Most efficient milk animal?

[PenelopeJune]

We may or may not have the chance to live on 5 acres soon, as a rent to own deal from my husband's parents. If we do, we're definitely getting chickens and honeybees. I'd also really like some milk-producing animal so that we can save on milk. (My family drinks a LOT.)

I've never drank anything but cow's milk (usually pasturized from the store, but for awhile we were buying raw milk) and the idea of drinking milk from another animal weirds me out, even though I realize logically that this is dumb.

What animal is the most efficient, in terms of production vs. how much they need to eat, and how does the milk taste? Would 5 acres of land be enough to feed this animal during the nice months? (I realize we'd have to buy hay/feed during winter months.) What kind of shelter does this animal need?

Thanks a bunch!

[AliciaP8]

Goats are better feed converters than cows. Obviously their milk tastes different to discerning taste buds The taste actually depends on the animal itself, the breed, the feed it's eating and whether you have a buck in residence. Probably other factors as well.

5 acres would happily pasture a goat or two during the nice weather plus allow you to mow hay. Our 2-3 goats live on a tiny little pasture that they don't manage to eat completely in the summer. We do feed some sweet feed but mainly just for the excitement of it. Now that it's winter they eat a fair bit of hay but we mowed less than 4 acres and sold 2 half ton truck loads and kept 2 which is probably close to double what we need for the winter.

[NelsonJBird]

Goats

I was gonna say goats as well. You should do some research on goat's milk. You may have to get used to it, but for raising you own milk animals/I would do goats.

[Dabble]

Yep, goats are typically regarded as the most efficient milkers. A standard size goat will produce about a gallon per day, and is easier to keep than a milking cow.

There is a lot of great information on this site, which you should definitely read before going out to buy a goat. http://fiascofarm.com/goats/getting-your-goat.htm

Have you ever drank goat's milk? Especially raw? It's definitely an acquired taste if you're used to cow's milk from the store. To me, it tastes just like the goats smell.

[Tizzy]

Goats will eat anything (weeds!) and produce excellent milk. They are easy to keep and if you get a healthy one, they are a pleasure to have around.

Please be sure to purchase one from a reputable breeder and save the heartache and troubles from getting one at a sale or stockyard - there are a few diseases that are impossible to deal with and difficult to erradicate which can result in you having to sell/kill every goat you have.

[PenelopeJune]

Thanks guys!

I was thinking that goats were going to be the answer, but I wasn't sure.

I do worry about the taste and my general "icky" factor. Honestly, I don't love any milk that much, but my family does. My kids will drink anything white if I call it milk. Heck, I got a formula sample in the mail for some reason the other day and the kids wanted it and actually liked it. Ew!

Dabble, thanks for that website! Very interesting reading. I've only read that first page, but I've already learned a lot!

[1jooj]

I think the younger you can start your kids on goat milk the better the chance they will like it, long-term. Around the world, more people drink goat milk than from any other dairy animal. As a PP stated, their are probably the thriftiest of dairy animals...and you can get small breeds that eat little and still produce a lot. Cows are expensive and eat a lot more, and you could end up with a lot more milk than your family can consume. I'm hoping to be milking goats this spring.

[GoBecGo]

Do you eat meat? If so a cow might be ok too...i know, voice of dissent!

When i was a kid we knew a family who had 2 dairy cows which they took to the beef bull every year or two (usually one cow each year so they had a calf every other). By leaving the calves with the mama's they didn't end up with too much milk (because they just increased the supply to feed a calf+a family) AND because they sent the cow to the beef bull they had a well-raised, grass-fed animal to slaughter every year. It takes a year or two to get off the ground (to be getting beef and milk) and i doubt 5 acres could support 4 cows (2 mama's, one calf and one half-grown beef animal, which is what you're looking at for their system - they had 12 acres but of rough land) Obviously you can eat goat meat too, this was just a musing

You might try getting them store-bought goats milk and seeing how they go - my DD LOVES milk and cheese but she cannot bear goat-produce yet (i keep trying).

