One of the most frequent questions I get asked is if I have does in milk for sale.
If you can't wait to start making your own milk, butter and cheese, it seems like the easiest, fastest thing to do is buy a goat who is already milk.
There are also breeders who freshen too many goats at one time, get overwhelmed with too much milk and kids, and are ready to sell off some of their hard-earned work for a cheap price if you come get it today!
If you can't wait to start making your own milk, butter and cheese, it seems like the easiest, fastest thing to do is buy a goat who is already milk.
There are also breeders who freshen too many goats at one time, get overwhelmed with too much milk and kids, and are ready to sell off some of their hard-earned work for a cheap price if you come get it today!
A Few Warnings About Does in Milk:
1. A doe in milk will lose most of her lactation (even if she freshened recently) from the stress of moving and change of feed, new herd-mates, being separated from her kids, etc.
2. Milking goats require intense work: this is not "free" milk!
- twice a day milking - 24/7/305 - in rain, heat, and freezing temperatures, no vacations without finding a neighbor who can milk
- unlimited high quality alfalfa and grass hay, expensive loose minerals, 6 cups of grain per day!
- greater needs than a pet goat: worms, mineral imbalances, illness, mastitis - do your research on how to treat these problems
3. Many mature does for sale are culls = Ask Questions and LISTEN!
- Many times they don't milk (should be pets) or they have health issues, structural issues, rotten personalities, etc.
- Occasionally a doe may be a poor milker but do well in the show ring.
- Every breeder has different goals in mind, so you may find does that are excellent milkers that are over-height (disqualified from the show ring.)
- Every herd is different, a cull in one herd is a treasure for a herd just starting out. Breeders can only keep so many goats. In order to keep this year's kids, they need to sell their proven mature does.
- I try to provide data and be honest, but it's the buyer's responsibility to understand the data and tell me what they are looking for. How much is 2 lbs of milk? Is an appraisal score of 84 good or bad? I AM HAPPY TO ANSWER ALL YOUR QUESTIONS!
- the cheaper the doe = the bigger her problems.
- females only continue breeding until age 9-11. So a GCH 8 year old doe may only have one more litter. Every goat is different, so breeders don't know when a doe will stop getting pregnant.
4. Because we run a performance breeding program, our does in milk won't be available until at least after their peak production (the first 3-6 months.)
- we do monthly milk test to see who milks the best
- we are proving out sires and dams to track genetics
- we are earning stars on these does, so we don't lose a generation
- we show them and get them linear appraised to see who has the best structure
* we are basically trying to keep the does that best meet our breeding program and offer extras for sale after we have data on them.
5. Not Cheap!
- After we have put so much time and training into a doe, even one that doesn't meet our breeding goals will be at least $400-1000+.
- Every doe has a different situation that is reflected in her price. Occasionally I may give a discount to a good home for a special doe.
2. Milking goats require intense work: this is not "free" milk!
- twice a day milking - 24/7/305 - in rain, heat, and freezing temperatures, no vacations without finding a neighbor who can milk
- unlimited high quality alfalfa and grass hay, expensive loose minerals, 6 cups of grain per day!
- greater needs than a pet goat: worms, mineral imbalances, illness, mastitis - do your research on how to treat these problems
3. Many mature does for sale are culls = Ask Questions and LISTEN!
- Many times they don't milk (should be pets) or they have health issues, structural issues, rotten personalities, etc.
- Occasionally a doe may be a poor milker but do well in the show ring.
- Every breeder has different goals in mind, so you may find does that are excellent milkers that are over-height (disqualified from the show ring.)
- Every herd is different, a cull in one herd is a treasure for a herd just starting out. Breeders can only keep so many goats. In order to keep this year's kids, they need to sell their proven mature does.
- I try to provide data and be honest, but it's the buyer's responsibility to understand the data and tell me what they are looking for. How much is 2 lbs of milk? Is an appraisal score of 84 good or bad? I AM HAPPY TO ANSWER ALL YOUR QUESTIONS!
- the cheaper the doe = the bigger her problems.
- females only continue breeding until age 9-11. So a GCH 8 year old doe may only have one more litter. Every goat is different, so breeders don't know when a doe will stop getting pregnant.
4. Because we run a performance breeding program, our does in milk won't be available until at least after their peak production (the first 3-6 months.)
