Raw Goat Milk Testimonials, Benefits and Drawbacks

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Raw Goat Milk Testimonials, Benefits and Drawbacks
« on: January 23, 2008, 04:40:51 PM » by NotLuckyButBlessed

I have seen such a difference in my husband's health since he started drinking raw goat milk. So I thought I'd share it here and also hope to read testimonials of others.

I could go into a long history but won't take the time. Suffice it to say, my husband has not had a strong immune system. If there is anything going around, he is usually the first to get it, gets it the worst, and it hangs on the longest. He also has had a wart on his hand that kept growing and starting new ones. He had it chemically treated Shocked

several times to no avail.

There has been a bad cold type sickness going around that even I got (rare for me) and he didn't even catch it. Last week he had the sniffles and thought he had succumbed to it, but now it is gone. The huge wart on his hand is suddenly shrinking and some of the others have shrunken so much they are pretty much gone. He has not had it treated by the doctor for at least two years and he has not used any home treatment for quite some time.

As a family, we have had a very stressful year. His job is more stressful than ever. None of us is getting any younger. All that to say, if anything, he should be worse -- not better.

The ONLY change in his diet or lifestyle is that he drinks raw goat's milk. Each night after milking he drinks a glass from that morning. He hates to miss it. He craves it all day. A miracle indeed!

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Re: Raw Goat Milk Testimonials, Benefits and Drawbacks
« Reply #1 on: January 23, 2008, 04:49:12 PM » by burlsgirl

Thanks so much for that testimony! We're supposed to be getting our goats this Spring, just waiting for them to kid. Just today, I was pondering if it was really going to be worth the added work. Thanks for the reassurance!

Blessings,
Emily

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Re: Raw Goat Milk Testimonials, Benefits and Drawbacks
« Reply #2 on: January 23, 2008, 05:48:49 PM » by tynnille

Hello Emily,
We have goats and have had them for about 9 months now. We enjoy the milk greatly, we make keifr and have made ice cream and ricotta cheese. I would like ice cream more often, but am waiting to buy the electric kind that doesn't require ice.
I guess there are days we would not like to worry about milking, but those days are few and far between.
We have learned about how to make them work in our family. When you read on the internet everyone says they are very shcedule oriented and so on, though this may be true in general, we decided very early on not to let them run our lives. So when we first got them I was up at 6:30 milking. Now, they are happy when I am out there at 8:30. You just adjust the eveing time a bit to allow for more eveing milk. I don't milk exactly 12 hours, but when it works best. i try to keep it as similar as possible, but some days you just have to milk late or early.
We used to let them have free roam of our half acre till one day they ate checks out of my husbands hand...getting the goats wasn't top priority on his list anyway, though he gets a kick out of them. So now we have them sectioned off in about a 40 by 60 area. They don't love it but they are used to it now.
As for health benefits. Well, I think the kefir has been the most beneficial, but my allergies seem a bit worse now with the milk than before when we didn't drink any milk at all. THis is nothing worth getting rid of the girls since the milk is so very good for the boys and so very delicious, but I think depending on how severe a persons milk allergy mgiht be even raw goats milk may cause some reaction...but, I cannot say that my diet has been perfect, so it may very well be the increase in sugar or other such items.
People say goats are very smart. I think they are just stubborn and unwilling to give up. SO if they want something it is not that they are so smart they figure out what to do, they just have a very serious one track mind. I have found myself too many times angry at the goat and wishing they were less goat like...I don't think the problem lies with the goats!
They really aren't that much work once you have everything in order. From start (washing the bucket, strip cup and strainer) to putting the milk in freezer or making kefir, the whole process takes about tops 30 minutes. But depepnding on the help you have from you husband and children to getting pens, stalls, stands, and the such together, it may be a lot of work to begin with. But it is a learning process. We have now gotten to a place where they fit in our family and no one gets frustrated with them. They definatley have a cost as well. For two goats i buy 2 bags of non-organic, soy-ridden feed, 2 hay bales and a bag of alfalfa cubes about every 3 weeks (about $45-50). Not to mention the herbal de-worming and extra treats like sunflower seeds,coconut, and flax seeds.
If you desire more info on how I do the cleaning, spraying and such just let me know.
They are fun animals. OUr family is proud of being able to use our land to produce things that are healthy and necessary. They are a blessing to have even if some days are more frustrating than others.
I reall think you will enjoy them especially if theu hubby is on board with you.
Tennille

