Goat question.....on post 10 I have more questions

[ksalvagno]

A goat needs to have a goat buddy to live with. It is not good to have only one goat.

It probably takes different people different times but it takes me about 10 minutes to milk my Alpine. That doesn't include cleaning the equipment and straining the milk.

 

[BarredBuff]

Where can you buy filters? Would a wither work as a pal?

 

[Blackbird]

What K said. Our Libby has small orifices so she is harder to milk and takes about 7 minutes (she gives half gallon per milking), the others take less time than that. but give around the same milk, their teats are easier to handle.

 

[Blackbird]

We buy our filters here;
http://hoeggergoatsupply.com/xcart/product.php?productid=3758&cat=17&page=1

http://hoeggergoatsupply.com/xcart/product.php?productid=3344&cat=17&page=1


Others here have used cheesecloth, reusable coffee filters, etc. with success.

Wethers work as great pals if you don't mind a non-producing goat.

 

[BarredBuff]

Whats the basic idea of housing for a doe and wither?

 

[Blackbird]

When we got our first goats years ago they were a doe and a wether. Since the wether is a castrated buck there is no buck scent and thus no nasty tasting milk.
The wether will sometimes mount the doe when she is in heat but it's pretty innocent as far as making babies goes.

Wethers are prone to urinary calculi so a lot of people suggest a feed with ammonium chloride mixed in, or simply supplementing it along with mineral.

 

[BarredBuff]

When we got our first goats years ago they were a doe and a wether. Since the wether is a castrated buck there is no buck scent and thus no nasty tasting milk.
The wether will sometimes mount the doe when she is in heat but it's pretty innocent as far as making babies goes.

Wethers are prone to urinary calculi so a lot of people suggest a feed with ammonium chloride mixed in, or simply supplementing it along with mineral.

Thank you so much youve been a very big help!!

 

[emilosevich]

Our first house for our goats was a yard shed. Not the best arrangement and certainly not easy to get them up to the garage to milk, but it worked. It still sits out there and the girls will use it in the summer to just cool off in if they don't want to go in the barn.
Goats need a nice draft free area to live in with room to move around. Size of house depends on breed and size of goat.

 

[BarredBuff]

How long is the gestation cycle of a nigerian dwarf doe?

 

[Blackbird]

The typical gestation for all goats is 145-155 days, so about five months.