A goat that gives a lot of milk. What are the odorless goat breeds of milk? Common Alpine Traits

The benefits of goat milk are known to all. In its composition, it is closest to the human.

Therefore, mothers most often use it to feed young children.

But not all goats give good milk with excellent fat content.

There are better breeds of dairy, which give a lot of healthy milk.

It is necessary to pay attention to the udder, its size and shape. It should be smooth, without seals, be elastic and voluminous. Dairy veins on the udder should stand out clearly. After the goat is milked, the udder decreases, folds appear on it. But it should not hang out much when walking.

Also, do not buy a goat with small nipples. This will greatly complicate the milking process. Nipples should be oblong and stick out in different directions.

The age of the goat can be determined by the number of teeth. Up to one and a half years old goats have milk teeth, their incisors and molars have not yet grown. And after six years, cracks begin to appear between the teeth, they can stagger and fall out.

The productivity of the goat is affected not only by the breed, but also by the conditions of detention. The animal needs to be well fed, daily walking,

Dairy goats - record holders

• Zaanensky species is considered one of the best milk goats of dairy breeds. These are large animals, whose growth reaches 80 cm, and weight - 60 kg. differs in record productivity - to 6 l. milk per day and high fertility. The Saanen breed has a white color (beige is rare), a wide muzzle, back and chest, short horns and thick legs. Despite the excellent characteristics, the breed is absolutely unpretentious in care. The only thing these goats are afraid of is the heat and lack of fluid. Good milk yields will not immediately - only after 3 lambing. The purebred Saanen breed has a pear-shaped udder with long nipples. It is better to buy them on farms from breeders, because in the market you can be deceived.
• Toggenburg breed is smaller in size from the previous one - the height of the animal is 60-70 cm, and the weight is up to 70 kg. Goats of this breed have a gray-brown color, a large trunk and relatively short legs covered with long hair. The udder of this species of goats is large and voluminous, and the physique is strong and sinewy, without fatty deposits. The breed also has high milk yield - up to 1000 liters. per year and good fertility -2-3 lambing per year. The highest quality hard cheese is made from milk, because it has a high percentage of fat content. Toggenburg goats can live in any climate. They have a thick coat that protects them from frost. Therefore, they are bred even in Siberia and in the North.
•   Alpine breed. The average growth of goats is 76 cm, and weight 61 kg. Goats are much larger, their growth is 81 cm and 77 kg. The breed produces record milk yields - up to 1600 liters of milk per year. Milk is highly fat and nutritious. Alpine breed can be easily identified by a long neck and ears sticking up. Caring for these goats is quite simple - they are unpretentious in food and easily take root in any climate. The animals are very friendly, affectionate and understand the owner well. In the herd, they always strive to be leaders. Goats of this breed are very fond of the mountains, they can climb to the very top of the mountain in search of delicious grass. But if necessary, they can be kept in the fences. The color of the "Swiss" is very diverse: white with black or gray, red with black, white with red, black with white. The breed has no solid color.

Varieties of alpine goats:

• French Alpine - bred by crossing a local French breed with Alpine. They feel good in the highlands. They have a different color - white, spotted, brown. The French breed gives milk a maximum of 900 liters. in year.
• British Alpine breed - bred in England, has a black color with white stripes on the face, legs and tail. The breed is very elegant and graceful. She is tall, slender, has a long neck, erect ears. Daily milk yield is 4.5 liters of milk.
• Nubian breed. Goats of this breed are tall and large, although their weight is small: goats are 55 kg and goats are 70 kg. Nubian goats have a long body and legs, a small head. The breed has the highest fecundity. For one lamb, a goat results in 3-4. Milk production is high - up to 900 liters. milk per year. Milk of this breed has a pleasant taste and smell, it is very oily - up to 8%. Goats of this breed love communication with humans and relatives. They are friendly and mobile. But, despite all the advantages of this breed, few people breed them. After all, the breed is very moody in food and care. They are poorly adapted to cold climates. Mass breeding of the breed by many farmers was unsuccessful. It is better to keep the breed in the household, because in such conditions more attention is paid to them.

