Dairy Goat Selection Ann Starbard
Dairy Goat Selection - Overview Set goals Breed/s Selection Budget Confirmation/ Traits Milk Statistics - Quantity/Quality Breeding Performance Health status/ testing Bringing home your new animals
Goals for Selecting Dairy Goats Goal Animal Type¹ $$ Where to look² Desired Age Notes³ Homestead Use PB, CB high - low B, CF, H any good personality Expand commercially PB, CB high - medium B, CF any, 2-3 year old is preferred Fit into larger herd Show, sell breeding stock PB high B, CF any, 1-3 month old is preferred Excellent genetics, look at family lines Family Fun goat PB, CB medium-low CF, H any easy personality Improve Herd PB high-medium B, CF any Sound genetics, look at family lines Companion animal PB, CB medium-low CF, H any socially adjusted personality YOUR GOAL: PB-Purebred, CB- Crossbred, B- Breeder, CF-Commercial Farm, H-Hobbyist
Dairy Goat Breeds ALPINE LaMANCHA Nigerian Dwarf NUBIAN Dairy Goat Selection Ann Starbard 17 May 2017
Dairy Goat Breeds OBERHASLI SAANEN TOGGENBURG
BUDGET Determine a capital budget for purchasing animals. Be realistic and practical. Start with newborn kids and slowly develop herd Purchase a few bred does and work with this foundation herd Purchase an established herd Add to an existing herd
Traits to avoid Why? Traits to Avoid Overall weakness Rough hair coat Irregular jaw Poor health, weak immune system Possible parasites, internal and external Difficulties tearing forage and cud chewing, especially with age Broken teeth Soremouth Caseous Lymphadentitis Winged shoulder Extra body fat Sway back Difficulties cud chewing, especially with age. Uneven wear of teeth can produce mouth sores. Active, open sores are contagious. Difficult to contain, spreads when abscesses burst. Detriment when selling breeding stock Weak animal, poor body capacity, low milk production Low milk production, health issues Weak animal, poor body capacity, often leads to poor legs and feet Steep rump angle Often associated with weak udder attachments, difficult breeding and birthing Weak udder attachments Poor udder shape/ teat placement Poor udder health, often leads to low milk production and problems with mastitis. Difficult to milk, problems with mastitis, low milk production Swollen knees Weak rear legs Difficult to stand, walk, forage, drink water. Prone to injury, general weakness and low milk production. Difficult to walk, forage, jump on milk stand. Prone to injury, general weakness, and low milk production. For buck - poor breeding performance. Posty or bowed legs Poor feet, bad hooves Difficult to walk and forage. Often seen with poor udder shape and attachments, low milk production. Difficult to stand, walk, forage, drink water. May lead to poor overall health. Bad attitude Kicks when milking Not any fun to work with! No one will want to milk!
Wattles
Milk Statistics Registered animals - pedigree information, milk stats for doe, buck DHIA monthly milk stats - Milk pounds, butterfat, protein, somatic cell score & more For cheese making- inquire about % yield, seasonal fluctuations Consider present feed regarding stats
Health Status/ Testing Tests to consider/issues to ask: Caprine Arthritis Encephalitis (CAE) Johnes Disease Caseous Lymphadentitis (CL) Q Fever Parasite Resistance Soremouth Brucellosis/ Tuberculosis Respiratory Ills Diarrhea
Bringing Animals Home Be prepared - shelter, feed, water, milking facility, fencing, HELP Expect drop in milk production QUARANTINE Minimize stress Set up transport vehicle for current weather conditions Proper health certificates and identification
We all need a tail to rest on now and again. Ann Starbard anniebstar17@gmail.com