Understanding Dairy Goat Lacation's
What Makes a Good Milker?
What Makes a Good Milker?
All too often I hear of people who got into Dwarf Dairy Goat's with great expectations only to be let down. I have to admit all the information can be really confusing and it doesn't help the term "From Great Milking Lines" is put in nearly every sale ad! Top it off not all Milk Stars on a pedigree are created equal and so few herds actually milk test or even milk their own goats!!!
I have been on year round milk test for the last 5 years. I usually have goats in milk year round . I send in milk samples to a lab every month. Below is some information I have seen over the years. I hope that regardless of your goals this can help you.
Please keep in mind the information below is what I have noticed. My standards and expectations may be different from other breeders.
I have been on year round milk test for the last 5 years. I usually have goats in milk year round . I send in milk samples to a lab every month. Below is some information I have seen over the years. I hope that regardless of your goals this can help you.
Please keep in mind the information below is what I have noticed. My standards and expectations may be different from other breeders.
Types of Production I have seen in Nigerian Dwarf Goats.
#1: The one Dairy Goat Breeders are after! These top milkers are the one's that come in strong at 4 to 5lbs of milk (or more!) These goats keep milking strong and have a very slow decline in production. You can move them or take them to shows and they just keep milking strong. You can put them on once per day milking and they drop very little production. These goats tend to be hard to find but they do exist. Even harder to find is top milker's that also have excellent structure and appraisal scores. Very hard to find, but they do exist!
(An example would be a doe who milks 5lbs daily at 30 days fresh. Then 3lbs at 90 days fresh. Then 2.5lbs at 170 days fresh.)
#2: The ones who come in strong but fade out. These goats may come in at 4-5 lbs of milk but they just can't hold the lactation. Somewhere around 2-3 months they have a huge decline. In my opinoin these does are OK but obviously not as favorable as #1 and #3 type productions. For those who keep kids on the dam, these kids grow great but when you are ready to pull the kids and milk you don't get a lot for your effort.
(An example would be a doe who milks 4lbs daily at 30 days fresh. Then 1.5bs at 90 days fresh. Then 1.0lbs at 170 days fresh.)
#3: Nice and steady milkers! I really like these does! Obviously, I would prefer dose that fall in the #1 category but they are few and far between. However, these does seem to be easier to find and I have a high appreciation for them. These are does I would love in my breeding program! These does don't look too exciting at first but the hold very steady in their production. A lot of times you can move them or show them and they just keep on going.
(An example would be a doe who milks 3lbs daily at 30 days fresh. Then still at 3lbs at 90 days fresh. Then 2 lbs at 170 days fresh.)
#4: Below Average Milkers: These are does that disappoint me. You can milk them but you are putting so much food into them with so little return. They can usually feed their kids for 2-3 months but that's about it. I have rotated through many milkers and found that this type of milker is way too common! I would say I have seen 2X as many of these milkers then types #1 & #3 combined. Sadly, if your not on milk test and don't milk your does daily these can hide in any breeding program. They can raise their kids just fine but that's about it.
(An example would be a doe who milks 3lbs daily at 30 days fresh. Then down to 1 lb (or LESS) at 90 days fresh. IF the doe stays in milk to 170 days she may be down to 0.5lb of milk daily, or less!)
#5: A doe who can't raise her own kids! Yep! They do exist! I've seen a few. These does should be put in PET ONLY homes but that's just my opinion. Some people will just bottle feed their kids and keep breeding them but you are just putting those poor milk genes back into the gene pool. It's one thing where a mom can't feed 3 - 5 kids, she may just not be a "great" milker. However, I have seen does who could not feed ONE or TWO kids! This is just NOT exceptable! Yet some breeders keep breeding them. This seems more common in breeders who breed for color but they can show up anywhere. I've seen does who only milked 0.5lbs at 30 days fresh out of a CHAMPION line!!!!