Megrell breed. The animals have a long and strong body, height reaches 70 cm, and weight 40-60 kg. Megrell goats have horns and a beard, which distinguishes them from other breeds. They have strong, even legs and a regular udder.

The hair of these goats is quite long - up to 4 cm and stiff.

The average birth rate is 2 kid per.

The milk productivity of these goats is average - 500-800 liters per year.

A distinctive feature of the Megrelian breed is high-quality milk with good fat content. It is often used to produce expensive hard cheese and feta cheese.

Animals are unpretentious in care. They can be fed with all types of feed. Megrelian goats have excellent immunity to various diseases. The only thing they can't stand is the cold.

Russia also has its own breeds of dairy goats. For example, Russian white. She has a strong physique and white coat. The size of this breed is average - the growth of goats is 80 cm, and weight is 50 kg. Productivity from 500 to 800 liters per year, with a fat content of 5%. Russian white breed is quite prolific. For one lamb, a goat brings 2-3 babies. The kids are very early, grow quickly and rarely get sick. Their life expectancy is 10-12 years. Therefore, this breed is very popular in Russia.

The Gorky breed of dairy goats was bred by crossing Russian white breed and Zaanese. Among dairy goats in Russia, it is considered the best.

Description of the Gorky breed:

• Strong physique, graceful posture. Low growth - 60-70 cm, and weight - 40-60 kg.
• Ears stick out forward.
• Most often, the color is white.
• Wool is 10% down.
• Small udder, low, even legs.

Gorky breed gives good milk yield (but not the highest) with a fat content of 4%. Milk has a pleasant taste, without a specific smell. In addition, the breed is appreciated for delicious meat and special wool with down. Quality fur coats are made from animal skins, and shoes are made from leather.

The advantage of the breed can also be called high fertility. In one lamb, the female leads up to 5 kids. The Gorky breed is ideal for both farm breeding and home breeding.

In order for milking breeds of dairy goats to give a lot of milk, they must be fed at least once a year. Also, the quantity and quality of milk is affected by the nutrition of the goat, which must be complete.

If you want to get a goat for the first time, choose inexpensive, unpretentious breeding breeds. Having gained experience already buy a more expensive goat. In any case, the goat can become for you not only a source of milk, but also a pet.

Although on an industrial scale, goat breeding is not very developed, but farming and personal farmsteads are successfully engaged in breeding and cultivation.

Breeds of dairy goats without a smell in milk are especially widely in demand.

Not all breeds produce high-quality milk with a set of useful nutrients and vitamins. There are breeds that are grown for meat or wool. And not all types of dairy breeds possess milk without a peculiar specific smell.

Each breed has conditions specific to its maintenance and care. Any deviations from these requirements affect the taste of milk. In order for the goat on the farm to meet exactly your preferences, before buying the odorless goat milk goats, you need to become more familiar with the characteristics of the breeds.

According to experts, preference is given to local breeds. They are more adapted to the local climate and vegetation. And the content of such a goat is much cheaper, since genetic fitness for local feed does not force them to be bought elsewhere.

After determining the breed, pay special attention to:

• The characteristics of the udder. It should not contain any seals and sagging. Do not select an animal that has any partitions of the udder. His skin must be elastic, and it is voluminous and resilient. Nipples have a normal length and versatile direction.
• Body type. Milk yield is largely dependent on thoroughbred. Therefore, when choosing, special attention is paid to the correct physique of the breed. If the front of the animal is at the same level with the back, then such an animal is considered thoroughbred. In addition, the broad, massive back and pelvic part should correspond to the voluminous chest.
• Legs. The straight legs should be flat. The hooves are solid and without signs of disease.

If you live not in the conditions of Siberia or the north, it is better to choose a shorthair. Then leaving will be much easier.

It must be remembered that milk yields begin to decrease significantly when animals reach the age of six. Therefore, it is necessary to learn how to determine the age of the teeth. Until a year and a half have no incisors. Only upon reaching this age does a change of teeth occur.

