Each day while milking my Saanen goats, I’m reminded of all the reasons we have these wonderful ruminate animals around our homestead. Years ago when first being acquainted with goats, I met the large eared Roman nosed, Nubians; a very popular dual purpose breed in the US. Sadly the impression Nubians gave me discouraged my desire to ever own a goat. They were loud, rough, stubborn, and always trying to escape.
This spring, I was given my first of three Saanen goats and boy, did my impression of goats change. Saanens have a remarkably different demeanor than any other goat I’ve met. I’ve had experiences with Pygmies, Norwegian dwarfs, Nubians, and Angora. These light haired Swiss Saanens are known for their relaxed, mild temperaments, even regarded by some as living marshmallows. Of course, they are heavy milkers and can be used for meat, but after being around my three goats for just one summer I’ve found there are other reasons Saanens are important for homesteaders.
- Each day in spring and summer, I receive about 1 gallon of milk from each Saanen. As the days grow shorter they tend to give me less. We are considering breeding our two older goats this November then breed the youngest in late winter, allowing for a year-round milking cycle. With the abundance of milk, after drinking to our hearts content, I make yogurt of kefir (an awesome probiotic) and then freeze the rest either as homemade soft cheese or simply as milk. I have not yet made hard cheese but I do look forward to mastering that skill soon. Recently while reading a library book about food from the middle east, I found that there is a certain tribe in Arabia that consume strictly goats milk for several months out of the year, when their goat’s milk is the only thing available for them. If a wide scale food crisis arose, milking goats would be a precious as gold, fresh daily milk that the whole family, even the very young can survive on.
- While Saanens are usually bred for milking they do still make good meat for a family. After kidding, keeping the abundance of goats is not always realistic. The farmer must consider which goats will serve the families needs best and either sell or butcher the rest at the appropriate age. Again, in a time of serious need, a family with an abundance of goats will fare better both in the aspect of milk and meat.
- Recently, I learned that goats can carry a 1/4 of their own body weight and have been used efficiently as pack animals for sportsmen. One thing to remember is the very quite mild nature of Saanens, making them well suited for such a task. This summer I discovered how easy it is to keep your goats in your view. It is really so easy. Goats think of the farmer/milker as the “lead goat.” When you move to the left, they quickly move to the left. When taking my goats farther from their usual path they watch my every move and stay close by even while looking for the most nutritious greens.
- Unlike sheep, horses, mules etc, goats thrive on forest brush, pine needles, bark, and many other wild plants naturally indigenous in North America. You would not need to carry feed for your goats if you allow them to eat along the way.
- Though, I have yet to butcher any goats, my fellow goat-owner friend speaks of the usefulness in using the goat’s hide for rugs, upholstery and any other “leather” needs.
- We happen to live on land with areas of brush overgrowth, making it difficult to put up fence or even get to specific berry bushes. Thankfully, goats do an excellent job clearing land, making paths and opening areas for the farmer to use.
- Goat manure makes excellent free garden fertilizer! Keeping your goat yard clean, can later help your garden.
- Lastly, goats can be taught to pull carts. Goats are strong for their size (just try to tackle one to the ground to trim their hooves). They do not require as much space nor feed as horses, cows, and mules. While they need less, they can be very useful for pulling light loads.
Hey, I’m impressed, how much do these goats (Saanen) cost and where do I start buying them? How much money can a person make on a gallon of pasteurized goat milk? I know that people want unpasteurized milk but just in case the FDA comes after us, can we still make money pasteurizing the milk? What are the other associated costs and what about winter–do we need to heat their barns?
cowboy
That was great! Thanks for sharing all that you are learning. Bryan is reading up on goats now and it is nice to hear that there is a breed with a relaxed demeanor. That would fit our family well.
Love ya all, Lisa
We bought our 1 year old Saanen goat for $40 and our 3 year old for $75 and our 2 year old billy goat for free (for breeding). I have run into to other breeders selling purebred Saanens between $100-$150. Strangely it seems like all of our goats have been tossed in our laps, we have done little to search for them ourselves. Our local breeder has excess goats after each kidding so we were happy to help her out by taking a few.
I would definately encourage one to visit the individual goat before buying them. Every goat has a different personalitly as well as milk production, udder comformation, handles etc. Aslo, I find that reading goat books can be rather daunting to a first timer. I encourage one to first talk face to face with the breeder, getting to know what the goats needs are, what equipment to buy etc. And then checkout books from the library for getting a well-rounded opinion. In one summer, I’ve learned so much by experience, by looking for answers online and talking to my local Saanen breeder. Go to your local feed store, look on Craigslist.com and scan through your local newspapers for buying Saanens. Make your desire known to those who work at feed stores and you’ll be surprised how quickly you’ll find goats for sale.
In usuall cases, a goat share which includes 1 gallon of raw milk per week (4 gallons per month) costs the shareholder $25 per month. It is also possible to sell raw milk labeled for pet consumption only. Or you can sell it pasteurized for about $3 dollars a gallon.
If I’m doing the math correct with 10 goats providing a gallon per day you’d would have about 70 gallons per week. You could easily allow for 50 shares from that much milk. For a family with extra hands (children at age three can learn to milk well), 10 goats is a very doable number. I milk two goats twice a day, and it is very easy and fast.
I spend about $50 dollars per month for our three goats. From May-Sept, we have plenty of free range grub for them, bushes, trees, weeds, and grass, so we only have to provide grain during these months. Along with minerals (costing about $50 per year) and a herbal de-wormer ($50 per year). We spent about $300 dollars for their winter hay. Thankfully, because goats prefer weeds over nice horse hay, it is much less expensive. So a total yearly cost would be about $900 for three goats. When you consider how much you get in return, kid goats each year to sell or build your flock, abundant milk and cheese, and if needed home raised meat, the cost doesn’t seem too bad. Of course, you would need to allow for the cost of your land. We have 3 acres for our 3 goats, but our land is full of goat-friendly grub. If you had prairie land with grass only, you would need to provide more for your goats. Goats do very well on forest land, just as deer do.
You do not need to heat your goat barn. Infact, like horses, goats fair better with the great outdoor weather. You must provide shelter from the wind and rain and for “nesting” before they kid but they do not need more than that. Goats are from the deer family, so it helps to remember they can live comfortably outdoors as deer do.
ooooooooh!!!! It makes me SO excited when i read your articles. I especially like this one. When milking your goats, do you have to tie them to something? (i know that sounds a little lame, but im curious!)
love ya,
Rahel
Yes, our two older goats must be in a stanchion (milking stand) while being milked because that is how they were trained. Our youngest who we’ve been able to train ourselves will let you milk her anywhere. But it is nice to just put them in a stand because they are up off the dirt in a clean area and it is helpful when trimming their hooves and such.
You got me, I’m clicking thru.