Products - Dairy Goats
Alternative Enterprise
Dairy goat production is an alternative livestock enterprise suitable for many small-scale or part-time livestock operations.
Major Breeds
The six major dairy goat breeds are the Saanen, Nubian, Toggenburg, LaMancha, Oberhasli, and Alpine. The lactation period for dairy goats averages 284 days, with peak production usually occurring 4 to 6 weeks after kidding. Representative production data for the various goat dairy breeds can be found below.
Breed
Average production (lbs/lactation)
Production range (lbs/lactation)
Milk fat (%)
Milk protein (%)
Alpine
LaMancha
Nubian
Oberhasli
Saanen
Toggenburg
2,266
2,100
1,820
2,146
2,577
2,115
790-5,470
740-4,320
560-4,270
930-4,450
610-5,490
940-4,380
3,4
4,0
4,9
3,9
3,3
3,2
2,9
3,2
3,7
2,9
2,9
2,7
Dairy Goats Breeds
Saanen Goats
Among the dairy goat breeds, Saanens are world famous for their highly milk production. They were originated from Switzerland.
On average a Saanen goat can produce about 907 litres of milk in a year. They are large sized dairy goat breed and have erect ears. An adult Saanen goat weights around 61kg and become around 30 inches height at the shoulder. Their body colour is mainly white or cream and suitable for raising in almost all countries.
Nubian Goats
Nubian goats are the result of cross breeding of English goats with African and Indiana goats. On an average, Nubians produce about 816 litres of milk yearly.
Although milk production vary depending on the breeds and type of goats. They have long dropped ears and usually are of large sized breed. Their body colour can be any and weights around 61 kg.
Golden Guernsey Goat
The Guernsey goat breed is the smallest of the dairy goat breeds.
They are ideal for the Urban homestead that wants to keep goats that produce goat milk. Their milk is of a quality that can be used to produce most dairy products such as ice cream, yoghurt, cream, butter, cheese, etc.
The bucks are sometimes horned, but most of the population are not horned. Minimum height for the mature buck is about 71 cm, and 66 cm for the does. Minimum weight of the Golden Guernsey bucks is 68.18 kg, and minimum 54.54 kg for the does.
Alpine Goats
They are good milkers and produce a large amount of milk yearly. On an average, an Alpine goat can produce about 1088 litres of milk in a year . They are medium sized dairy goat breed.
An adult goat weights around 61kg and become about 30 inches height at the shoulder like Saanens. They are of various coloured except pure white and light brown with white markings. They are also suitable for raising around the world.
LaMancha Goats
LaMancha goats are also a cross breed. They were originated through a cross between dairy goats and Nubians. They are good milkers and produce the same amount of milk yearly as Alpine goats produce.
They have tiny ears and usually a small sized breed. Adult goats weight around 58kg and become about 28 inches height at the shoulder. Their colour vary and can be any colour.
Toggenburg Goats
Toggenburgs are another best dairy goats. They were originated from the Swiss Alps. They have an average yearly milk production of around 907 litres . Usually Toggenburg is a small sized goat breed.
They weight around 55kg and 26 inches in height at the shoulder. They have brown bodies from dark chocolate to fawn with white lines on the sides of their heads over their eyes. Their lower legs are of white colour and have white ears and their tails have white colour on either side. Some people don’t like the milk of Toggenburg goats. Because their milk can taste and flavour distinctive.
Oberhasli Goats
Oberhasli are also among the best dairy goats and they were originated in Switzerland. They are very good in milk production and on an average they can produce about 1020 litres of milk yearly.
They are small to medium sized dairy goat breed and an adult goat weights around 55kg and become 28 inches height at the shoulder.
Usually Oberhasli goats are of full black colour. Although you can see slightly different coloured goats. Like the milk of Toggenburg goats, Oberhasil goat’s milk also has a distinctive taste and flavour.
Nigerian Dwarf Goats
Nigerian dwarf is a small sized goat, originated in West Africa. They are the smallest among the available dairy goat breeds. On an average, they can produce more than 320 litres of milk yearly .
They weigh around 35 kg and about 23 inches height at the shoulder. Some Nigerian dwarf goats have blue eyes and their body colour can by any.