Ever wondered how much milk a goat produces per day?
Milk production is an essential prerequisite for sustaining a farmstead. Since it is not always easy to have a cow around for milk production due to space and pasture, dairy goats became good substitutes.
Even though milk production is lesser in dairy goats than in cows, with proper nutrition, dairy goats can produce milk that can sustain a farmstead.
On an average scale, a dairy goat produces about three quarts of milk per day. The production of milk varies from one breed of dairy goat to another. According to the Oregon State University Extension Service, a dairy goat can produce 1 1/2 gallons of milk daily during the peak period of lactation and, later in lactation, produce 1 and 2 quarts.
It takes about an average of eight dairy goats to produce the same milk as one. Here, I will show you the best dairy goat breeds you can get for better milk production.
How much milk do goats produce daily?
Below is the best dairy goat breeds for better milk production.
Nigerian Dwarf Goat
The Nigerian Dwarf is a small-sized dairy goat that you can easily raise on your farmstead, as they don’t require a lot of space. Due to their size, they don’t produce plenty of milk.
But their milk is said to be one of the best, as they are high in protein and buttermilk compared to other breeds. You can try getting some female Nigerian dwarf goats to try it out, and they are very friendly with children.
- Lactation days: 305
- Gallons per day: ½
- Liters per day: 1.9
Alpine
Alpine are large goats that are greatly known for their high-quality milk production. They are a healthy set of goats that can easily adapt to different climates.
They don’t need extra care, and attention like some other dairy goats breed.
- Butterfat content: 3.3%
- Lactation days: 288
- Gallons per day: 1 – 2
- Liters per day: 3.8 – 7.5
Saanen
Saanen goats are among the best dairy goats in the world and are found in the Saanen valley in Switzerland. This goat breed produces the most milk and has a long lactation period.
Additionally, they are placid and friendly. You can spot them on the mountains in the Saanen valley, and due to their habitation, they strive more in cooler climates – they don’t grow properly in hot and warm climates.
- Butterfat content: 3.3%
- Lactation days: 290
- Gallons per day: 1½ – 3
- Liters per day: 5.7 – 11
Toggenburg
Toggenburg goats were named after the valley they originated from, the Toggenburg Valley in Switzerland. They are one of the oldest dairy goat breeds in the world.
They are high-producers of milk goats. Additionally, they are sturdy and strive better in cooler climates.
- Butterfat content: 3.1%
- Lactation days: 288
- Gallons per day: 1 ½ – 2
- Liters per day: 5.7 – 7.6
Kiko
The Kiko goat is found in New Zealand and is primarily grown for meat. Like Boer, the Kiko goats have a very fast growth rate; they are bigger and have the probability of producing twins than most goats species.
They are regarded as a moderate producer of milk. Also, they can easily cope in hot and tropical climates.
- Butterfat content: 6.4%
- Lactation days: 180
- Gallons per day: ½ – 1
- Liters per day: 2.9 – 3.8
Boer
The South African Boer goats are primarily grown for their meat because of their high growth rate. As such, are usually big. However, they produce milk in moderate proportions.
- Lactation days: 180
- Gallons per day: ½ – 1
- Liters per day: 2.9 – 3.8
Lamancha
The Lamancha goat is a crossbreed of the Nubian and Spanish goat breeds. They are mostly found in Oregon and the USA and are considered moderate produce of milk.
The Lamancha goats are known for their ability to live in most climates and their unique gopher or elf ears.
- Butterfat content: 3.2%
- Lactation days: 288
- Gallons per day: 1
- Liters per day: 3.8
Angora
Angora goats derived their name from the fact that they came from the Angora region of Turkey. They produce milk in a very low proportion, but it is very high in butterfat.
In addition, they are grown for their hide, as they are covered with thick coats, which makes them difficult to grow properly in cold, damp climates.
- Gallons per day: ½ – 1
- Liters per day: 2.9 – 3.8
- Lactation days: 180
Nubian
Nubian goats are England dairy goats grown for milk and meat. They are big goats with a longer breeding season than most goats, and they do better in warm to moderate climates.
Nubians are quite large, but they don’t produce large quantities of milk, but their milk is very high in butterfat.