(An example would be a doe who milks UNDER 1lb of milk at 30 days fresh. Likely they won't be in milk at 90 days but if they are it's usually 0.5lbs or less)
#1: The one Dairy Goat Breeders are after! These top milkers are the one's that come in strong at 4 to 5lbs of milk (or more!) These goats keep milking strong and have a very slow decline in production. You can move them or take them to shows and they just keep milking strong. You can put them on once per day milking and they drop very little production. These goats tend to be hard to find but they do exist. Even harder to find is top milker's that also have excellent structure and appraisal scores. Very hard to find, but they do exist!
(An example would be a doe who milks 5lbs daily at 30 days fresh. Then 3lbs at 90 days fresh. Then 2.5lbs at 170 days fresh.)
#2: The ones who come in strong but fade out. These goats may come in at 4-5 lbs of milk but they just can't hold the lactation. Somewhere around 2-3 months they have a huge decline. In my opinoin these does are OK but obviously not as favorable as #1 and #3 type productions. For those who keep kids on the dam, these kids grow great but when you are ready to pull the kids and milk you don't get a lot for your effort.
(An example would be a doe who milks 4lbs daily at 30 days fresh. Then 1.5bs at 90 days fresh. Then 1.0lbs at 170 days fresh.)
#3: Nice and steady milkers! I really like these does! Obviously, I would prefer dose that fall in the #1 category but they are few and far between. However, these does seem to be easier to find and I have a high appreciation for them. These are does I would love in my breeding program! These does don't look too exciting at first but the hold very steady in their production. A lot of times you can move them or show them and they just keep on going.
(An example would be a doe who milks 3lbs daily at 30 days fresh. Then still at 3lbs at 90 days fresh. Then 2 lbs at 170 days fresh.)
#4: Below Average Milkers: These are does that disappoint me. You can milk them but you are putting so much food into them with so little return. They can usually feed their kids for 2-3 months but that's about it. I have rotated through many milkers and found that this type of milker is way too common! I would say I have seen 2X as many of these milkers then types #1 & #3 combined. Sadly, if your not on milk test and don't milk your does daily these can hide in any breeding program. They can raise their kids just fine but that's about it.
(An example would be a doe who milks 3lbs daily at 30 days fresh. Then down to 1 lb (or LESS) at 90 days fresh. IF the doe stays in milk to 170 days she may be down to 0.5lb of milk daily, or less!)
#5: A doe who can't raise her own kids! Yep! They do exist! I've seen a few. These does should be put in PET ONLY homes but that's just my opinion. Some people will just bottle feed their kids and keep breeding them but you are just putting those poor milk genes back into the gene pool. It's one thing where a mom can't feed 3 - 5 kids, she may just not be a "great" milker. However, I have seen does who could not feed ONE or TWO kids! This is just NOT exceptable! Yet some breeders keep breeding them. This seems more common in breeders who breed for color but they can show up anywhere. I've seen does who only milked 0.5lbs at 30 days fresh out of a CHAMPION line!!!!
(An example would be a doe who milks UNDER 1lb of milk at 30 days fresh. Likely they won't be in milk at 90 days but if they are it's usually 0.5lbs or less)
Types of Lactation's I have seen in Nigerian Dwarf Goats
#1: The ones that just keep milking! Love these goats! They have a great WILL to milk! Rain or shine, day after day, they are coming into the milk room and pouring the milk into the bucket. These are goats that can surpass the full lactation of 305 days and keep milking. You don't have to re-breed them to get milk. These rare goats can stay in milk 12 - 18 months or longer! For people who want milk and not goat kids every year these goats are true gems!
#2: Full lactation milkers! These are really great goats and ones I'm very happy with! These goats can milk a good 9-10 months. Breed them once per year and they stay in milk for you.
#3: Close, but not quite! These are average goats in my opinion and not really what I'm looking for. They might milk 200 days or even skim by on a full milk test at 240 days but they just can't keep going no matter how much you feed. These goats are not milking to the full potential of a DAIRY animal. Maybe they are a nice show goat or pet but they fall short on the Dairy aspect. Often times these are below average in pounds of production as well.