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Re: Raw Goat Milk Testimonials, Benefits and Drawbacks
« Reply #3 on: January 23, 2008, 06:42:39 PM » by farmgirls

Emily,
I have been raised with goats. In my whole life, there has only been one year that we did not have goats! I have been raised on goat milk to the extent were I don't even care for cow milk! I love it! I am not a huge milk fan, but I do prefer the goat. We make cheese, and drink the milk, but I am hoping to make goat milk soap and maybe try some butter! Shocked

It should be interesting as goat milk is naturally homogenized, so not a whole lot of cream!
I am the milker in our family. Right now I am down to 2 goats, but the spring of 2007 I was milking 9 all by hand! It was a lot of fun, but I now have a milker for the spring. We will have 9 again, but hopefully a lot more milk as most of last years were first fresheners. I milk at 4:30 and 4:30 pretty regularly. I have found 12 hours and 12 hours really raises the milk production.
I love spring, kidding, and all the other birthing going on! It is such a exciting time, though VERY tiring! I wake up several times every night for about a month just to check on them! Of course, they always kid in the middle of the night! Our first dairy goat is due on the 14th, she is my doe and huge, so I am hoping for twins or even triplets! She has had triplets before, so we will see.

We have sold milk shares, and one lady has told us that every year for years she has had the sniffles in the fall and this year she has had nothing! That was so incouraging for us as you can imagine.
We do not feed any organic feeds or anything, but we have found that a pelleted feed is nice as they can't pick through everything. Corn helps keep weight on, but you can't feed that only, as it causes acidosis. We also feed minerals free choice, and baking soda is something we try to keep out! They love that, so we could probably buy the stores out trying to keep the feeders full of that!
Hope this helps, enjoy your new adventure!
~farmgirls~

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Re: Raw Goat Milk Testimonials, Benefits and Drawbacks
« Reply #4 on: January 23, 2008, 09:18:15 PM » by gloryacres

Hi Emily
I just had to add my thoughts...I have had goats for going on 20 years.
Had a couple of milk cows b/4 that.
We love our goats.
Last night I had our first kid of this year. A little buck. I am so very excited as I will have milk to drink again. Grin

Store milk causes problems with us so we use it very little.
I think either you love goats or you do not. I have had many through the years and the Nubian's were the most "talkative" of the lot.
Wishing you the best. Have you ever read a book called..."Life in the Goat Lane"? It is very funny. I laughed so much the first time I read it.
Then I had my own "girls" and the book was more real and maybe not so funny. Humm...maybe it's time to read it again.

God Bless
Gail
Matt.6:33

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Re: Raw Goat Milk Testimonials, Benefits and Drawbacks
« Reply #5 on: January 23, 2008, 09:42:18 PM » by pljammie

Hi Emily,

I'm not sure you need any more positives, but I'll say that I LOVE my goats and they are easier and faster to milk than my cow. However, Elsie gives lots of cream and she is a sweety so we'll keep her! I have nubians. They have a good amount of butterfat and the milk is nice and creamy. I had a Saanen that died this past year and she gave more milk than the nubians, but her milk was less creamy. Skipper is my main milk goat and she is the one in my avatar. She is due around Easter and her sister Zoe is due next week so I will soon have baby kids and fresh milk.

OK...here's how we got into the goat business. I had a two year old son who had been chronically ill his first year of life. When he finally started to get some better, I thought he was lactose intolerant as he was weaned from the breast and started with chronic diarrhea and stomache cramps. After many dr's visits, tests, etc, he was on presc. meds for the stomache pain. We found a goat dairy and after trying it, found that he had no more stomache aches and now the doc can't believe he "outgrew" his asthma. I use the goat milk for great yogurt, kefir, feta, mozzarella, buttermilk and chevre. I'm still trying to figure out cottage cheese.

