Dairy goat raising tips??

[chicken farmer]

I'm really thinking about getting a couple milking doe's probably alpines,I never raised goats and we have chickens/ducks/rabbits/dogs/cats/parakeets/turtles/and fish. And we have a little homestead hobby farm going. I would like to hear some tips on raising or anything you can tell me about milking goats or raising goats in general. We would build them a large shed coop like building for them as shelter and have them a pen probably half woods half yard and give them a couple big rocks and stumps and things to do. I would like to raise our own goats and get milk so we wouldn't have to buy that hopefully. I like to be more self sufficient and do my own thing out here in the country and not rely on the store. I would really appreciate any advice or tips..thanks!!!

 

[H Diamond]

Goats need: Shelter, fenced area to exercise in, fresh water, hay, grain (not every goat, but milking does will), secure fence, appropriate mineral, and some meds.
Always get two or more.
If you want to breed them (to get milk) you will either need a buck or find someone local that can service your does.
If you own a buck, he will need a SEPARATE area (shelter and run)
Make their shelter/pens bigger than what you start with. You will have babies, you will want to keep the babies, you will want to get more goats. Goats math works the same as chicken I believe.
You will need at minimum a stainless steel bucket, strainer, and jars or something to store your milk in.
Depending on what they have to eat in the pasture, your does will need a good quality hay. (alfalfa or alfalfa/grass mix) They need around 5% of their body weight a day in hay. Your milking does will also need a nice 16% grain ration for the stanchion when while you milk them.
They need a fresh clean water source.
Don't skimp the mineral... they need a goat quality LOOSE mineral. Not a block, they contain too much salt and the goats can't lick on them enough to get what they need.
Depending on your location, they may need copper and or selenium supplementation.
Most folks give a CDT vaccination to their animals also.
Be prepared for kidding.. are you going to pull the kids and bottle raise them? You will need a separate pen for that. Read up on what you need for a kidding kit... towels, iodine, etc. Get yourself a kid tube/syringe set. I know this may seem like an unecessary expense, but when the time comes you need to tube a kid and you don't have one you will really regret it when that kid dies because of it.
You'll need a place to milk that is out of the weather. You also need some means of keeping the doe secured while you milk her. My husband built me a couple stanchions... you can also buy them, and they work great.
If you're buying adult does, go milk them before you buy them. Seriously... don't buy a doe with itty bitty teats. You will really regret it.

And the most important advice I can give you...
Whatever you do, buy your animals from a CLEAN, reputable breeder. Do not bring an animal home without proof of negative CAE tests. Inspect the rest of the herd for signs they might have CL. Do not go to the auction and buy your animals. You run the risk of bringing disease home, and infecting your ground/barnyard with it for years.

I'm sure there is more, but some tips to get you started.