My husband and I are talking about getting a milk cow/goat again. I have learned so much here but would like to ask some with more knowledge about this.
We are a family of 6 (2 adults, 4 kids - one teen and 3 under 8y) and could easily go through 4 gallons of milk a week though we try to keep it down to 2-3. Cheese, real butter and ice cream on top of that. I would not be the only milker as I'm sure the kids would want to help (later have to LOL) and I'd make DH have his turns as well. I would consider a small single milk machine but by hand would need to be the first option. I hope to make our own cheese and butter but have no idea how much milk that takes (I'd learn). We live on a beef cattle farm and the owners said they would help with feed and vet care in return for like a gallon of milk a week and some of the other stuff occasionally. We would also have use of the barn (I think) if we got cows though we would need to clean out an area for milking.
Questions:
How many cows or goats would we need to have an average milk production for our needs?
For cows, I don't think we would want a full Jersey as I understand they can have about 4 gallons a day. Is there another breed or good breed to cross with a jersey?
If we got goats, can calves drink goat milk?
For either, are there breeds that are more friendly/docile or is it more dependent on the animal it self (breeding) and how it is raised?
For a cow, well obviously we wouldn't have a problem breeding here living on a cattle farm. BUT would we need to get a male goat to go along with the females?
Ok, I think that is enough questions for now LOL. I look forward to reading responses. Thank you.
We are a family of 6 (2 adults, 4 kids - one teen and 3 under 8y) and could easily go through 4 gallons of milk a week though we try to keep it down to 2-3. Cheese, real butter and ice cream on top of that. I would not be the only milker as I'm sure the kids would want to help (later have to LOL) and I'd make DH have his turns as well. I would consider a small single milk machine but by hand would need to be the first option. I hope to make our own cheese and butter but have no idea how much milk that takes (I'd learn). We live on a beef cattle farm and the owners said they would help with feed and vet care in return for like a gallon of milk a week and some of the other stuff occasionally. We would also have use of the barn (I think) if we got cows though we would need to clean out an area for milking.
Questions:
How many cows or goats would we need to have an average milk production for our needs?
For cows, I don't think we would want a full Jersey as I understand they can have about 4 gallons a day. Is there another breed or good breed to cross with a jersey?
If we got goats, can calves drink goat milk?
For either, are there breeds that are more friendly/docile or is it more dependent on the animal it self (breeding) and how it is raised?
For a cow, well obviously we wouldn't have a problem breeding here living on a cattle farm. BUT would we need to get a male goat to go along with the females?
Ok, I think that is enough questions for now LOL. I look forward to reading responses. Thank you.