Raising goats is rewarding both emotionally and fiscally. Goat milk is in high demand all around the world, and raising goats for milk is well known to be a lucrative venture. Goats can produce a significant amount of milk during their milking period, which generally pays off the cost of raising the goats and then some.The amount of milk that goats produce depends greatly on the breed of the goat, the season, and the quality of care they receive. That said, during peak season with a breed of goat that is specifically meant for milk production, you can expect to get over a liter or quart of milk in the morning and at night, making for a total of anywhere from ½ to ¾ of a gallon of milk per day (1.9 to 2.8 liters).
Boer goats are huge and originally bred for meat production, but many lovers of goat’s milk are fans of the creamy, buttery taste of Boer milk. On the other hand, Nigerian dwarf goats maybe half the size of a regular goat, but they produce a decent amount of very sweet milk for their size (up to ½ a gallon a day or 1.9 liters). This makes them the perfect choice for smaller farms.
Dairy goats need to be milked at least once a day, seven days a week, rain or shine, cold or hot, until they dry off. You cannot go on vacation and leave them un-milked. They will be in pain and they will develop mastitis
How Much Milk do Goats Produce
In order to get the most comprehensive explanation of how much milk goats can produce, we’ve got to get into the nitty-gritty. While the aforementioned value reflects how much an average milking goat produces per day, different factors can affect the milk output of your goat. Generally, your goat’s milk output will depend on these three factors.
Goat milk contributes 3% of total milk production in India, says Sagari Ramdas, veterinary scientist and member of the Food Sovereignty Alliance India. Goats yield 0.5-2 litres of milk per day for a little over half a year, and it takes a litre of raw milk to get 100g of cheese.
Likewise, how many Litres of milk does a goat produce per day? Dairy goats generally produce between 660 and 1,800 litres of milk in a 305-day lactation. On average, a good-quality dairy doe will give at least 2.7 litres per day. Also, how many Litres of milk does a cow produce a day in India? Milk yield – 7200-9000 kg the best diary breed among exotic cattle regarding milk yield. On an average it gives 25 liter of milk per day, whereas a cross breed H.F. cow gives 10 – 15 liter per day.
Goat Size For Milk Production
The first thing to know is that larger goats produce more milk. A regular-sized, healthy doe might give you the aforementioned milk output per day. However, if you own a Nigerian dwarf goat, for instance, you won’t get as much milk. This is because Nigerian dwarf goats are about half the size of a regular goat, meaning their smaller udders can’t hold as much milk as their bigger counterparts.
What are the Best Goat Breeds for Milking
Just like dogs, different goat breeds have different characteristics. Not every goat breed is meant for milk production; in fact, there are specific breeds that are good for dairy production, meat production, and having as companions. What makes a goat good for milking depends on several factors, including the length of their milking window, their average milk output, the flavor of their milk, and their temperament (to make the milking process easier). There are lots of good milking goat breeds that people prefer for different reasons.
| Goat Breed | Milk Characteristics |
| Toggenburg Goats | Produces Tasty Milk With A Popular, Strong Flavor |
| Nigerian Dwarf Goats | Good Size For Smaller Farms; Has The Sweetest Milk Out Of The Breeds |
| Anglo-Nubian Goats | Produce Less Milk, But Have High Butterfat Content For A Creamy Taste |
| Saanen Goats | Very High Supply Of Milk Per Day, Milder Flavor |
| Alpine Goats | High Supply Of Milk Per Day, Most Variation In Milk Taste |
| LaMancha Goats | Friendly Temperament Makes The Milking Process Easy, Creamy, And Sweet Tasting Milk |
| Sable Goats | High Supply Of Milk Per Day; High Milk Fat Percentage |
| Oberhasli Goats | Friendly Temperament, Reliable Source Of Sweet Milk |
| Boer Goats | Smaller Milking Window But Great Flavor Due To High Butterfat |
Goat Milk Production
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.
Milk Production By Dairy Goat Breed
| Breed | Average production (lbs/lactation) | Production range (lbs/lactation) | Milk fat (%) | Milk protein (%) |
| Alpine | 2,266 | 790-5,470 | 3.4 | 2.9 |
| LaMancha | 2,100 | 740-4,320 | 4.0 | 3.2 |
| Nubian | 1,820 | 560-4,270 | 4.9 | 3.7 |
| Oberhasli | 2,146 | 930-4,450 | 3.9 | 2.9 |
| Saanen | 2,577 | 610-5,490 | 3.3 | 2.9 |
| Toggenburg | 2,115 | 940-4,380 | 3.2 | 2.7 |
| Note: Individual doe data not adjusted for age (275- to 305-day records) |
Do goats give milk all the time
In order to give milk, a goat must first get pregnant and have kids of her own. Her body creates the milk to feed the kids. Dairy breeds have been bred to give more milk than their kids would require. Some goats give so much milk that they are able to “milk through” into a second year.
How often should you milk goats
Begin milking your goat once every other day for two weeks, once you notice milk production is decreasing. After that milk once every three days for another week. At this point, milk production of your does should be very slow (or have stopped altogether).
How much is goat milk cost
Raw goats milk is sold by shares here in Colorado. In the Denver area the most common price is $40 per month – that’s for one gallon a week. Thus, $10 a gallon. I’ve seen it as low as $30 per month and as high as $50 per month here.