At the age of six, goats begin to lose their teeth and cracks form between them, which affects proper nutrition. It is known that 70% of milk yield depends on the diet and proper nutrition.

Odor-free breeds

Among all dairy breeds of goats, there are breeds that, with proper care and the required conditions of keeping, produce dairy products without an unpleasant odor.

TOP -5 breed of odorless dairy goats with photo:

• Saanenthal. The birthplace of this breed is Switzerland, the Saanenthal Valley near the small town of Zaanen. The popular name is Saanen. This breed can be safely attributed to the most popular throughout Europe. It features high quality and quantity of milk. But if only an animal is purebred, that is now very rare. Thoroughbred can only be obtained from pedigree producers and breed-dedicated breeders. The physique meets all ideal indicators. A small-sized head, standing ears directed to the side. When breeding this breed, males and females are used only hornless. Horned animals are not considered purebred representatives. A long and even back. Elongated flat neck. Legs are even and moderately developed. The correct light brown color of hooves, which require proper care, due to the possible appearance of clubfoot or saber. The udder is voluminous, pear-shaped, with correctly set nipples. The only drawback in physique is underdeveloped muscles. weigh no more than 55 kg. Males are much heavier, about 80. It is not for nothing that it is considered the largest of all dairy breeds. The color of the breed is only white. Any inclusions, the appearance of a different shade, is considered a failure in purebred. The most important distinguishing feature is the record milk yield of the breed. With the right choice of diet and proper care, the goat is able to produce milk yield up to a ton per year. These animals have no unpleasant odor. But if he suddenly appeared, then this is only from improper care and maintenance. The character of the Saanen goats is friendly. Aggression is not characteristic of them at all.
• Russian white. The homeland of this breed can be considered the Central and North-Western part of Russia. By crossing imported from the European part of the Zaane, Toggenburg and local breeds, Russian White was bred. The most popular in Russia, and especially among beginners. Not demanding in the care and maintenance. The only problem can be considered intolerance to drafts. The milk yield is not as large as that of the Zaaneskaya record holder, but with adequate feeding, it can reach about 850 kg of annual milk yield. Milk is characterized by high fat content of up to 5% and the absence of a bad smell. The trunk in animals is barrel-shaped, with a wide chest and an elongated shape of the head. Between the small erect ears there are large crescent-shaped horns directed backwards. The mass of females reaches 50 kg. They have a very decent fecundity and rapid weight gain of male kids. The coat of this breed can be of different lengths, depending on the region of breeding. Southern goats are short-haired, and those living north have long hair. Not a bad performance in this dairy breed and in the production of fluff. Also in great demand is the quality of the skin.
• Toggenburg. Another Swiss representative of the goat tribe. The uniqueness of the breed is in good acclimatization to any weather conditions. And what is very important, during the winter period during cold weather milk yields do not change. The body is massive. The weight of females is usually 45 kg, males up to 70. Straight back, harmonious body. Long, narrow erect ears. The color of the animals is light brown with white stripes on the face. Milks are not much inferior to Saanen. But still a little less. The taste and smell of milk depends entirely on the diet. Lack of essential trace elements and nutrients in the diet will significantly impair the quality of milk.
• Nubian. English graceful breed. They require special care and maintenance conditions. They are distinguished by their whimsical food. If you do not follow the recommendations and requirements for these signs of content, then the quality and quantity of milk from this breed can not be expected. But if you provide it with the necessary feed and care, you will become the owner of incredibly tasty, creamy milk with no odors. The fat content of dairy products is usually 4.5% and daily allowance of about 3 liters. The build of these goats is quite large. The height of the animals exceeds 70 cm, and the weight reaches 80 kg. Pros: very high quality milk. Cons: mobility and vigor.
• Alpine Alpine. The birthplace of the breed is the French Alps. Graceful, stately, graceful and massive animals. Weight and height can reach one size - 75. Milk yield is quite large and can reach one and a half tons per year. The quality of the composition is close to human breast milk. Great taste and the absence of an unpleasant odor makes this breed one of the most valuable dairy products in terms of quality. Unpretentious in the care and feed. They can easily graze on different types of lawns. But the peculiarity is the lack of mineral salts in the feed base. Therefore, the best place to keep such a breed is mountainous areas. Where, climbing higher on a mountain, natural salt is licked from stones. The content of this breed with other representatives of the breeds is not recommended. In this regard, alpine goats are aggressive and have fights.