And if there was nothing else, I'd keep goats just to see the babies each spring. Nothing is cuter than a baby goat!

Blessings,
Jammie

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Re: Raw Goat Milk Testimonials, Benefits and Drawbacks
« Reply #6 on: January 23, 2008, 10:15:29 PM » by NotLuckyButBlessed

I love hearing your testimonial pljammie:) My littlest boy (15 months) has beeen on goat milk since he had to quit nursing. I thought he might be allergic to it as he has a rash that will not go away, but we found out it was not the goat milk -- yeah. It has such a low incidence of allergy that I was so shocked when everything seemed to point to that. He LOVES it. In fact, at 15 months he still drinks at least 4 bottles per day. I can even smell it in his wet diapers!I have not successfully made yogurt or anything else with it though. It always smells like goat. Eww.

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Re: Raw Goat Milk Testimonials, Benefits and Drawbacks
« Reply #7 on: January 23, 2008, 11:13:18 PM » by momof6

Did someone say GOATS?! We are awaiting the birth of some kids right now, and it is so exciting! We only have one doe right now, we raised her buck kid (castr.) for meat and butchered him over a week ago. Our girl is a real good milker, and that is why we got her (for the milk). But, she is so much more than that! She has a personality and I can't help but talk to her while I milk or do chores in her little shed. She's been a great asset to our family......and we can't wait for these new little ones to be born! We're hopin' one is a doe so we can raise her for milk, too. In the dry time, we are getting raw cow milk from a local farmer.
Our kids love the chevon so far.....they say it's their favorite meat.....

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Re: Raw Goat Milk Testimonials, Benefits and Drawbacks
« Reply #8 on: January 24, 2008, 03:07:28 AM » by Jekuthiel

Well, I'll have to jump in here, too! Grin

I also have goats, and produce milk for my family & the public (I've been licensed to sell RAW goat's milk now since August!).
I've had goats now for around 15 years now and love their personalities and especially the MILK!
I had 3 does kid last week (with 3 sets of twins), and have 5 more does to kid through April. I will be hand milking 9 by the time I'm done, as I'm still milking a yearling that kidded last year.
Milk goats WILL tie you down if they are milking as they must be milked twice a day every day (some can drop their does to once a day milking). I milk all year long as I don't like running out of my goat's milk! So, I don't have that "Winter Break" like some people have when they dry all their does off at the same time before kidding. You do need to have a fairly consistant milking schedule, if you want to keep milk production up. I know some people who milk 11 & 13 hrs, instead of the normal 12 hrs, because of their schedules. You can also set the time of day you milk to what works for you! I know some people milk at 5AM & 5PM. I usually milk at 9AM & 9PM or 11AM & 11PM depending on my current schedule. When I need to change my milking times I usually try and slide the times by 30mins or so (unless I'm milking early), so the girls get used to their new times easier and don't get tight (as this will tell them to decrease their milk production, just like with humans!).
Here's a few saying I found about Goat's Milk on the Internet, when I was looking for quotes for a info sheet to have on my table at the local Farmer's Market.
Jessica Wink

WHY GOAT’S MILK??

* Most lactose intolerant people have found that they can tolerate goat's milk. 1-in-10 people are allergic to the major protein of cow's milk (alpha S1 casein). The symptoms are almost identical to those of lactose intolerance. Both goat milk and human milk lack this offending protein.

* Goat's milk is a complete protein and contains every essential amino acid.

* Goats' milk was found to help with the digestive and metabolic utilization of minerals such as iron, calcium, phosphorus and magnesium.

* Goat's milk is closest to mother's milk than any other food.

* Children on goat's milk have been observed to sleep through the night and remain more satisfied between meals.

