Pygmies can produce anywhere from a quart to two-thirds of a gallon, with the average being one to two quarts. Storey's Guide to Raising Dairy Goats; Jerry Belanger. They're both easier to handle than the larger dairy breeds that stand more than 28 inches at the shoulder and weighing well over 100 pounds. Although all healthy, female goats are capable of producing milk to feed their babies, not all goats produce enough milk to provide humans with a reasonable share of that milk.. You can if you want your hands and fingers to cramp. thanks so much :) To earn a milking award, a Pygmy under two years old must produce 500# of milk or close to 18# of butterfat. PART OF WILD SKY MEDIA | FAMILY & PARENTING, Purdue.edu: Common Breeds of Dairy Goats in the US, Dairy Goat Journal: Nigerian Dwarf Dairy Goats, National Pygmy Goat Association: Pygmies for all Reasons, National Pygmy Goat Association: Color Choices for Registration, Nigerian Dwarf Goat Association: About Nigerian Dairy Goats, Pygmy Goats Compared to Dwarf Nigerians for Milking. If you want a steady supply of delicious, high-quality goat milk, you will need several does, and to time their breeding schedule so that you will always have a doe producing milk. Out of these cookies, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. A good example of this situation is the pygmy goat. While there are hundreds of breeds of goats throughout the world, only eight are generally recognized as dairy breeds in the United States and thus the best goats for milk. You’re probably familiar with pygmy goats, which are another small-sized goat. Similar forms of Pygmy goats also occur in all of northern Africa, in the southwestern African countries and also in east Africa. Pygmy milk ranges from 4.5 to more than 11 percent butterfat. Milk stays fresh for a long time. Trimming Pygmy Goat. It’s the one that allows the milk to get creamy. If a goat is large enough to grow juicy and delicious meat, it’s classified as a meat breed, the same thing for fiber producing goat breed. It requires you at least 2 to 3 times a day to keep the goat’s udder empty, once a day for a pygmy goat is more than enough. The requirement rises slightly each year until it peaks at 5 years old: 582# of milk or 20# of fat. This video will tell you some of the things you need to know about Pygmy Goats: There are some tips you might want to know and consider when you’re into pygmy goat milking. Many have blue eyes. For Nigerian Dwarfs, you can find a young doeling for $150-$300 depending on their parents background, milking star awards, and colorings. Goatsare jumpers and climbers. In the morning, milk your does and then allow the kids to nurse throughout the day. On the other hand, a Pygmy doe can produce around 1 to 2 quarts of milk daily on an average. The Size & Temperament of Nubian Dwarf Goats, Difference Between Dutch Belted & Galloway Belted. However, pygmies have shorter lactation times, so you will need more pygmies than Nigerians. Nigerian dwarf goats, however, can continue to produce a sufficient amount of milk for up to 305 days. The milk with high butterfat content is often used to create ice cream, yogurt, some cosmetic products, cheese and more. That’s why some people at home prefer to have fresh dairy from a pygmy goat. My pygmy doe had a hard labor w/ a big single buckling, had to take her to the vet for a c-section. Pygmy goats can produce a ton of milk for their small size. Both goat breeds produce high-butterfat milk. Keep the kids separated from their mother at night. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. We'll assume you're ok with this, but you can opt-out if you wish. At a minimum, this means four does, breeding a different one each quarter, so that you can have 1-2 quarts of goat milk a day throughout the year. Nigerians are lighter boned and come in a variety of colors. Shape The World. The Nigerian dwarf and African pygmy are capable of being bred year round, instead of in the fall when most dairy goats come into estrus. A pygmy goat is definitely not a good milk goat, they are difficult to milk, and just are not made for it. Both Nigerian dwarf goats and African pygmy goats have been used for milk production, although the pygmy isn't usually considered a dairy breed. Yes, you can. Any cookies that may not be particularly necessary for the website to function and is used specifically to collect user personal data via analytics, ads, other embedded contents are termed as non-necessary cookies. Nigerian milk typically ranges from 6 to 10 percent butterfat. They actually can but in very small amounts. Pygmies give very good milk which has around 4.5 to 11% of fat. If you want fresh milk but have limited space for goats, consider one of the smaller or dwarf breeds. Nigerian dwarf takes a lot of effort in milking. Considering that you chose to raise a pygmy goat at home to save space, that amount of milk is probably more than enough for your small and healthy family. On an average a doe can produce around 2 quarts of milk everyday. However, it does not mean that if it’s a meat breed, it cannot produce milk. This enables the kids to be born and milk production to start -- called freshening -- at different times. Not to mention that farming at home isn’t really a job but more of a passion and utilizing the animal and your knowledge for the luxury of having a fresh dairy product at home. 2020 Buying Guide: Air Purifiers for Pet Owners, Lowest Maintenance Fish Tanks: Your Top Options. Finally, the fiber is also used in the clothing industry. If you are going to feed your goats minerals, then you’ll need a mineral feeder. You can increase the milk production of your pygmy goat by making sure that you let the goat have a few months to build up its supply before breeding it again. It is never a good idea to just have one goat, you need at a minimum two goats. Milk of both Pygmy and