About the smell of goat milk - in the video:

– the oldest and most popular. Tame before horses, sheep, cows, unpretentious dairy goats for thousands of years faithfully serve a person, supplying not only milk, but also meat, wool, and skin.

Breeds of goats for economic purposes are divided into several groups:

• downy
• woolen
• hide
• park
• meat
• dairy.
• In addition, there are mixed breeds: milk-meat, milk-wool, milk-down.

The most common dairy breeds in Russia. And this is not surprising. Goat milk is superior to cow in a number of ways, is considered medicinal, and keeping a goat in the yard is much easier and cheaper.

Important! The composition of goat's milk is close to the mother's breast. Baby formulas based on it are considered one of the best. Goat milk is hypoallergenic; people with cow protein intolerance can drink it. It is better absorbed and less irritating to the gastric mucosa.

Differences of dairy breeds

Dairy goats are distinguished from their relatives by primarily physique. They are characterized by:

• large, cone-shaped, open format (meat breeds are smaller in size and more "square");
• expanding from the chest to the back of the body;
• broad, straight, without sagging in the sacral region;
• angular, pronounced, flat shoulder blades and shoulders;
• volume with well distinguishable convex, rather long ribs of the chest;
• straight with strong hooves, widely spaced limbs;
• light head on a rather thin neck;
• dense and thin skin;
• wide, deep, without sagging, broad belly.

Important! The type of coat and color depends on the breed, however, it is believed that shorthaired goats are more convenient to milk.

The main distinguishing feature of dairy goats is a large elastic udder in the form of a bowl or a rounded pear, clearly visible from the side, front and back, without seals and roughened hard areas.

A highly productive dairy animal has wide dairy veins and wells. The skin on the udder is thin, dense, elastic. Elongated nipples, oriented forward and to the sides, medium or large, after milking, the skin on them is collected in shallow folds.

In goats of a different economic orientation, the udder is small, lethargic, friable, not changing after milk is dispensed, with short nipples. The low productivity is also indicated by the strongly sagging, stretched, dangling during walking, forked, asymmetric or tapering to the back of the udder, the presence of extra nipples on it.

How to choose a milk goat

Buying for a personal household or for - troublesome business. You should first study the special literature with photographs and names of breeds, collect information about the sellers, determine the breed and the desired goat exterior (size, presence of horns, type of coat, color).

Prices for pedigree goats of highly productive dairy breeds (Saanen, Alpine, Toggenburg, lamancha) can reach 20-30 thousand rubles. The cost of rare for Russia Nubian goats starts from 150 thousand. Unclean goats can be bought for 1.5 - 5 thousand rubles.

Having received the information of interest, proceed to the inspection:

1. Check the description of the exterior of the selected breed with the appearance of the animal, examine the goat from all sides. A healthy goat looks cheerful, moves energetically, looks lively and fun. The kids are restless and curious.
2. Estimate the size. The larger the goat, the higher the milk yield.
3. Check the condition of the udder, skin. Shiny, smooth hair should not be fallen off, hang in shreds, shine with bald spots. Thin skin, easily pulled to the hips, indicates the purity of the breed. Thick skin and coarse wool are inherent in meat goats.
4. Having spread the hair, they find out whether fleas, lice-eaters, ticks or other “living creatures” are present in it.
5. Pay attention to the condition of the hooves, joints, sinuses, ears, eyes.
6. If a deal is made in the summer, it’s best to immediately “test” the goat by milking it. This will help to find out the nature, size of milk yield, features of milking (tight or weak udder). Buying a very young goat are interested in the milk yield received from her mother and sisters, but it is better not to buy a goat under two years old.
7. You can clarify the age by looking at the goat's mouth. In a year and a half, two permanent incisors cut through the goats. In two years, the next two. At the age of three, the number of permanent incisors reaches six. At 4-5 years old, all incisors are permanent, in the form of wide spatulas. After reaching the age of six, cracks are already visible between the teeth. By the age of eight, the teeth wear out and fall out.