[AliciaP8]

Originally Posted by Dabble

Have you ever drank goat's milk? Especially raw? It's definitely an acquired taste if you're used to cow's milk from the store. To me, it tastes just like the goats smell.

I've tasted goats milk like you describe and I can't say I love it. I've also drank the milk from the farm we bought our girls from and it was so sweet and creamy with no goaty flavour. I'm hoping that when we finally get milk from our's it will be as nice as that!

[Alyantavid]

I'd say goat too, but I've never had goat's milk. But I also agree with the pp about the meat.

We have a cow, not for milk though, and she does great on our 4.5 acres with her calf. She had a bull this year so we'll be butchering him for meat in the future. In that way, I'd lean toward a cow, but if you're not looking for meat, just milk, I'd go with goats.


Aliciap8, it's so cool to see you have Chessies! We have one and I don't run across many people who have them but they're such great dogs.

[Tizzy]

I have to say, the milk from the store tastes WAY different than fresh from a cow/goat.
I find the store milk to have more of a concentrated GOAT taste whereas fresh from the goat (still warm in the bucket....yummmm!) tastes richer.

[gentlecowgirl]

Originally Posted by GoBecGo

Do you eat meat? If so a cow might be ok too...i know, voice of dissent!

When i was a kid we knew a family who had 2 dairy cows which they took to the beef bull every year or two (usually one cow each year so they had a calf every other). By leaving the calves with the mama's they didn't end up with too much milk (because they just increased the supply to feed a calf+a family) AND because they sent the cow to the beef bull they had a well-raised, grass-fed animal to slaughter every year. It takes a year or two to get off the ground (to be getting beef and milk) and i doubt 5 acres could support 4 cows (2 mama's, one calf and one half-grown beef animal, which is what you're looking at for their system - they had 12 acres but of rough land) Obviously you can eat goat meat too, this was just a musing

You might try getting them store-bought goats milk and seeing how they go - my DD LOVES milk and cheese but she cannot bear goat-produce yet (i keep trying).

Yes this is similar to what we do. One mama cow and calf would do great on 5 acres of decent pasture if you intensively graze them and move them regularly. We have cows and love them. Ive milked goats also but I find it less satisfying. But goat milk is almost as good as thick cow cream in coffee.

[iowaorganic]

I vote cow. Goat milk tastes like licking a billy goat. Nasty.
Plus- what does a good nanny run $175? You can buy a good organic jersey right now for less than $1200. Much better use of your money imo.

Here is what I do. I have 2 jerseys. They alternate lactations. There is very little stress on my cows. Elsie produces tons of milk and I have her calf and a purchased holstien bull calf on her. I lock her up the night before I want milk from her then milk in the morning all I want and then let the calves clean up. Salty is my other jersey that puts out half and half. Flighty but a great milker and can raise an amazing calf. Graze your yard and you should be fine with a cow or so.

[Hedgehog Mtn]

We started with a cow (now 3) and my DD got goats. We have room so it's not an issue.

What I suggest is you spend some time with a family cow if you can find one and some family goats.

I learned after DD got goats that I.Don't.Like.Goats. I love my cows and find milking her a very calming and peaceful time of my day.

The feed to milk conversion is not worth it if you don't LIKE the animal.

We will keep the goats because DD loves them and they are awesome for kids but if it was totally up to me I would never own another goat LOL. Make sure you will enjoy the animals you pick.

[PenelopeJune]

Thank you! I really appreciate all the diverse thoughts.

I saw an ad in the paper this week for a pregnant Jersey cow for $800. Of course, I know absolutely nothing about the animal, but it made me really want to get this started! If only we had a place for a cow, or any animal really, now!

[1jooj]

This is a great discussion, and all of it's true.

I have to say, I grew up with cattle and always loved them, and I think I do prefer them to goats. That said, every animal is an individual, and I have a doe right now I love so well, I hope she turns out to be a good milker. We also raise goats for meat, so what to do with kids is not such a big question.