- Gallons per day: 1
- Liters per day: 3.8
- Lactation days: 288
- Butterfat content: 4.9%
Oberhasli
The Oberhasli is a medium-sized, strong Swiss mountain goat with quite a medium to high milk production. The Oberhasli goats are renowned for their unique black and tan coats called “chamoisee.”
- Butterfat content: 3.7%
- Lactation days: 290
- Gallons per day: 1 – 1 ½
- Liters per day: 3.8-5.7
Pygmy
The pygmy is a small-sized dairy goat from Africa and is famous for its ability to resist parasites and diseases. They are very strong goats that adapt easily to any climate and are very friendly.
The pygmy goats, because of their size, produce small quantities of milk, but their milk is rich and highly qualitative.
- Lactation days: 180
- Gallons per day: ½
- Liters per day: 2.9 – 3.8
Spanish Goats
As the name implies, they are of Spanish origin, but they live in large quantities in the USA. The Spanish goats are moderate to high milk producers and adapt well to the climatic nature of the country. Also, they can cope well with poor pasture.
- Lactation days: 284
- Gallons per day: 1 – 1 ½
- Liters per day: 3.8-5.7
Tennessee Fainting Goats
Tennessee Fainting Goats are scared goats that are named after their condition. Their limbs easily lock up, and this makes them faint.
Tennessee Fainting goats produce moderate quantities of milk and can adapt well to all climates. Also, they are excellent mothers.
- Gallons per day: 1
- Liters per day: 3.8
- Lactation days: 150
Do Goats Produce Milk Without Being Pregnant?
The only way to get milk from your dairy goat is when she gets pregnant and gives birth to her kids. When lactating, her body produces milk to feed the baby goat. Dairy goats have been bred to produce more milk than their kids would require.
To milk throughout the year, you’ll need at least two mature does (female goats). Get a male goat and let them live together on the farmstead.
After a while, the female goats will get pregnant simultaneously, and you can milk them one after the other. This is because goats need some time off from milking so as not to affect their health. So ensure to draft a milking schedule and consider the wellness of your goats.
How Long Do Goats Produce Milk?
Averagely a dairy goat produces milk for about ten months after kidding. The lactation period varies from one dairy goat to another. It is recommended that a goat should have at least two months off from milking before she gives birth.
This allows her to repair and build up a good supply of milk and colostrum to feed the new little ones. Additionally, she needs to reserve her energy for the last stage of her pregnancy instead of using it to produce milk.
This is why you need two mature does to have milk throughout the year on the farmstead. You can plan their pregnancies to be around two months apart. If you do this, you won’t have a break or stoppage in milk production on your farmstead.
How Often Do You Milk a Goat?
You can milk your goats regularly, which helps them produce more milk. It would be best if you only milked her once daily when the kids are still feeding.
When the kids are weaned, you can start to milk her twice a day, usually within 12 hours intervals, so that the goats get enough rest and restoration before you return.
Once the kids are two weeks old, you can gradually start separating them from their mother overnight and introduce them to solid food. This helps the doe’s udder have a chance to fill up with milk quickly.
Always try to milk her first thing in the morning before you return the kids to their mother so they can access her milk throughout the day.
How To Improve the Milk Production of Your Goat
If you want your goat to produce enough milk, you should be ready to feed it properly. You must ensure that your doe has adequate grains and high-quality forage.
Also, try feeding her concentrated food once or twice a day. This is very important when she is milking, as it will create a distraction that can keep your doe calm for the session.
While milking, ensure you follow good hygiene practices. Ensure you wash and clean the equipment and everything you use throughout the milking process. Don’t forget to wash your hands; doe’s udder should be clean.
Immediately you are done milking, chill the milk to prevent the formation of harmful bacteria in the milk. If you are a milk dealer, ensure you follow the local regulation on refinement to refine the milk to sell it out.
Conclusion
Rearing dairy goats is one vital way of producing milk from your farmstead. One of the main things to consider when choosing a dairy goat is the amount and quality of the milk it produces. Go for the one that suits your milk need, and that can fit into your climate.
You need to know that a proper diet is vital for your dairy goat, as a lack of it can greatly affect the milk production in the doe. Avoid starving the goats either.
Never milk your goat more than twice a day no matter the amount of milk it produces, and the milking should be done 12 hours apart, nothing less than this.