There is an opinion that when buying a goat, it is worth sniffing her head between the horns. If there is no specific “goat” smell, then milk will not smell. In fact, most modern dairy goats are odorless breeds. A characteristic unpleasant smack of milk appears when improper feeding, care, joint maintenance of a goat together with an adult goat.

Most popular milk breeds

On personal farmsteads and on Russian farms, the most common domestic breeds of milk goats are: white Russian, Gorky. Of the foreign ones acclimatized to our conditions, the most demanded are the Saanen, Alpine, and Toggenburg breeds.

Saanen breed

One of the largest and most productive dairy breeds. He leads his pedigree from Swiss goats, common in the Zaanen Valley.

Important! Zaane’s goat owns a world achievement - 3 507 kg of milk per year.

Characteristic features of the breed:

• pear-shaped udder with well-developed nipples;
• snow-white, rarely ivory, short and thick coat;
• erect large ears;
• growth at the withers up to 80 cm;
• average weight of goats 50-60 kg, goats up to 110 kg;
• good yield of meat "bread" category;
• odorless milk with a fat content of up to 4.5%;
• early puberty;
• high fecundity: 2-3 kid in lamb;
• excellent milk production after the third lambing (up to 6 liters per day, about 1000 liters per year);
• summer goats do not stop milking for two or more years.

Megrell breed

Mehrelians come from the southern regions of Georgia. They are distinguished by large horns, a medium-sized beard. The coat of Mingrelians is rather coarse for dairy goats. Its color can be white, roan, light gray.

Economic characteristics of the breed:

• average live weight of goats: 45 kg;
• weight of goats: 55-60 kg;
• growth at the withers up to 70 cm;
• milk production of 400-800 liters per year;
• average fertility.

Famous Georgian varieties of cheese, cheese, cottage cheese are produced from the milk of Megrelian goats, characterized by high fat content and excellent taste.

Megrelian goats are especially appreciated for their high vitality and high immunity, the ability to keep most of the year on pasture. When buying, you should take into account their heat lovingness, goats do not tolerate cold.

The breed was bred by Swiss breeders based on local breeds for the production of high-quality varieties of cheese.

Toggenburg goats have:

• medium sizes (height at the withers 60-70 cm, live weight of the uterus from 40 to 50 kg, male: 70-80 kg);
• silky, soft, long hair covering the legs to the knee joints;
• flat, elongated, hornless head with large ears set straight;
• rather short legs;
• annual milk yields of 400-1000 liters of milk with a fat content of up to 3-4%, high protein content (high rates remain in the winter time);
• life expectancy: 7-8 years;
• the main color is brown of different saturation;
• on the muzzle, the tips of the ears, on the tail, and the lower part of the limbs are white marks.

Toggenburg goats feel great in Central Russia, Siberia, and the Far East. They are often used to improve milk performance and acclimatize other breeds.

Russian white

Domestic, spontaneously bred breed is still not officially recognized due to the great variability of breed characteristics. Bred by crossing local and Saanen breeds. Most often found in the Central and North-Western regions of the Russian Federation.

Animals of domestic folk breed differ:

• white, but there are also white individuals with black, gray or brown-red tan;
• a small elongated head with small straight-set ears, large crescent-shaped horns bent to the bottom and back (the absence of horns is not considered a breed defect; approximately equal numbers of horned and hornless individuals are found among the population);
• medium size (a goat weighs 40-50 kg, a goat weighs 55-75 kg, although there are giant goats with a live weight of 95 kg);
• directly oriented nipples;
• slightly sagging croup;
• average milk yield (500-600 liters per year) and high fat content of milk in 4-5%;
• high fecundity and precocity;
• unpretentiousness in content, adaptability to Russian climatic conditions;
• a sufficiently long life expectancy (10-12 years);
• can be long-haired and short-haired.

