Storey's Guide to Raising Dairy Goats: Breeds, Care, Dairying

by Jerry Belanger

For 17 years readers have turned to Storey Books for advice on raising animals. Our Modern Way series of six books has sold more than 1,000,000 copies. In an effort to provide readers with the best how-to animal books on the market we are completely updating all six Modern Way titles and reintroducing them as part of our Guide to Raising series. Written by experts, these guides give novice and experienced livestock farmers all they need to know to successfully keep and profit from animals. Each book includes information on selection, housing, space requirements, breeding and birthing techniques, feeding, behavior, and health concerns and remedies for illness. The books also address the business of raising animals -- processing meat, milk, eggs, and more. The authors were chosen not only for their expertise but also for their ability to explain the ins and outs of animal husbandry in an inviting and authoritative manner. Whether readers are ready to start an entire herd or flock or are considering purchasing their first animal, Storey's Guide to Raising series offers vital information; each book is an indispensable reference.

Genres: Nonfiction, Reference, Animals, Agriculture

288 pages, Paperback

First published January 8, 2000

About the author

In addition to writing books, Jerome D. (JD) Belanger founded Countryside and Small Stock Journal in 1969, sheep! magazine, Backyard Poultry in 1979, Dairy Goat Guide, and Rabbit World. He was an organic farmer for several years, and a homesteader for most of his life. Now retired in northern Wisconsin, he is known locally for his 30,000 spring bulbs and extensive collection of rare and unusual conifers.

Reviews

[Anie · Rating 4 out of 5]

A thorough and straightforward into to dairy goats, that gives a sense of the amount of work involved without making the prospect terrifying.

[Jessica · Rating 4 out of 5]

Can't speak to the practical value of the information in this book, but it was interesting and accessible. The only thing I'm skeptical of is the claim that "there is virtually no difference in taste... between whole, fresh cow milk and goat milk." Upon reading this, I went to the store ASAP and bought some goat milk, in case my memory of goat milk was wrong. It wasn't bad, but it was very goaty and clearly different from whole cow milk. I've never had farm fresh milk of either sort, so maybe farm fresh cow milk tastes like goat milk? Doubt it, though. I mean, the goaty-ness of goat milk is what makes goat cheese so delicious. I just don't get why the author decided to write a fat chapter about this implausible claim.

[Andrea · Rating 4 out of 5]

A really good starting point if you want a small herd of dairy goats, or are wondering whether you want goats. This book will give you a good foundation in goat care to use as a jumping off point for further research.

[cellomerl · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very enjoyable guidebook, written in a chatty, accessible style, with lots of useful information clearly presented and well organized. The authors treat the subject with a good sense of humour, so the writing isn’t dry.

[Loz · Rating 4 out of 5]

A delightful and welcoming intro to dairy goating.

[Kaitlyn · Rating 5 out of 5]

I rate Non-Fiction books based on how much information they have. This book was very informative hence the five star rating

[Matt · Rating 4 out of 5]

"The goal of the home dairy is to start out with the best milkers possible and then to improve the herd through breeding and selection...

"Peak production comes in the fourth or fifth year...

"Goat milk is more easily digested by humans than cow milk because most of the fat and protein particles are finer and more easily assimilated.

"Goat milk lacks a fat-agglutinating protein, a euglobulin, that would cause the fat globules to adhere to one another and mass up. In fact, the cow is probably the only domestic animal that produces this particular protein... when fat globules are forcibly broken by mechanical means [homogenization], an enzyme associated with milk fat (xanthine oxidase) is freed. This enzyme can penetrate the intestinal wall in humans, enter the bloodstream, and damage the heart and arteries, creating scar tissue...

"Bucks stink! And some bucks that were not properly raised or trained can be dangerous, especially to people not physically and mentally equipped to handle them...

"Some women goat owners have said their breeding bucks tend to be inappropriately amorous toward them, perhaps because of some confusion of pheromones in the heat of the rut..."

January
Check for lice, use louse powder if necessary
Vaccinate with CDT 45-60 days before kidding
Get everything ready for kidding-- iodine, feed pans, bottles/nipples, heat lamps

February
September bred-does kid
Disbud by 2 weeks old
Castrate by 4 weeks old
Spend lots of time with your kids

March
October bred-does kid
Feed hay first, limit time on fresh spring pasture due to grass tetany

April
Keep on dry hay first versus pasture to prevent bloating

May
Keep bedding dry to control flies

June
Provide shade and plenty of water

July
Provide shade and plenty of water

August
Deworm, vaccinations
Check production records for breeding prep for best-producing does

September
Record date bred does and expect dates

October
Prep lounging areas for winter

November
Exercise expectant does

December
Reduce amount of grain to expectant does
Breed any remaining unbred does

[Lana · Rating 3 out of 5]

I think I want to become a certified veterinarian before I take on goat raising. I also don't believe in drowning animals of either gender, just because YOU don't need or want them!

[Kristina Seleshanko · Rating 4 out of 5]

The ultimate guide. My only quibble? The authors constantly talk down to the reader.

[Dawn Magnus · Rating 5 out of 5]

Definitely a book to have on-hand for referencing. I read it cover to cover before we brought our goats home, but have already thumbed to sections more than a few times in the past month. Well presented information and copious useful imagery and photos.