I also prefer cow's milk to goat milk, though I have had fresh goat milk that didn't taste weird at all. So, I'm going to give milking goats a try, and if it doesn't work out, I may look for a small Jersey. We have also raised Jersey cross calves for grass fed beef, and it is incredible. We don't have a lot of land, though, and our main livestock is sheep, so I have to make some decisions in the coming year or so.

[forestrymom]

I grew up on raw cow's milk, and had never even tasted goat milk, but when we started looking into milk for our family, we decided to try goat milk. I certainly don't think it tastes like licking a billy goat, and if you get the milk from a doe who is not kept with a billy it WILL NOT taste like a billy goat. Doe goats do not smell at all. Their milk may taste stronger based on what they are eating, however, as I think they have a less discerning taste than most cows. I could not even tell a difference, and I was totally icked out by drinking goat milk. The chevre is to die for and I've had SO MANY requests to buy cheese.

HOWEVER, my goats are PICKY eaters. They won't touch the sagebrush or any of our weeds at all, and only eat the grass. I wish I could get our PIA buck to eat weeds, but he won't even if he's starving (dh tried that method for a couple days just to see).

If you have never been around livestock, please consider getting a cow long and hard. They are BIG animals, and while most milk cows are docile by nature, even a docile animal can be a nuisance, or even dangerous, in the hands of someone who hasn't been around them, so please get an animal who is broke very gently. Our goats are super gentle and easy to handle, and I never have to worry about my kids around them. I think I would worry a lot more with a milk cow, even if she was gentle, because if she does kick at all, it can be deadly.

As for efficiency, I think if you need a lot of milk or will eat the offspring of a cow, a cow won't have too much milk for you. I was concerned about this which is one of the reasons we went with goats. And if we decide in the future to raise a calf for meet, we can feed it goat milk if need be.

I love, love, love my goats. They are fun and funny, and super with my kids. I was also fond of the milk cows we had growing up, but I'm glad I went with goats. For our small operation, they are perfect.

[1jooj]

Thread hijack ahead:

forestrymom, what kind of goats are you milking? I have a Nubian who acts like you describe. She runs behind us like an old, favorite dog, and is happiest right next to any one of us. I also have a Toggenburg who I am afraid will never settle down and like people. We're having a slow time taming her. My other goats are Boers, so not milkers, but they are a lot like cats. They want us to pet them when they feel like it.

I've loved many sweet cows, but if I had 4 Nubians just like the one I have, that would be just about perfect.

I'd say try to spend time with both kinds of animals. Growing up with cattle, I never thought I would love sheep and goats like I do. But since the day we started with them, it's been love.

[Chicky2]

I think the temperament of the goats is going to depend alot upon where you get them. We got our Nubians from a woman who takes better care of her goats than herself, lol. She babies them and handles them. Now those two we have are so fun! They run and play w/all the kids, are super, super tame and hilarious to watch running w/my long legged 10 yo dd. They hop and bounce and play and 'talk' to us. Really sweet girls. They are not in milk yet, but I know the taste of their milk will be dependent upon what they eat. I have neighbors w/a doe in milk, and it is sooooo sweet and good! Not 'goaty' at all.

[BeagleMommy]

I have to say, I can't stand the flavor of any grocery store milk. Mom used to have to bribe me as a kid to drink it, but I LOVE raw cow or goat milk. There really isn't a difference in flavor either, and I have pretty discerning taste buds when it comes to milk. My friend has cows and goats and the only way I can tell the difference in the milk she serves me is the color. Goat milk is white, cow milk is pale yellow. She does not have a buck goat at her farm, so maybe that makes the difference in flavor. Oh, and she milks into a pail with frozen water bottles in it so it chills faster. She said that makes the biggest difference in flavor to her.

That said, I want to get a couple of La Manchas in the spring. . .
I, even with my new love of dairy, couldn't handle the amount of milk a cow produces.