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Dairy Goats; Care of and handling milk
Topic Started: Sep 14 2009, 05:37 PM (339 Views)
goatlady

Okay, with a name like goatlady I suppose I'd better get busy sharing some information on dairy goats! If you are looking to become more self-sufficient, then a dairy goat is a perfect animal to acquire for your farm/homestead. They are very happy to browse and eat all your pesky weeds. If there is a run on feed, they will make it on weeds and bark for a while. They can produce up to a gallon of fresh milk a day per goat for your family. My goats are Alpines and produce over a gallon each. I have 3 and only milk once a day, so it's not so confining. I milk early in the morning and get over a gallon and a half every day! You can culture your own buttermilk, yogurt, cheese, kefir, and, contrary to popular belief, you can even get enough cream to make a pound of butter a week! Their milk is the only milk that can be digested easily by every other mammal. We feed the cats, dogs, and occasionally a baby calf just to get rid of the extra ( I can't stand to pour it out). I use is to make soap, as well - it's really good for your skin!

If you're still not convinced, let me tell you that they are delightful animals with funny personalities. I get so much joy sitting on my back porch in the spring watching the new babies run and play king of the mountain on the stumps we put in the pen for them to play on. My six-year-old daughter loves the goats as much as I do, and the joy I get from watching her hold and talk to the baby goats is inexpressible. Oh the joys of country living!!

Now that I've convinced you to get a goat, :D , here are some great websites that give lots of information with pictures about how to take care of goats and how to handle milk. I especially appreciated the site with detailed pictures on kidding when I was helping to deliver my first babies.

http://biology.clc.uc.edu/Fankhauser/Cheese/Cheese.html

http://www.cheesemaking.com/

http://www.fiascofarm.com/

Hopes this helps someone!

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