How often do dairy goats need to be milked?

Question

We are thinking about raising goats, but aren't sure if they need to be milked once a day, twice a day, etc.

Answer 1

Dairy goats which have their kids taken away, need to be milked every twelve hours.  Near the end of their milking cycle, when they are near to drying off, in order to give birth to a new set of kids, you can cut down to once a day milking.

I do not like to be tied down to twice daily milking.  I leave the kids with the doe, and just milk her as needed.  I do not use a lot of milk.  I have a lot of experience at this, and I'm able to make sure the doe does not end up with a mastitis problem.

I have over 100 goats, and have been raising them since 1999.

~Garnet

Permaculture homesteading/farming over 20 years

Answer 2

My guess would be twice a day but I don't have much goat experience (although I have some dairy cattle experience).  The goat won't produce milk without a kid and the kid will drink some of the milk (unless you separate them).  I'd say your best bet is to go to a library or perhaps Tractor Supply (www.tractorsupply.com) and check out/buy a book on goats.  Make sure to do your research before you invest the time and money into raising livestock.

Answer 3

twice a day.. every 12 hours......

  buy British Shannan  goats   the best milkers, sweet milk

  and don't forget you can freeze the milk .....

  goats do well on oats, grass ,  but not really fresh grass...

      if you buy  goats,  only use one male  to stud  them ...

  they smell real bad.... " the male pee on there  heads" kind odd , but true , so best to keep him away for the herd

  i recommend a book called goat  husbandry......

  i knew the another,,, he was my late uncle .

   his last name  was McKenzie.......

  amazon books have it ....

    one more thing  buy around 4 goats  to keep you in milk. as when  you breed them the milk dyes up , to feed the kids.

  and they give birth to twins as a rule.....

    they deliver milk after you breed them, around 12ths old