In the near future, we want to get a milking critter! We've had experience with cows in the past - hubby even used to work on a dairy. We've never raised goats, but the cheaper investment does appeal to us. I've never tasted goat milk or goat cheese, so I'm a little leary - but I do think they are awfully cute!

So, what's your opinion? Which do you prefer - cows or goats? WHY?

-- Cheryl in KS (cherylmccoy@rocketmail.com), October 22, 2001

Answers

I prefer cow but I can afford a goat! So I am also getting a milk goat in the spring. To me cow's milk makes better cheese,butter and a better overall taste. But goat's milk makes a great soap!

-- Micheale from SE Kansas (mbfrye@totelcsi.net), October 22, 2001.

I'll go the other direction and vote for goats. They are smaller, so easier for children and women to handle. The initial investment is less and we usually begin breeding when the yearling is about 70#, or 7 months (thereabouts), so the wait for milk or an offspring is less than waiting for a heifer to get to breeding age/weight. Or you could purchase a bred doe, they are pregnant for 150 days.

For the most part, the goat milk tastes very similar to cow milk. Without the "aftertaste". Of course, each animal is different, some have more butterfat than others and the taste also depends on the diet. If an animal doesn't eat a healthy diet, don't expect her to give healthy milk. I've also found that it's best not to use plastic milking equipment. I use stainless steel for the best cleanliness. An individual goat can give about 1 gallon each day, many goats give more!

Regarding cheese: Goat milk can be used to make any flavor of cheese that is normally made with cow milk. It's not like there's a new flavor called "goat cheese". The basic soft cheese is quite bland and you add the flavorings that you wish, such as horseradish, onion, dill, italian herbs, etc. I've used the plain cheese as a substitute for ricotta in lasagna, on top of baked potatoes, in scrambled eggs. Hard, aged cheeses can also be made. I've often made soft cheese and taken it to work for people to try. Most are surprised that it doesn't taste like a goat. Does cheese that you buy in a store taste like a cow? :)

Why don't you check out the books in the library to get some more info about their management and care. And I'm sure there will be others on this list that can give you more valuable information too. Good luck, whichever you choose.

-- Charleen in WNY (harperhill@eznet.net), October 23, 2001.

We went with goats mostly because of their size. I was afraid I wouldn't be able to handle an animal as large as a cow myself. We love our goats, and people are pleasantly surprised when they taste the milk how good it is, no "goaty" taste;) I also think that is a product of management, so here's a couple of hints: Don't run the buck with the does except to breed. He's the one that smells, and will quite deliberately rub that smell onto the girls!;) Also, keep it clean, use a scrub brush to clean your milk dishes, and chill the milk down fast. We strain, pasteurize, then sit the pan in a sink of ice water to bring the temp down fast(to maybe 65 or so) before refrigerating...As per those gallon milkers, my goats are not registered or fancy, but I haven't had one that would milk that much over the long term. I know others do. But I'd plan on getting a couple of does. They need the company, anyway...And, if I could also comment on breeding age, we bred our first does at 7 months and they both had difficulty kidding. The next time we waited til 10 months and everything went smoothly. We don't weigh the goats, so I don't know exactly how big they were, but sometimes a few extra months can make a difference.

-- mary (marylgarcia@aol.com), October 23, 2001.

I would rather have a cow; more people in the family like cow milk and I don't need special equipment to separate the cream from the milk. However, since space is limited, we are going to start with a goat next spring. Someday when we get more land, I hope to have both. I am looking into dual purpose cattle, but since we plan to get undeveloped or neglected land, the goats will clear some brush as well as feed other baby animals as we get them--and I want to learn to make soap.

-- Cathy N. (keeper8@attcanada.ca), October 23, 2001.

A goat since half of my family is allergic to cows milk, goats are easier to handle, eat less, for the ratio of milk you get for a cow/feed, we don't need that much milk a cow would give anyway.

-- Carol in Tx (cwaldrop@peoplescom.net), October 23, 2001.

Goats. No question about it. Gloria

-- Gloria (in MD) currently looking for a milker (mullinaxclan@webtv.net), October 25, 2001.

i like cows milk. but to tell u the truth i prefer goats milk. goats are easier to handle and they make the same things cows can. also goats are smaller and more affordable.

-- morgan (sweetteen559@aol.com), September 18, 2002.