Interesting! The skins of white Russian goats are used to produce high-quality varieties of leathers.

La Mancha (La Mancha)

  - This is an American goat with an exotic appearance and very small ears. Two types of auditory concha are distinguished in lavenches: an elf’s ear with a lowered or raised tip and a cartilage length of up to 5 cm and a very small “dried” gopher ear up to 2.5 cm long. If the size of the ear is exceeded, the animal is discarded.

Characteristics described in the breed standard:

• large size, powerful body type;
• the height of the queens at the withers is up to 75 cm, the average live weight is 60-65 kg, the height of the males is up to 95 cm, the weight is up to 100 kg;
• straight face;
• short straight hair;
• multiplicity (up to 4 kids per lamb);
• high milk content (up to 8 liters of fatty, tasty milk per day);
• color varies and is not specified by the standard;
• longevity (goats live on average from 14 to 17 years);
• calm, affectionate, balanced character;
• endurance, unpretentiousness, lack of a specific smell.

Gorky dairy breed

Traditional for the Nizhny Novgorod region, the Middle Volga region, Tatarstan and Chuvashia, the milking goat is able to bring up to five kids at a time.

Gorky goats are distinguished by:

• average body size and small udder (uterine weight 40-45 kg, male: 50-60 kg);
• snow-white color, less often white with slight gray marks or pure gray;
• goats are mostly hornless (hornless), goats are usually horned;
• high milk yield from 500 to 1000 liters per year;
• fat content of milk up to 5.5%, it has excellent taste, often goes for the preparation of cheeses, feta cheese, butter, cottage cheese;
• short life expectancy, up to 10 years.

The skins of Gorky goats are made for morocco, used for sewing fur coats and sheepskin coats. The meat is highly regarded by the culinary experts. In addition, up to 250 g of wool is obtained from one goat per year.

Nubian breed

The only reason Nubian goats are not common in Russian farms is their high cost. The productive qualities of these tall animals with an elongated body are high, and the appearance is peculiar:

• height at withers up to 90 cm;
• the average live weight of the uterus is 55-60 kg, males: 90-130 kg;
• the head is small, with a characteristic "Roman" nose with a hump, large saggy ears, small horns or without them;
• the neck is slender, high with a distinct transverse hollow;
• legs are long, thin;
• the coat is short, shiny;
• color black, white, brown, red, spotty.

Goats bring 3-4 kid twice a year. They give up to 900 liters of milk with a sweet smell, delicate taste in a year. In the American official standard, the fat content of milk is declared to be 4.5-5%, some sources increase the figure to 8%.

Animals are energetic, mobile, easily excited, often noisy and self-willed. They have no specific smell. Goats do not smell even during mating.  The meat is soft, juicy.

Alpine breed

For the variety of colors in France they are called alpine multicolor. These are quite large representatives of the dairy breed: the weight of a goat is up to 60 kg, goats up to 75 kg. The height of the uterus reaches 76 cm, the male - 81 cm.

The average goat milk yield per year is from 800 to 1200 liters, a record result: 1600 liters, the fat content in milk is 3.5%. Goats are prolific. As a rule, one baby is born in the first lamb, and from 3 to 5 in the subsequent ones.

Animals do not require special care, they feed well, in winter they can be content with hay. They have excellent meat and a large yield of edible meat pieces from carcasses.

Alpine goats are aggressive against goats of other breeds.  Often push them away from the feeder, tend to take a leading position. They are best kept mono-breed herd.

Cameroon breed

Goats with dense wavy fur, a small beard, a funny short tail and curved horns are often kept in apartments as companion animals and are decorated with mini zoos.

Usually, the weight of the uterus does not exceed 15 kg, and the goat - 25, but despite the small size of the goat, they can bring considerable income. Undemanding babies for one lamb bring from 2 to 4 kids. Up to one and a half liters of tasty, odorless fatty milk are given per day.