- we do monthly milk test to see who milks the best
- we are proving out sires and dams to track genetics
- we are earning stars on these does, so we don't lose a generation
- we show them and get them linear appraised to see who has the best structure
* we are basically trying to keep the does that best meet our breeding program and offer extras for sale after we have data on them.
5. Not Cheap!
- After we have put so much time and training into a doe, even one that doesn't meet our breeding goals will be at least $400-1000+.
- Every doe has a different situation that is reflected in her price. Occasionally I may give a discount to a good home for a special doe.
Rewards of Buying a Doe in Milk From Noall's Ark
1. Trained!
- does who are friendly (bottle-raised from birth and handled extensively)
- calm on the milk-stand and come to their name to get milked (because we pulled their own kids at birth and bottle-fed them)
- trained to a milk-stand, used to twice a day milking with machine and by hand
- trained to lead
- have been shaved (usually more than once) for shows or linear appraisal
- have had their feet trimmed multiple times
- have been trailered to shows
- bonded with children; my kids do the milking, shaving, showing, bottle-feeding, etc. My goats are used to the noise and energy of kids during milking time.
2. Healthy!
- vaccinated at the right ages
- dewormed
- raised with our best research regarding minerals and feed.
- received appropriate medical care when needed: antibiotics, cuts stitched up,
- disbudded properly
- hooves trimmed regularly
- udders watched and cared for with proper hygiene and dry off practices.
- yearly disease testing for CAE, CL, and Johne's - negative for the whole herd.
3. Registered with ADGA!
- I do not sell any breeding animal without papers. Papers just track who they are, for better or worse.
- not just registration papers but an online performance record of their milk tests, linear appraisals, etc.
- ability to be shown at ADGA shows
- easy to put on ADGA DHIR, if you want to continue with milk test in your own herd
- can be linear appraised through ADGA
- ADGA and CDCB awards: SG, elite, etc.
4. Earned their star!
- For my does that means monthly milk records (often for a full 305 days) that include butterfat and protein.
5. Linear appraised/Shown!
- You can see a judge's opinion of the strengths and weaknesses of this animal.
- Keep in mind that a yearling score is often in the mid-80s range and can improve a lot as they reach maturity (3-4 years old)
6. Generations of Performance Pedigrees!
- You can usually see what their parents, siblings, and offspring are all doing for milk production and structure.
7. Show pictures!
- We try to get pictures of every doe when she is fully uddered and shaved for show.
- We have learned a few tricks on how to set up a doe and best lighting and angle.
- You are welcome to use any of our pictures, as long as you give us photo credit and a link to our website. Thank you!
8. If you buy a doe in the fall, you may have the option for having her bred to one of our bucks before she leaves!
- THIS is a great option as it allows the doe to get well-adjusted to her new home before she gives birth.
- you get peak lactation
- you get a litter of registered kids
- you don't have to own a buck
- you get to use my proven, expensive bucks who are usually not for sale
- you will have a reliable due date as we only put the buck in when the doe is in heat.
- does who are friendly (bottle-raised from birth and handled extensively)
- calm on the milk-stand and come to their name to get milked (because we pulled their own kids at birth and bottle-fed them)
- trained to a milk-stand, used to twice a day milking with machine and by hand
- trained to lead
- have been shaved (usually more than once) for shows or linear appraisal
- have had their feet trimmed multiple times
- have been trailered to shows
- bonded with children; my kids do the milking, shaving, showing, bottle-feeding, etc. My goats are used to the noise and energy of kids during milking time.
2. Healthy!
- vaccinated at the right ages
- dewormed
- raised with our best research regarding minerals and feed.
- received appropriate medical care when needed: antibiotics, cuts stitched up,
- disbudded properly
- hooves trimmed regularly
- udders watched and cared for with proper hygiene and dry off practices.
- yearly disease testing for CAE, CL, and Johne's - negative for the whole herd.
3. Registered with ADGA!
- I do not sell any breeding animal without papers. Papers just track who they are, for better or worse.
- not just registration papers but an online performance record of their milk tests, linear appraisals, etc.
- ability to be shown at ADGA shows
- easy to put on ADGA DHIR, if you want to continue with milk test in your own herd
- can be linear appraised through ADGA
- ADGA and CDCB awards: SG, elite, etc.
4. Earned their star!
- For my does that means monthly milk records (often for a full 305 days) that include butterfat and protein.
5. Linear appraised/Shown!
- You can see a judge's opinion of the strengths and weaknesses of this animal.