Nigerian dwarf goat contain high butterfat which makes their milk taste sweet and comparatively better than other goat’s milk. The situation will lead you into choosing a dwarf breed which brings you to either a Nigerian dwarf or a pygmy goat. The butterfat content of pygmy goat’s milk is about 4.5 to 10 percent while Nigerian has 6 – 10 percent, a little higher compared to a pygmy. It is mandatory to procure user consent prior to running these cookies on your website. The most popular is the Nubian goat. Milk of Nigerian dwarf goat usually cont… This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. Be Her Village. Pygmy goats make wonderful pets and are also known for their highly meat and nutritious milk production. I am actually a pygmy goat breeder and seller. They do not recommend breeding a doe that had had a c-section before, but that's personal choice. Both smaller breeds are easy to handle, even by children. You will have started your pregnant goats on grain and gotten them used to eating a substantial amount of grain during the last two months of pregnancy. Large milk breeds can produce a high amount of milk but it would be very hard for home or backyard farmers to milk the goat. © 2021 WILD SKY MEDIA. There are two main options, either a commercial powdered goat milk replacer or make your own using a cow’s milk based recipe that you mix up yourself (recipe below). It has a sweet and rich taste, possibly because of the amount of butterfat. It’s almost the same with Nigerian dwarf with at least 2 quarts or more. On average, a pygmy goat tends to produce one to two liters of milk depending on the age of the female breed. Im 14 and i have 2 one year old wethers and in the spring im getting 2 more babies, another wether and a doe. Continue this feeding, even increasing it to several pounds a day, according to the doe’s body condition and the number of kids she is feeding or the amount of milk she is producing. Pygmies produce milk for a shorter period -- only 120 to 180 days. You can expect anywhere from 1-2 quarts of milk each day. They're shorter than other breeds, with Nigerians standing 17 to 20 inches tall at the shoulder and Pygmies standing 16 to 23 inches tall at the shoulder. If I’m going away on a trip, then I’ll use a sturdy under the bed box to make sure my goats have ample amount of feed while I’m gone. The goat is space saving and very easy to handle, especially when it comes to milking. This post contains affiliate links. A balanced diet with all the nutrients improves immunity, growth and production. You have to milk the goats at least twice per day unless you keep a kid on them. Both Nigerian dwarf goats and African pygmy goats have been used for milk production, although the pygmy isn't usually considered a dairy breed. Pygmy goats have several options to make money. If you continuously breed them, then your goat may become sick or produce less milk the next time. The pygmy goats should get their hooves trimmed every four months. But unfortunately, the time or period to where you can goat a Nigerian goat is far longer compared to a pygmy goat. For an Alpine goat to be registered, there are several general requirements her ladyship must meet. The butterfat content is the one that makes the milk so tasty and delicious. This makes pygmy goat an ideal choice. Nigerians generally produce milk for more than 305 days. How to Prepare a Small Home for a Pet Dog. Nigerian dwarf goats produce around two quarts of milk a day. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. Throughout my site in my articles I recommend some products. Enough to supply its kids with the nourishment they need. The quality of milk a pygmy goat produces may not be the best but it is certainly good. These cookies do not store any personal information. Pygmies tend toward agouti, brown (caramel) and black coloring. Regardless of the breed, a goat will definitely produce milk after a few weeks of gestation. I receive a small commission if you buy through these links .Please Note there is NO additional cost to you. If you want fresh milk but have limited space for goats, consider one of the smaller or dwarf breeds. The average height of pygmy goat ranges from 16 to 23 inches tall where 16 is the range of female pygmy goat and 23, more or less, are males. Every pygmy goat needs 0.5 … This website uses cookies to improve your experience. Although the milk comprises of 4.5% to 11% of butterfat, the milking period is relatively short. That’s why some people at home prefer to have fresh dairy from a pygmy goat. Ive never owned a doe before and i need to know everything about milking and also what do i do if my 2 yearling wethers pick on the babies? If you live in a colder climate, a small shed would be a perfect shelter for the winter months. Goats can sometimes be mischievous but it’s just how they play. Pygmy goats make great pets. Pygmy goats meat is also preferred. Pygmy goats can produce, on average, between one to two quarts of 4.5% to 11% butterfat milk. So you can buy them a grain feeder, or you can do as I do. Male pygmy goats are the ones that could reach 75 pounds more or less. Since not all requirements overlap for both registers, look up the association sites for specific questions on their unique requirements. How to Feed Cracked Corn to Sheep & Goats, The Difference Between a Guernsey & a Jersey Cow. I use a galvanized tub to feed my goats. Local bakeries prefer goat milk. Of course, there is some question regarding can you milk pygmy goats with any kind of hand pump milker. Pygmy goats can produce at least 1 quart to two quarts of milk a day. Why You Should Invest In A Beware Of Dog Sign. This makes handling things pretty easy for you at home. To view my affiliate disclaimer, click here. Either of the two goat breeds you have, both are still a good choice. 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