[Michele Brack · Rating 5 out of 5]

#18 A book on a subject you know nothing about

I asked a fellow librarian friend of mine what I should read for this challenge. It was difficult to come up with an answer because being the information grazer that I am, I know a little bit about a lot of things so finding something that I know nothing about was hard. She chose this and I had to admit I knew nothing about the practice. Now though, I know enough to know that I could never personally run a farm of dairy goats. And that is fine with me. That being said they are still cute and adorable.

(For those interested, when she asked me what she should read for this prompt, I sent her down the road of serial killers, of course.)

[Nani Restocruz · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great reference book as me and my family venture into the dairy goat world. This was very informational. I am thinking about purchasing this book. I can go through it front and back and from the center.

[Clara · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was EXTREMELY helpful, I finished it in one day! It made me really excited to get dairy goats!

[Brittney Jedlicka · Rating 5 out of 5]

Storey's guides are always informative.

[Donda Johnson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lots of good information

[Nancy · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an excellent, comprehensive reference book that I'm sure I'll be referring to repeatedly as I begin my goat adventures!

[Karen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Informative, like all of the Storey’s Guides I’ve read. This one was especially encouraging, despite the complexities of raising dairy goats.

[Natalie Goodman]

Oh dear me... What did we get ourselves into

[Wayfaring_Jessica · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love Storey's guides books. They're very helpful and informative. Great for beginners wanting to learn before deciding on an animal. And great reference for later if you do get these animals.

[SteFF · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very informative

[Missi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very thorough! Tons of info, definitely will but when I am closer to keeping goats.

[Vanessa · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great book for a beginner or someone looking for information on goats.

[Ian Ward · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is goated.

[Jack Smith · Rating 3 out of 5]

awesome

[Marie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Highly informative. Would recommend if you're considering getting goats.

[Annie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Originally published on my blog: Nonstop Reader.

Storey Publishing is well known for producing practical, sensible, well illustrated books aimed at helping smallholders and gardeners get the best out of their properties and small farms. Many of their books and leaflets have found a permanent place in my gardening library and I turn to them often for inspiration and advice.

Raising Dairy Goats , originally published more than 40 years ago, is now in its 5th edition with updated information and many new photographs.

I have heard many people call this the 'goat bible' and it really is. It is comprehensive, well written with sensible timely advice and covers pretty much every eventuality.

The book starts from a very basic introductory level (what are goats, where are they from, what are they like, how do they react to different situations) and moves through very well written chapters concerning milk and dairy products, how to source your first goat(s) and which breeds to buy (or even how to decide if purebred animals are suitable for your needs). The next chapters cover how to house, feed and care for your goats and how to estimate costs. I really liked the examples used in the book concerning how to figure the costs of the dairy and/or meat you produce from your goats.

There is a very in-depth chapter on health and how (and when) to consult a professional and what healthcare and grooming tasks can be carried out by the owner.

To produce milk and dairy, the does must produce kids, and to produce kids, they must be bred. There are comprehensive (and realistic) chapters on buck goats and the inherent challenges they represent (and how to decide if you need to own a buck or not), breeding, kidding, milking and producing cheese and other items, including meat.

The book concludes with appendices, a resource section with links, a glossary and a very useful index.

For the last 40+ years, if people bought one goat book, it would be Storey's Guide to Goats. The 5th edition is a worthy addition to that legacy. A wonderful updated encyclopedic sensible book for the homesteader or 'someday' goat owner.

Five stars. Couldn't be better written or presented in my opinion.

Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher.

[Erin Caldwell · Rating 4 out of 5]

Once again, Storey's guide is the authority on animals. We just bought two saanens and needed the lowdown on raising them in a hurry. This book was great for that purpose. The only thing I wish he covered in more detail was basics of owning a goat, such as how often to change their bedding, how much to feed them, if they can stay outside all day, etc. But all books/sites seem to overlook those necessary details, so Storey (Belanger) isn't alone. I did appreciate Belanger's unique tone and dry humor, something I didn't notice in the other Storey books I read.

[M T White · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book lacks detailed instructions for many things, with the suggestion you go "talk to people that own goats" to procure answers.

Much of the care instruction amounts to "some people do this, other people think that's no good. Whatever, figure it out."

It did not at all meet the detailed instructions I'd come to expect from Storey's Guides. I will have to purchase additional books on dairy goat care before feeling confident about owning and caring for one.

[Country Goose · Rating 4 out of 5]

I personally like the book. It contains decent information and author's opinions regarding standard information such as fencing, feeding, and housing as well as dairy recipes from cheeses and yogurt to ice cream and sherbet.

Where the health portion is concerned, it provides basic health problems that could occur in a herd, however it is not a substitute for veterinary care and should only be used as research for possible occurances not to be used as a diagnosis.

[Naftoli · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is certainly a good book for the budding goat enthusiast although some of the information is outdated; it is a bit folksy. I would like to have seen tables and charts with up-to-date information from the leading goat registries. In short, it is more of a neophyte's book rather than a book for the experienced goat keeper.