#4: Well, at least they can feed their kids. I've seen these goats more then I would like to admit. They might come in well enough to feed their kids but by the time the kids wean milk production takes a massive decline. Some of these goat's can't stay in milk 100 days. Put all the food into them you want but the milk just dries up.
#5: You've got to be kidding?!?! Uh, I've seen a couple of these too. They come in with a little milk but these are usually goat's that can't feed their own kids. They just don't have milk genetics. Some might be able to feed their own kids but they are usually totally dry by 8-10 weeks. No amount of food or 3X per day milking will get their milk up. The genetics are just NOT there.
#1: The ones that just keep milking! Love these goats! They have a great WILL to milk! Rain or shine, day after day, they are coming into the milk room and pouring the milk into the bucket. These are goats that can surpass the full lactation of 305 days and keep milking. You don't have to re-breed them to get milk. These rare goats can stay in milk 12 - 18 months or longer! For people who want milk and not goat kids every year these goats are true gems!
#2: Full lactation milkers! These are really great goats and ones I'm very happy with! These goats can milk a good 9-10 months. Breed them once per year and they stay in milk for you.
#3: Close, but not quite! These are average goats in my opinion and not really what I'm looking for. They might milk 200 days or even skim by on a full milk test at 240 days but they just can't keep going no matter how much you feed. These goats are not milking to the full potential of a DAIRY animal. Maybe they are a nice show goat or pet but they fall short on the Dairy aspect. Often times these are below average in pounds of production as well.
#4: Well, at least they can feed their kids. I've seen these goats more then I would like to admit. They might come in well enough to feed their kids but by the time the kids wean milk production takes a massive decline. Some of these goat's can't stay in milk 100 days. Put all the food into them you want but the milk just dries up.
#5: You've got to be kidding?!?! Uh, I've seen a couple of these too. They come in with a little milk but these are usually goat's that can't feed their own kids. They just don't have milk genetics. Some might be able to feed their own kids but they are usually totally dry by 8-10 weeks. No amount of food or 3X per day milking will get their milk up. The genetics are just NOT there.
Factors that can change a Lactation
Ok, now that I've sorted out the types of production and lactation's I have seen lets talk about what can affect those numbers.
Genetics: Genetics play a large part in what a goat can produce. No matter what you do the goat just can't do better then what genetics have given her. Genetics come from Sire and Dam. Just because Dam is a great milker doesn't mean sire will pass on great milking genes to the offspring. Offspring are 50% sire and 50% dam!
All too often, ok almost every ad I see, states "Great milking lines". What does this mean? Well you would have to ask the seller directly but all too often people use it when Grand parents or great grand parents have some kind of milk stars or records. Sadly, few people realize, genetics change EVERY generation. 1 single generation can change drastically. Unless I see milk records for DAM and Sire's DAM I am very skeptical of the term "great milking lines." Grand parents or farther back in a pedigree are so far removed from the gentics. Let's say Grand Dam is a top 10 milker. This Grandmother only contributes 1/4th of the genetics into it's grand kid. There are 3 OTHER grandparents contributing to this grand kid's genetics. Are both Grand dams fantastic milkers? Are both Grand Sires out of fantastic milking does? Even if they are that does not mean genetics lined up right to pass on the genes. Chances are higher and hopefully they will but that is not always!
Environment: Environmental factors can affect milk production. Poor quality feeds, high parasite loads or extreme weather conditions can drop milk production. My does tend to drop production in rainy weather because they hide in the barn all day but usually it comes back up when weather improves.
Number of kids: A doe who has a single kid usually milks less then if she has triplets. I've noticed if a doe has doe kids she tends to milk less then if she has buck kids but this is just a personal observation. These slight variations are seen under the same conditions with the same goat.
A goat who can't feed a single kid usually isn't going to be able to feed her triplets. A doe who milks an abundance of milk for a single can usually feed triplets just fine without help!
Age: From experience young does tend to milk much less then they will as mature adults. I suspect older does (10 & up) may also milk less then they did in their prime (4-7 years old) however, I can't say for certain and I'm sure this varies depending on the does overall health.