- Keep in mind that a yearling score is often in the mid-80s range and can improve a lot as they reach maturity (3-4 years old)
6. Generations of Performance Pedigrees!
- You can usually see what their parents, siblings, and offspring are all doing for milk production and structure.
7. Show pictures!
- We try to get pictures of every doe when she is fully uddered and shaved for show.
- We have learned a few tricks on how to set up a doe and best lighting and angle.
- You are welcome to use any of our pictures, as long as you give us photo credit and a link to our website. Thank you!
8. If you buy a doe in the fall, you may have the option for having her bred to one of our bucks before she leaves!
- THIS is a great option as it allows the doe to get well-adjusted to her new home before she gives birth.
- you get peak lactation
- you get a litter of registered kids
- you don't have to own a buck
- you get to use my proven, expensive bucks who are usually not for sale
- you will have a reliable due date as we only put the buck in when the doe is in heat.
Do Your Research and Get Prepared!
1. Equipment needed: see my page for links to needed equipment
- milk-stand is necessary
- teat spray (Fight Bac)
- wipes – unscented baby wipes
- grain- Purina goat chow and C.O.B.- Corn, Oats, and Barley
- bucket to hold grain that fits on the milkstand
- bucket or container to milk into
- milk filters and strainer https://www.caprinesupply.com/catalogsearch/result/?q=milk+strainer
- milkstand – makes milking so much easier! https://www.ebay.com/itm/GOAT-MILK-STAND-FITTING-STAND-COMBINATION-/302923677628
- kidding supplies: fiascofarm.com/goats/kidding.htm
- equipment for raising kids: disbudding iron, bottles, vaccine and needles, castration bands, tattoo gun
2. Kid- Raising:
- be ready to be a goat mid-wife and reposition or pull stuck kids https://fiascofarm.com/goats/kidding.htm#kidpositions
- goat in labor = no sleep
- I recommend separating kids at birth and bottle-feeding them = tame mom and tame babies
- kids need disbudded (horns burned) at 7-10 days of age.
- vaccinated with CD&T toxoid at 5, 8, and 12 weeks of age.
- separation of buck kids at 6-7 weeks old
- castration of buck kids at 8-12 weeks old
3. Doe Health:
- free choice minerals
- CD&T vaccination at 3-5 weeks before her due date
- deworming (different dewormers have different rules about if they are safe for pregnancy or if the milk is safe for people to drink.)
- mastitis, pneumonia, staph, etc.; you need a good veterinarian, mentor breeders, and to be familiar with common symptoms.
4. Registration?
- how to register kids with ADGA
- do you want to participate in performance programs? milk test? show? linear appraisal?
- ear tattoos: tattoo gun, letters, ink
- milk-stand is necessary
- teat spray (Fight Bac)
- wipes – unscented baby wipes
- grain- Purina goat chow and C.O.B.- Corn, Oats, and Barley
- bucket to hold grain that fits on the milkstand
- bucket or container to milk into
- milk filters and strainer https://www.caprinesupply.com/catalogsearch/result/?q=milk+strainer
- milkstand – makes milking so much easier! https://www.ebay.com/itm/GOAT-MILK-STAND-FITTING-STAND-COMBINATION-/302923677628
- kidding supplies: fiascofarm.com/goats/kidding.htm
- equipment for raising kids: disbudding iron, bottles, vaccine and needles, castration bands, tattoo gun
2. Kid- Raising:
- be ready to be a goat mid-wife and reposition or pull stuck kids https://fiascofarm.com/goats/kidding.htm#kidpositions
- goat in labor = no sleep
- I recommend separating kids at birth and bottle-feeding them = tame mom and tame babies
- kids need disbudded (horns burned) at 7-10 days of age.
- vaccinated with CD&T toxoid at 5, 8, and 12 weeks of age.
- separation of buck kids at 6-7 weeks old
- castration of buck kids at 8-12 weeks old
3. Doe Health:
- free choice minerals
- CD&T vaccination at 3-5 weeks before her due date
- deworming (different dewormers have different rules about if they are safe for pregnancy or if the milk is safe for people to drink.)
- mastitis, pneumonia, staph, etc.; you need a good veterinarian, mentor breeders, and to be familiar with common symptoms.
4. Registration?
- how to register kids with ADGA
- do you want to participate in performance programs? milk test? show? linear appraisal?
- ear tattoos: tattoo gun, letters, ink