* The average size of goat milk fat globules is about two micrometers, as compared to 2 1/2 to 3 1/2 micrometers for cow's milk. These smaller sized fat globules provide a better dispersion and a more homogenous mixture of fat in the milk, another factor in making goat milk easier to digest.

* Goat milk protein forms a softer curd, which makes the protein more easily and rapidly digestible.

* Goat milk has more medium chain fatty acids than cow milk, which aids in easier digestion. Goat milk fat consists of 35 percent medium chain fatty acids, compared with 17 percent found in cow milk.

* Goat's milk contains a higher content of medium chain fatty acids (ie. capric and caprylic acids) which are used to inhibit Candida infections. These medium chain fatty acids are immune and energy enhancing.

* Goat's milk has long been used and recommended as an aid in the treatment of ulcers due to its more effective acid buffering capacity.

* Research carried out at the Department of Physiology of the University of Granada has revealed that goat milk has more beneficial properties to health than cow milk. Among these properties it helps to prevent ferropenic anaemia (iron deficiency) and bone demineralisation (softening of the bones).

« Last Edit: January 24, 2008, 03:09:00 AM by Jekuthiel »
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Re: Raw Goat Milk Testimonials, Benefits and Drawbacks
« Reply #9 on: January 24, 2008, 08:38:14 AM » by burlsgirl

Thanks for all the great testimonials!! I'm really looking forward to getting our does.

We're getting goats b/c we drink so much milk here, and I just really have issues with store bought cow's milk. We'll have had our goats several months before my son is weaned, so he'll move from breast milk to goat's milk. I'm excited to be able to provide that for him.

It's really neat how we came upon our does. About two years ago, I found a website for a goat dairy about 3 hours from here. I bookmarked it for later, and then, when dh has (finally) given us the go-ahead, I called the lady from the website up. I told her we needed two does, preferably Nubian. She was so amazed (at the Lord) b/c although they have many goats, they have two Nubian does that they bought at the same time several years back, and they've been together ever since. This lady's daughter has muscular dystrophy and is having to let go of her precious animals (she's been "doing" goats for about 16 years). She's just heartbroken about it, but they've been praying that they could find a family for these two does, that they wouldn't have to be separated. That's US!!!! So, it's really sweet how the Lord has provided for them (and us) with timing it just so.

They're due to kid this Spring, so I think by mid-April, we'll have our girls. The thing my girls are most excited about (and I'm thinking I may have lost my mind) is that with the mommy goats come their bottle feeding babies!!! Oh, well, nothing like diving right in, huh!

Blessings,
Emily

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Re: Raw Goat Milk Testimonials, Benefits and Drawbacks
« Reply #10 on: January 24, 2008, 09:05:02 AM » by HeyMom

oh, you will have so much fun....it is a lot of work, but so rewarding.

it is kidding season for us and we have had 6 kids born in three weeks! they are so sweet and adorable and everyone is involved in the bottlefeeding - we have Nubians, a Saanen, Toggenburgs and some Boers.

with the does "freshening" we love having our milk supply back!

if you ever have any questions please feel free to pm me!

enjoy your ladies and kids!

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Re: Raw Goat Milk Testimonials, Benefits and Drawbacks
« Reply #11 on: January 24, 2008, 09:15:13 AM » by burlsgirl

Oh yeah, I wanted to add that the kids of these does will be mixed breeds. I think one doe is bred to a Toggenburg, and the other maybe a Ober...something (just showed my ignorance Roll Eyes

). They'll be registered as "experimental", I think.

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Re: Raw Goat Milk Testimonials, Benefits and Drawbacks
« Reply #12 on: January 24, 2008, 12:58:21 PM » by NotLuckyButBlessed

Quote from: burlsgirl on January 24, 2008, 08:38:14 AM

The thing my girls are most excited about (and I'm thinking I may have lost my mind) is that with the mommy goats come their bottle feeding babies!!! Oh, well, nothing like diving right in, huh!

