We got them from Black Mesa Ranch. We've now had them for a week, and oh my goodness they are fun! They are very sweet, and funny to watch. I'm so glad we took the plunge. My kids love them to pieces, and our dogs are finally starting to think they are boring. :)
I'm so happy we go them from someone experienced, with a good reputation, and a healthy herd of great milk producers...very glad I waited instead of going for a $50 CL special. Especially since these are our very first goats. I have an expert a phone call away if I have a problem.
I attached a pic of their first night at home. Yes, they are in my kitchen. I had to give them their nighttime bottles, my dogs wouldn't leave them alone, and the backyard was a bit overwhelming to them. So, I kicked the dogs out and brought the goats in.
Thanks for the information Bethany. The picture is great, they are so cute! I checked out Black Mesa and they really seem like responsible breeders, they test for everything :) Hopefully next year! My kids can't wait!
I have heard about this but I havent found much info... Do you which dairies and if you can buy directly or do you need to go through a separate store? I got hooked on raw milk sold through Healthy Habit on 7th st but they kept raising their prices and I could no longer afford it. Any info would be much appreciated! Thanks
Save Your Dairy is the only licensed Grade A dairy in the state, I think. It's out in Queen Creek. They have a website, just google "save your dairy". You can go to realmilk.com to find sources for raw milk all over the U.S.
The price was so cost prohibitive for us, which is why we made the decision to get a couple goats. We would have loved to have a family milk cow, but goats are far more efficient with regards to their feed to milk conversion ratio. Read: cheaper healthy milk.
Shaun, not a stupid question when you don't know the ins and outs of either owning goats or state regulations. Once freshened (breed) after the kids are born, goat milk from your own animals is perfectly safe to drink as long as you follow good cleanliness procedures (milk into a clean bucket, filter immediately to remove any hair or dust, chill immediately into sterile bottles and you have fresh wonderful milk.
To sell milk to the public for human consumption you must have a certified dairy and it is a long and complicated road to pursue. You may sell to people for feed for their animals (some dog breeders swear by goat milk for their pupplies), that milk is supposed to be dyed purple and labeled "not for human consumption." The county health people can be really tough to deal with if you don't follow the rules.
A note about the taste of your own dairy goat milk. It is all about two things 1) don't let the bucks near lactating does, and 2) the feed is crucial to the sweetest milk -- if you let your doe wild-browse it will produce a 'wild' flavor. Feed alfafa hay and some grain the milk is wonderful.
By the way weaned young kids, male or female make good 'weed eaters' but there are some special care issues you need to follow on how to safely (for your goats' sake) allow them to weed your weeds.
Hope that helps,
Catherine
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Trish Eagle > Catherine, The Herb LadyJuly 2, 2010 at 3:41pm
I've always been irritated at the FDA & USDA's interferrance and restrictions they place on back yard producers of milk. I understand regulating the mega-dairies (remember the tainted milk in China? We've had our own tainted milk issues) But if a person is an informed consumer, getting to meet the animal and see its living conditions; then that person should be able to decide for him or herself if the milk is "safe" to drink! I don't think either the FDA or the USDA needs to be in my back yard or anybody elses, snooping around and being all meddling and nosey when mega milk farms are able to get away with bug parts in their milk and so many cows in one spot that they spend most of the day standing or lying in their own feces. Yuck!
Replies
Congratulations! Very exciting! My husband really wants to get acouple Nubians. Who did you get yours from?
Carrie
I'm so happy we go them from someone experienced, with a good reputation, and a healthy herd of great milk producers...very glad I waited instead of going for a $50 CL special. Especially since these are our very first goats. I have an expert a phone call away if I have a problem.
I attached a pic of their first night at home. Yes, they are in my kitchen. I had to give them their nighttime bottles, my dogs wouldn't leave them alone, and the backyard was a bit overwhelming to them. So, I kicked the dogs out and brought the goats in.
P1050246.JPG
The price was so cost prohibitive for us, which is why we made the decision to get a couple goats. We would have loved to have a family milk cow, but goats are far more efficient with regards to their feed to milk conversion ratio. Read: cheaper healthy milk.
Welcome to the 'goaties' club of goat lovers.
Shaun, not a stupid question when you don't know the ins and outs of either owning goats or state regulations. Once freshened (breed) after the kids are born, goat milk from your own animals is perfectly safe to drink as long as you follow good cleanliness procedures (milk into a clean bucket, filter immediately to remove any hair or dust, chill immediately into sterile bottles and you have fresh wonderful milk.
To sell milk to the public for human consumption you must have a certified dairy and it is a long and complicated road to pursue. You may sell to people for feed for their animals (some dog breeders swear by goat milk for their pupplies), that milk is supposed to be dyed purple and labeled "not for human consumption." The county health people can be really tough to deal with if you don't follow the rules.
A note about the taste of your own dairy goat milk. It is all about two things 1) don't let the bucks near lactating does, and 2) the feed is crucial to the sweetest milk -- if you let your doe wild-browse it will produce a 'wild' flavor. Feed alfafa hay and some grain the milk is wonderful.
By the way weaned young kids, male or female make good 'weed eaters' but there are some special care issues you need to follow on how to safely (for your goats' sake) allow them to weed your weeds.
Hope that helps,
Catherine
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