Cameroon goats milk is famous for its ability to not sour for a long time.  It can be stored in the refrigerator for up to two weeks. Goat milk remains until the end of life, with an average duration of 12-15 years. For excellent taste, meat is also appreciated.

Motley german goat

German motley goat bred on the basis of local German breeds and brown alpine. She inherited from her parents a light brown, chocolate, dark brown color with a characteristic dark stripe running along the ridge, and short smooth coat. The color of the abdomen and limbs varies from light to dark fawn. Both the presence and absence of horns are allowed.

The breed standard was registered in 1928. The representatives of the breed:

• the height of the goat at the withers 80-90 cm, goats - 70-80 cm;
• live weight of the female 55-75 kg, male up to 100 kg;
• excellent versatility;
• temper calm, friendly.

Goats are undemanding to food and keeping, acclimatized to a temperate and sharply continental climate, tolerate frosts well, endowed with excellent immunity. For a year, the goat produces 850-1000 liters of milk with a fat content of 3.2-3.5%.

Variegated goats are distinguished by the shape of the udder and nipples convenient for both manual and machine milking, because of this they are often bred on industrial farms.

Czech brown

The Czech brown or short-haired goat is registered in 1970. Animals with aristocratic appearance have an elongated narrow muzzle, small erect ears. The color is black-brown with a longitudinal black stripe running throughout the body, a black triangle is required between the ears.

The goats have a large, soft, shapeless, folded udder after milking, which allows milking the goat not only with their hands, but also with the help of milking machines. Due to the large percentage of hermaphrodite births and the small population, the short-haired goat is a rare breed. Often used in breeding to increase milk production.

The economic qualities of the breed are quite high:

• the average live weight of goats is about 50 kg, goats - 70-85 kg;
• goats at the withers reach 65-75 cm, males - 70-80 kg;
• for lamb goats bring 1-2 kids;
• for a year they give 800-1000 liters of milk with a sweet creamy aftertaste without a specific aroma, with a fat content of 3.5-4.5%.

Goats quickly become attached to the owner, cheerful, energetic, ready to protect the herd, easily remember nicknames and simple commands. They are perfectly adapted to the conditions of high mountains, good foragers, like free-range, but poorly tolerate heat and suffer greatly from blood-sucking flying insects.

Productivity Comparison Chart

Goats as a livestock product are wool, meat and, of course, milk. The last in composition, structure and positive effect on our organisms is almost no different from the human. Milking, dairy, goats are the best friends of any mom who wants to see her baby healthy. But it’s important to be able to choose goat milk, and at the same time to understand the difference between the “technical parameters” of different breeds.

There are many breeds of dairy goats. We offer a "hit parade" of the most productive and user-friendly milkmaids.

Zaanenskaya

An excellent choice is the world record holder in terms of dimensions. reach 80 cm at the withers. The mass of the average animal is 60 kg. But, more importantly, the annual milk yield is about 1000 liters - this is a very good result. The udder Zaanenok is pear-shaped, the silhouette of the nipples is quite expressive.

The indicated productivity is characteristic of goats that have learned the delights of three lamb. Subsequent years, milk yield is only increasing. But the breed is very demanding on the conditions of detention. The difference in care greatly affects the age of the horned. So, a well-groomed goat will live for 14-15 years, but a neglected goat will live almost half as much.

The Saanen breed does not tolerate heat. Another disadvantage is the difficulty of acquiring a purebred specimen. It is imperative to look for trusted breeders, otherwise there is a great risk of being the owner of a similar, but by no means productive, animal.

Toggenburg

These milk goats are also not dwarfs - with a powerful constitution they reach a height of 60-70 cm. The average weight of the male is 70-80, and the female is 40-50 kg. As it should be for dairy breeds, this one is distinguished by a solid udder. Productivity, of course, is good. Otherwise, do not be in this rating. For a year gives about 800-1000 liters.