Blessings,
Emily

We have never bottle fed our babies. We want them to get their mother's milk. So we just leave them with mom until they start eating enough other food, then my dh separates them overnight and milks mom first thing in the morning. Then they are together all day and can feed on mom free choice. When we sell them they are much more accustomed to being w/o mom and mom is better adjusted to being separated and also being milked. We just pick up another milking at the end of the day after babies go. It has worked well for us so far.

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Re: Raw Goat Milk Testimonials, Benefits and Drawbacks
« Reply #13 on: January 24, 2008, 02:56:39 PM » by KADETMmom

You all are so nice and positive. We purchased goat milk for our babies after we switched to homebirth and the midwife gave us a good contact for raw milk (that was 11 years ago). Our dc have all needed some form of supplement before weaning.
My question: Way back then a friend "heard/read" that raw goat's milk was linked to asthma. ((I would disagree with her supporting that link with her younger brother's consumption of raw goat milk, but...)) What have you all heard on that? I have no idea of her source.

Thanks,
melanie

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Re: Raw Goat Milk Testimonials, Benefits and Drawbacks
« Reply #14 on: January 30, 2008, 08:03:35 PM » by thus_I_fight

Our daughter is allergic to cow's milk (along with many other things). We've given her goat milk, and so far she seems okay with it. Since I'm still nursing her I'm avoiding dairy foods, too, which I really miss. But I cannot stand the taste of goat milk. I know some people think it's wonderful, but I'm not one of them. Does anyone have any suggestions how to make it more palatable?

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Re: Raw Goat Milk Testimonials, Benefits and Drawbacks
« Reply #15 on: January 30, 2008, 10:16:16 PM » by Jekuthiel

Quote from: thus_I_fight on January 30, 2008, 08:03:35 PM

I'm avoiding dairy foods, too, which I really miss. But I cannot stand the taste of goat milk. I know some people think it's wonderful, but I'm not one of them. Does anyone have any suggestions how to make it more palatable?

Find another source!
I realize that some people have different taste buds and goat's milk will always taste off to them. BUT Goat's Milk DOESN'T have to taste bad, and shouldn't in my book!!!!!!!
I KNOW what bad milk tastes like and wouldn't touch it with a nine foot poll! I strive for GOOD tasting milk with my girls and many of the people who have tried my milk can't tell the difference!
There are lots of reasons for off tasting milk. Management, Feed, Health, and sometimes it's just the goat it's self. Some also say that how fast it's chilled makes a difference, though I have not found that to be the case with my milk.
Hope you can get your hands on some good tasting Goat's Milk and it really is GOOD!!!! Grin

Think I'll go grab a glass now!!! Cheesy

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Re: Raw Goat Milk Testimonials, Benefits and Drawbacks
« Reply #16 on: January 30, 2008, 11:45:39 PM » by thus_I_fight

Thank you for the suggestion. I have tried several sources, both raw and pasteurized (and canned once, which was a much stronger taste). I've also tasted raw cheddar-style cheese sold at the health food store. It all had the same strong after-taste, though some were stronger than others. I think it may just be me. Maybe I just need to keep trying it until I get used to it.

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Re: Raw Goat Milk Testimonials, Benefits and Drawbacks
« Reply #17 on: January 31, 2008, 01:15:11 AM » by Jekuthiel

Yes, the store milk is usually always strong, so I never recommend that. Maybe there's other local sources near you? I would probably also recommend milk from the higher butterfat breeds (Nubian, LaMancha & Nigerian), as there milk tastes sweeter and seems to last longer then the other breeds with a lower butterfat. I can drink my milk 3-4 weeks or more old and it still tastes great!
If you're ever in the NW WA area, you're more then welcome to come by for a visit. Wink

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Re: Raw Goat Milk Testimonials, Benefits and Drawbacks
« Reply #18 on: January 31, 2008, 08:54:45 AM » by HeyMom

Quote from: Jekuthiel on January 31, 2008, 01:15:11 AM

Loved your website AND the article on you and your herd in the Dairy Goat Journal!!! you and your four legged friends are famous! We LOVE our raw goats milk here and our goats are family to us.

