| Saanen goats originated in the Saanen Valley of | | | | looking for great farm fun animals, the Saanen goats |
| Switzerland and are a common in the United States. | | | | will not disappoint you. These goats are easy for |
| What is so special about these dairy goats? They | | | | children to handle and are popular in showmanship |
| offer healthful milk and are wonderful animals to raise | | | | classes. They are sweet, lovable, dairy goats. They |
| on a farm. | | | | enjoy the companionship of other goats and people |
| | | | | too! A Saanen would be a wonderful pet goat. |
| Saanen dairy goats produce heavy amounts of milk. | | | | |
| They can give two gallons of milk per day! On an | | | | They like to browse a pasture eating leaves, clover |
| average, dairy goats can give three to four quarts of | | | | or other plant growth. They eat hay, millet or other |
| milk during a 305-day lactation. Goats' milk is a | | | | grain too. They drink one or two gallons of water |
| major source of milk worldwide. People who are | | | | per day. |
| allergic to cows' milk may drink it, but it does contain | | | | |
| lactose, so it is not for those who are lactose | | | | Saanen goats are sensitive to excessive heat and |
| intolerant. Goats' milk has smaller fat globules than | | | | sunlight. They are adaptable in most climates except |
| cows' milk, which makes it naturally homogenized and | | | | for hot locations like desserts or tundras. They |
| more easily digestible than cows' milk. | | | | perform much better in shady or cooler conditions. |
| | | | | Goats do not like to get wet so they will, generally, |
| What are some characteristics of these dairy | | | | seek shelter during rainy times. |
| goats? They are medium to large in size, averaging | | | | |
| approximately 145 pounds in weight. The males | | | | A barn or a shed should be available for them to |
| stand approximately 40 inches in height and the | | | | use. Goats should never be contained in a small |
| females approximately 30 inches in height. They are | | | | area. They need plenty of room to move around, |
| the largest of all the dairy goat breeds. They have | | | | at least a five square feet of space. Their pen |
| strong legs with tough bones. Breeders have | | | | should be bedded-well, draft-free, clean, dry and |
| referred to them as "living marshmallows" because of | | | | enclosed during winter months. Air should be |
| their beautiful white or light cream color. Because of | | | | allowed to circulate throughout their area through |
| their light colored skin, they are susceptible to | | | | windows or doors. |
| sunburns or skin cancer. Some Saanens have spots | | | | |
| on their skin or hair. Their hair is short with some | | | | The common lifespan of Saanen milk goats is |
| having a fringe of hair down their spine or over their | | | | approximately fifteen years, but some have lived |
| thighs. Their face is straight, or "dished", and their | | | | longer with the proper goat care. Raising goats can |
| ears stand erect pointing forward. | | | | be a challenge but they can be fun and amusing |
| | | | | animals to watch. Saanen goats are lovable animals, |
| Their body is tough but their temperament is mostly | | | | provide lots of wonderful, healthful milk, plus make |
| calm and mild mannered. They display pep in their | | | | great companions for other goats and people too! |
| personality and are eager to please. If you are | | | | |