Milk is 4% fat. Optimum performance allows you to make delicious high-quality cheeses from it.

Unlike the previous breed, Toggenburg is less whimsical. It tolerates low temperatures well, so it can be recommended for maintenance in any climate. Frosts do not affect productivity at all. True, this species lives less than Zaanensky - up to 7-8 years.

Gorkovskaya

One of the most popular breeds in our latitudes - everyone is familiar with it. It features a strong constitution and medium size. Height does not exceed 60 cm. Weight 45-60 kg. The udder is relatively small. It is curious that there are both horned goats, and hornless, hornless.

The breed is characterized by variable productivity and multiplicity. Annual milk yield ranges from 500-1000 liters. Milk is characterized by 5.5 percent fat content. One lamb gives up to 5 kids - this is twice as much as offspring, for example, of the Toggenburg breed.

Gorky dairy breed is a virtually waste-free production. In addition to meat and milk, goat skins and leather are involved. The latter is used in the manufacture of shoes.

The life of Gorkovsky goats is usually 9-10 “milky” years. After the completion of the main career, they are interesting from a completely different perspective.

Megrelian

The breed is characterized by a rather powerful, regular physique and high growth - up to 70 cm. As a rule, the color is predominantly white, the head is brown with a white stripe in the central zone. Large horns and a medium-sized udder complete the beautiful picture.

Milk productivity at the level of 400-800 liters per year. The fat content of milk is 5%. Multiplicity is not different; a pair of kids is usually “out” for one lamb.

Russian white

The name is unambiguous - our breed is domestic. Looks like Gorkovskaya. From Russia it was brought to Belarus and Ukraine, where they are no less popular. And not in vain, because:

• animals are hardy;
• able to give milk up to 10-12 years - almost as much as they live for years;
• again, ready for non-waste production;
• fertile and early ripening - in the offspring 2-3 little goats, which in a relatively short time become “thrush”;
• quite productive - annual milk yield of 4-5 percent fat content of 500-600 liters.

Russian white is one of the most common and unpretentious, however, when maintaining any breed, care and proper feeding are important. implies a special attention to the hygiene of the udder, as well as balanced feeding, as problems can occur if improper, such as tympanum.

Nubian

For our country, the breed is very young - the Russians have been familiar with it for only a few years. These are tall and large, but small-headed animals with long necks. The weight of adult males is 70 kg, the weight of females is a maximum of 55 kg. They are distinguished by mottled spotted color of smooth and silky, but short coat.

If any and recommend the breed, then this one. Not only is it the most unpretentious, it is also characterized by the highest productivity. Despite the fact that even beginners can cope with its maintenance and breeding - in almost any climate. The amount of milk that can be dispensed reaches 1300 liters per year.

These dairy goats and meat are very good. Given that the height of the animals is about 75-85 cm, this is a very nice bonus. The mass of goats 65, goats - 75 kg. Milking the horned is easy - they have a great character. In addition, Alpine goats are bestowed with two or four kids at a time.

Among the features of the breed is the ability to climb trees. Of course, they cannot compare with the balancing skills of mountain goats, but where else have you seen domestic goats jumping on branches?

Motley German

There are two varieties: brown and white with dark legs. This breed is not far from the previous one - it gives about 1100 liters of milk with 4 percent fat content. Goats can be kept both in the household and on farms - animals are not demanding on environmental conditions.

How to choose a milk goat

Everything is important - the physique, the characteristics of productivity, age, the ability to acclimatize ... But in the context of a particular breed, attention should first be paid to the udder. It does not have to be very large. Although the volume, of course, is important. But the main aspects: elasticity, a distinct silhouette of dairy veins and smooth, devoid of tuberosity, skin.

Milk goats are recommended to be milked before purchase. The udder of a high-milk goat is characterized by the presence of folds after milking. It becomes smaller, but does not dangle when moving. If there are unpleasant signs, most likely, in front of you is an unproductive instance.

Video “How to choose a dairy goat”

The video describes in detail the nuances of choosing dairy goats.