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Re: Raw Goat Milk Testimonials, Benefits and Drawbacks
« Reply #19 on: January 31, 2008, 09:01:12 AM » by farmgirls

I don't know if this will help you in your search for new sources(if that is what you are going to do) but this has really been a help to us. Our farm is on here.
http://www.realmilk.com/sitemap.html

HTH!
~farmgirls~

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Re: Raw Goat Milk Testimonials, Benefits and Drawbacks
« Reply #20 on: January 31, 2008, 12:04:07 PM » by Jekuthiel

Quote from: HeyMom on January 31, 2008, 08:54:45 AM

Loved your website AND the article on you and your herd in the Dairy Goat Journal!!! you and your four legged friends are famous! We LOVE our raw goats milk here and our goats are family to us.

Thanks HeyMom!
It was a surprise to get asked to do the article and fun to see it in print. ;-)

Oh, and for those that would like to see it... I scanned it and have it up on my website here:
http://jekuthiel.com/DGJarticle.html

« Last Edit: January 31, 2008, 12:05:45 PM by Jekuthiel »
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Re: Raw Goat Milk Testimonials, Benefits and Drawbacks
« Reply #21 on: January 31, 2008, 01:28:15 PM » by RunAmokFarm

What a wonderful article!!! How awesome...
J

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Re: Raw Goat Milk Testimonials, Benefits and Drawbacks
« Reply #22 on: January 06, 2009, 10:39:45 PM » by abbilynn

I am thinking about getting a milking goat but have no clue whatsoever how to go about it! Our boys are all allergic to cow's milk (I don't tolerate it well either) so I was hoping they could handle goat's milk. I know someone who has some and they brought us a small jar tonight and I gave it to the boys, so we'll see how they do! Roll Eyes

We only live on 3/4 an acre, is that enough room? I'm going to order the book "Storey's Guide to Dairy Goats" since I have a ton of questions. I'm so excited though!!!!! The boys can't wait, they can't eat cheese but they know you can make cheese with goat's milk that they could have. Cheesy

I think it would be a fantastic experience for them to take care of the goat's. I was wondering though, where/how do you sell the baby goat's that the mother births if you don't keep them?

Thanks!!
abbilynn

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Re: Raw Goat Milk Testimonials, Benefits and Drawbacks
« Reply #23 on: January 07, 2009, 06:26:12 AM » by barngirl

Abbilynn,
Goats are Wonderful, and very easy to take care of! To start, I got a book from www.ohio4h.com and it is VERY helpful. It is a 4h leaders companion book, but is extremely informational, and I like it even better than Storey's guide

Sorry, I can't remember the name right now.
3/4 of an acre is enough for goats...they do better in pairs, but I think that you would still have enough room. All they need is a dry, draft free place to stay in the wet or cold months! If you have a family milker, you can sell their kids to the auction, to a farm store (I have done this in the past with my wether)...advertise in the advance newpaper. They're not hard to sell!
HTH,
Jenna

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Re: Raw Goat Milk Testimonials, Benefits and Drawbacks
« Reply #24 on: January 07, 2009, 11:07:55 AM » by ndmomof6

Abbilynn, we too are looking at purchasing some goats. But we have a huge farmyard.

The children and I tolerate goat's milk well. I haven't noticed any problems and we've been buying it for over a year.

I bought a couple of books at our local Tractor Supply Company (not sure if you have TSC where you are). They were a ton of help. I also got some books on chickens there...we seem to tolerate farm fresh eggs better than store bought.

Oh, and a lot of people here that milk goats milk Nigerian Dwarf (I think that's what they're called). They are smaller and would take up less room. Plus would be easy for your boys to handle.

Hope you find something that works for you.

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Re: Raw Goat Milk Testimonials, Benefits and Drawbacks
« Reply #25 on: January 07, 2009, 12:32:06 PM » by abbilynn

We would like to have two, it makes sense they do better in pairs. I will definitely check into the dwarf ones after I read a book about how to raise goats. So far the boys haven't had a reaction to it, although they've only had it once. Can you purchase a goat that's ready for milking or kidding? I also need to find where I could breed them so they continue to produce. How big of an area would they require? Do you build them a small shed to sleep in and get out of the weather? I've been reading the book "The Have More Plan" and it's been really helpful.

richinchildren - We also are looking into our own chickens. My oldest son is highly allergic to eggs, but I'm wondering how he would do if they were not from the store. I am nervous to try them though.

