| If you are thinking about getting some milking goats, | | | | ears are known as "elf ears," while one-inch are called |
| you are not alone. Each year, more and more people | | | | "gopher ears." In order to register a male LaMancha, |
| are choosing to have a few goats around for milk | | | | the gopher ears must be present. In the females, it |
| production for their families. Goats are very intelligent | | | | doesn't matter what type of ears she has. Nubians |
| and friendly creatures who can be not only good milk | | | | are probably the most popular of the milking goats |
| producers but also fun and entertaining to have | | | | around the world. They are large, with long ears. |
| around. They weigh much less than milk cows, so are | | | | They are excellent milkers, and their percentage of |
| easier to care for and move around. | | | | milk fat is very high. |
| There are six breeds of milking goats that are | | | | Saanens, Toggenburgs, and Oberhasis are all good |
| recognized by the American Dairy Goat Association. | | | | selections but relatively scarce in the U.S. compared |
| These are the American LaMancha, Alpine, Saanen, | | | | to other breeds. If you are going to develop a herd |
| Nubian, Toggenburg, and the Oberhasi. The Saanen, | | | | for milk production, you will need to decide which of |
| Alpine and Toggenburg are all considered to be Swiss | | | | the milking goats will provide the most advantages. |
| breeds, having their origins in the French and Swiss | | | | For instance, if you wanted to sell milk commercially |
| Alps. If you don't know what kind of goat to start | | | | you might choose breeds that give higher quantity, |
| out with, you can get information on each breed | | | | while if you wanted to make cheese or other milk |
| from its breed association. It is a good idea to visit a | | | | products, you would want quality milk with a higher |
| few goat farms which raise some different breeds | | | | fat content. Much to many people's surprise, goat's |
| as well. | | | | milk tastes just the same as cow's milk. |
| Alpine, LaMancha and Nubian are the most popular of | | | | Some herds of milking goats produce as much as |
| the various goat breeds in the United States. They | | | | 3,000 pounds of milk per day. Just like cows, goats |
| are all considered to be medium to large in size. | | | | need to be milked every day. Most dry out for a |
| Alpines are bred in almost every color and color | | | | couple months in the winter before they have kids in |
| combination: black, red buff, gray, fawn and brown. | | | | the spring. A visit to a commercial goat farm can be |
| Most are from the French Alps. | | | | very helpful if you wish to produce milk to sell and |
| The LaMancha, on the other hand, was bred in the | | | | not just for family use. Most goat owners are happy |
| United States. They are known for their very short | | | | to answer any questions you may have. |
| and sometimes almost non-existent ears. Two-inch | | | | |