Start here
New to dairy goats? Start here.
A step-by-step path through everything Pure Goat Farms has published, in the order we wish we had learned it — from choosing a breed to your first wheel of cheese.
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01
Decide what you want from your goats
Milk for the house, cheese, soap, brush clearing or simply good company? Your goal decides your breed, herd size and setup. Most families who want milk start with two dairy does.
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02
Set realistic milk expectations
A full-size dairy doe averages roughly three-quarters of a gallon a day across her lactation; a Nigerian Dwarf about a quart. Knowing this keeps you from buying too many — or too few — goats.
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03
Understand the lactation cycle
Goats only start producing milk after kidding, peak around six to eight weeks, and need a dry period before the next kidding. Plan breeding around when you want milk.
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04
Build a milking routine you can keep
Twice a day, about 12 hours apart, every day. Set up a milking stand, a stainless pail and a way to chill milk fast before your first doe freshens.
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05
Feed for health and milk
Good hay first, clean water always, loose goat minerals free-choice, and a dairy ration on the stand for milkers.
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06
Turn surplus milk into something that keeps
Spring milk is abundant. Fresh chevre, aged cheese and frozen milk carry you through the dry months.
Before your first goats come home
Tick them off as you go — your progress is saved on this device.
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