Oh, one more thing I wanted to add, I've found alot of great info online about the health benefits of raw goat's milk. I am so excited about that bc our two oldest children have/had leaky gut and other digestive issues on top of really bad seasonal allergies. I've read it can help with those things tremendously!

abbilynn

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Wife for 9 years, Mommy to three rambunctious boys!! Addict of reading, sewing and quilting.

Lover of Jesus, my hubby, my kids, and learning!

Re: Raw Goat Milk Testimonials, Benefits and Drawbacks
« Reply #26 on: January 07, 2009, 12:40:13 PM » by boysmama

If you want into goats join and read www.dairygoatinfo.com I am not saying you have to do everything they recommend (vaccines and tests), but you will save money on vet bills and get healthier, better tasting and more milk if you take their advice. The advice there is current, and more detailed and personal than you will find in most any book.
I LOVE dairy goats. We have 4 does and 1-2 bucks plus a dozen or more babies at times. I'd love to have more room, but our goats are doing well on 1/2 acre fenced land with the bucks and does separate. I could fill pages with advice, but I will spare you. Cheesy

If you have ??s feel free to PM. Check out www.urbanexod.us I wrote out a few posts a couple years ago. Maybe I should go back and see if I've changed... Sometimes I forget to check for posts there, but I do check for PMs regularly. Recently posted some stuff on what's in bagged commercial feeds. Read it and don't assume that what is recommend by the feedstore is the best option.

If you are wanting just wanting one milk doe for your family it is probably better to put the babies on a bottle right away and sell them off or butcher them out young.

We have found a huge difference in our family and in others in using milk and eggs that are produced without soy and genetically modified grains. Also the nutritional differences in free ranged and fertile eggs is amazing. Sunshine and natural whole grains/forage for animals making them healthier with healthier products makes sense, doesn't it? !!!

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Re: Raw Goat Milk Testimonials, Benefits and Drawbacks
« Reply #27 on: January 07, 2009, 09:07:48 PM » by abbilynn

Okay, is it really as overwhelming as it seems? Everything I've been reading just seems like so much. Parasites, feeding, housing, mastitis, vet bills, other illnesses, birthing kids, pre-kid care, post-kid care, ahhhhh!!! Maybe I should just find someone who sells it by the gallon instead. Huh

Although it would be fun, and a great experience for the kids, it doesn't seem to be in our budget. How much does one pay for a milking goat?

abbilynn

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Wife for 9 years, Mommy to three rambunctious boys!! Addict of reading, sewing and quilting.

Lover of Jesus, my hubby, my kids, and learning!

Re: Raw Goat Milk Testimonials, Benefits and Drawbacks
« Reply #28 on: January 07, 2009, 09:41:20 PM » by ndmomof6

Quote from: abbilynn on January 07, 2009, 09:07:48 PM

Although it would be fun, and a great experience for the kids, it doesn't seem to be in our budget. How much does one pay for a milking goat?

abbilynn

PM boysmama...she knows a lot and can answer your questions.

I've found that around here most people want $100-125 for does. Although my MIL did offer one to the children for $10.

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Lo, children are an heritage of the Lord: and the fruit of the womb is his reward. Psalm 127:3

Re: Raw Goat Milk Testimonials, Benefits and Drawbacks
« Reply #29 on: January 08, 2009, 11:53:09 AM » by LKS

It really doesn't have to be overwhelming at all! It can be very fun & easy. Books & articles try to cover the gammut of what you might run into but that doesn't mean you will have all those problems. Goats are very social & friendly, they are generally easy keepers, milking is fun & it is so satisfying knowing where your milk comes from. Can you maybe join 4H for some support?

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