, look around and see what is near you. If you can find a good clean herd to buy from, that's most important. Maybe you can buy some milk to try before you buy goats.

I cut down cheese recipes and make them in smaller batches. Not sure if that works with hard cheeses but it has worked fine for chevre.