Number of lactation's: The more times a doe freshens the more they tend to milk, up to a point. A first freshener tends to milk less then a 3rd freshener. They do hit a point where they level out but I think that varies with each goat. I'd say roughly around 3-5 freshening's is when they are hitting their prime.
Ok, now that I've sorted out the types of production and lactation's I have seen lets talk about what can affect those numbers.
Genetics: Genetics play a large part in what a goat can produce. No matter what you do the goat just can't do better then what genetics have given her. Genetics come from Sire and Dam. Just because Dam is a great milker doesn't mean sire will pass on great milking genes to the offspring. Offspring are 50% sire and 50% dam!
All too often, ok almost every ad I see, states "Great milking lines". What does this mean? Well you would have to ask the seller directly but all too often people use it when Grand parents or great grand parents have some kind of milk stars or records. Sadly, few people realize, genetics change EVERY generation. 1 single generation can change drastically. Unless I see milk records for DAM and Sire's DAM I am very skeptical of the term "great milking lines." Grand parents or farther back in a pedigree are so far removed from the gentics. Let's say Grand Dam is a top 10 milker. This Grandmother only contributes 1/4th of the genetics into it's grand kid. There are 3 OTHER grandparents contributing to this grand kid's genetics. Are both Grand dams fantastic milkers? Are both Grand Sires out of fantastic milking does? Even if they are that does not mean genetics lined up right to pass on the genes. Chances are higher and hopefully they will but that is not always!
Environment: Environmental factors can affect milk production. Poor quality feeds, high parasite loads or extreme weather conditions can drop milk production. My does tend to drop production in rainy weather because they hide in the barn all day but usually it comes back up when weather improves.
Number of kids: A doe who has a single kid usually milks less then if she has triplets. I've noticed if a doe has doe kids she tends to milk less then if she has buck kids but this is just a personal observation. These slight variations are seen under the same conditions with the same goat.
A goat who can't feed a single kid usually isn't going to be able to feed her triplets. A doe who milks an abundance of milk for a single can usually feed triplets just fine without help!
Age: From experience young does tend to milk much less then they will as mature adults. I suspect older does (10 & up) may also milk less then they did in their prime (4-7 years old) however, I can't say for certain and I'm sure this varies depending on the does overall health.
Number of lactation's: The more times a doe freshens the more they tend to milk, up to a point. A first freshener tends to milk less then a 3rd freshener. They do hit a point where they level out but I think that varies with each goat. I'd say roughly around 3-5 freshening's is when they are hitting their prime.
How to find good milking lines?
Finding a good milking goat can be a bit of trial and error. However, if you start out educated and ask the right questions you can usually save yourself some heart break, time and stress.
So you found the breeder you want to buy from. Ask Questions! While many breeders have similar goals we all have different expectations, opinions and views of perfection.
If milk is a priority buy from a breeder who milks, keeps records and has records that meet your expectations! Find a breeder with similar goals and expectations!
If you want goats that can hold a long lactation and stay in milk 300+ days a year find a breeder who keeps goats in milk year round. If you buy from a breeder who doesn't keep goats in milk how do you know the goats you buy have the change of staying in milk as long as you want? Are you willing to gamble?
If you want to hand milk, find a breeder who hand milks. Hand milking is hard work but it's so much easier when you have a goat with soft udder texture and large, easy to milk teats. If you find a breeder that only uses a milk machine and doesn't focus on teat size/udder texture, will you be happy if the goat has small teats and is hard to hand milk?
What if the breeder doesn't do official milk testing?
You can still ask questions! Many breeders who focus on MILK production will keep unofficial barn records. How long the goat stayed in milk. Why was she dried up? How many kids did she have? How much she milked. Sometimes it won't be in pounds like official records but will be in cups.
1 cup of goats milk usually weighs around 8 oz. So 2 cups make 1 lbs of milk.
A 5lb per day milker would be milking 10 cups of milk per day.
So you found the prettiest little blue eyed goat. She's so sweet!
The breeder doesn't milk. The doe just raises her kids and dries up. Parents don't have any milk records.
