Minnesota Dairy Goat Association
Interactive Scavenger Hunt
Milk Production
Does make a wide variety in the amount of milk per day. Of all the breeds in the world, dairy breeds have been bred to produce the maximum amount of milk. In small breeds like the Nigerian Dwarf, this averages to 1/2 gallon (about 4.3 pounds) a day, sometimes less and sometimes more, depending on a does' genetics. In standard breeds, the average, depending on breed, is one to three gallons (about 8.6 to 25.8 pounds per day).
It's crucial that good udder care is part of the regular milking routine. Farms need to watch for exterior injury and interior issues such as mastitis infections, which can be detrimental to a goat's long-term production.
The structure of the udder is very important. A good dairy goat will have the following things:
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Strong udder attachments to hold it up tightly to the body
- A capacious udder able stretch and fill full of milk
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A high, wide rear udder
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A strong medial suspensory ligament to define the udder halves
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Two, well-placed teats under the udder floor
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Nicely-sized teats - teats that are too small/short or too large/long
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Functional orifices - not too narrow, making it difficult to get milk out or too wide, allowing milk to leak out
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Soft, supple skin