The grand parents might have a star, they might not.
STOP AND THINK:
You raise and feed this cute little blue eyed doe for 18 months. You love her so much now since she was one of your first. Your family loves her. She gives you a beautiful blue eyed doe kid and the whole family is in LOVE. You keep her doe kid too. It seems so innocent. You finally start milking her 2 months later and she gives you 1 or 2 cups of milk per day? Her teats may be so small you have to spend several hundred bucks on a milk machine to get that cup per day, if you don't give up all together. Now the next year you breed mom and baby. You are already 2-3 years in now. Both mom and baby milk so little but you love them. You sell the babies off to other first time goat owners and start the cycle over again. Maybe you were really honest and sold them as pets but that pet home resold them a year later to 1st time goat owners with dreams of milking.... I see this SO OFTEN it's heartbreaking to see people give up after this experience!!! While some people DO get lucky from situations like this, it's NOT always the case!
Really good, easy to milk does DO EXIST! Does you DON'T need a milk machine for! Does that can milk 300+ days. Does that can milk 10 cups of milk per day.
FIND A BREEDER THAT HAS GOAL'S AND EXPECTATIONS SIMILAR TO YOUR OWN!
ASK QUESTIONS!
Finding a good milking goat can be a bit of trial and error. However, if you start out educated and ask the right questions you can usually save yourself some heart break, time and stress.
So you found the breeder you want to buy from. Ask Questions! While many breeders have similar goals we all have different expectations, opinions and views of perfection.
If milk is a priority buy from a breeder who milks, keeps records and has records that meet your expectations! Find a breeder with similar goals and expectations!
If you want goats that can hold a long lactation and stay in milk 300+ days a year find a breeder who keeps goats in milk year round. If you buy from a breeder who doesn't keep goats in milk how do you know the goats you buy have the change of staying in milk as long as you want? Are you willing to gamble?
If you want to hand milk, find a breeder who hand milks. Hand milking is hard work but it's so much easier when you have a goat with soft udder texture and large, easy to milk teats. If you find a breeder that only uses a milk machine and doesn't focus on teat size/udder texture, will you be happy if the goat has small teats and is hard to hand milk?
What if the breeder doesn't do official milk testing?
You can still ask questions! Many breeders who focus on MILK production will keep unofficial barn records. How long the goat stayed in milk. Why was she dried up? How many kids did she have? How much she milked. Sometimes it won't be in pounds like official records but will be in cups.
1 cup of goats milk usually weighs around 8 oz. So 2 cups make 1 lbs of milk.
A 5lb per day milker would be milking 10 cups of milk per day.
So you found the prettiest little blue eyed goat. She's so sweet!
The breeder doesn't milk. The doe just raises her kids and dries up. Parents don't have any milk records.
The grand parents might have a star, they might not.
STOP AND THINK:
You raise and feed this cute little blue eyed doe for 18 months. You love her so much now since she was one of your first. Your family loves her. She gives you a beautiful blue eyed doe kid and the whole family is in LOVE. You keep her doe kid too. It seems so innocent. You finally start milking her 2 months later and she gives you 1 or 2 cups of milk per day? Her teats may be so small you have to spend several hundred bucks on a milk machine to get that cup per day, if you don't give up all together. Now the next year you breed mom and baby. You are already 2-3 years in now. Both mom and baby milk so little but you love them. You sell the babies off to other first time goat owners and start the cycle over again. Maybe you were really honest and sold them as pets but that pet home resold them a year later to 1st time goat owners with dreams of milking.... I see this SO OFTEN it's heartbreaking to see people give up after this experience!!! While some people DO get lucky from situations like this, it's NOT always the case!
Really good, easy to milk does DO EXIST! Does you DON'T need a milk machine for! Does that can milk 300+ days. Does that can milk 10 cups of milk per day.
FIND A BREEDER THAT HAS GOAL'S AND EXPECTATIONS SIMILAR TO YOUR OWN!
ASK QUESTIONS!
NOT ALL MILK STAR'S ARE CREATED EQUAL!!!