Dairy Goats
The goat pictures on our website are taken during visits to our partner dairies.
Toggenburg
Originally from the Toggenburg Valley of Switzerland and have a sturdy build. They are known to thrive in cooler conditions and are incredibly affectionate.
Alpines
Known for adaptability and thrive in many environments. They have upright ears and their hair color often comes in patterns. Alpines were first introduced to the United States from France in 1922.
Saanen
Saanens came to the United States in the early 1900’s. They are white or light cream in color and have upright ears. Their mellow personalities and generous milk production make them a popular dairy goat.
LaMancha
LaManchas are a unique breed recognized for their tiny ears. They have an extremely friendly temperament and are quite curious.
Nubians
Nubians have long, silky ears and large noses. They’re vocal, affectionate, and very chatty. You’ll find them in a variety of colors including ones with spots.
10 Fun Facts About Goat Kids
- From Goats to Kids: For centuries, the young of a goat have been called kids. It wasn’t until the 1800’s that the word kid was extended to children.
- Twins Are the Norm: Goat kids most commonly arrive as twins.
- Nibble to Learn: Kids use their lips to learn about the world around them. Intelligent and curious, they love nibbling (not eating!) just about anything around them.
- Fleshy & Dangly "Wattles": Some goat kids are born with “wattles,” the fleshy, dangly things on their necks. They serve no purpose and are believed to be a genetic trait left over from evolution.
- Goat Reunion: Siblings know each other! At one of our dairies, a goat who returned to the farm after being gone for nearly two years quickly found her twin sister, and the two are best friends.
- Born to Bounce: Kids begin climbing and jumping off tree stumps and bales of hay when they are just a week old.
- Cuddle Puddle: Like human kids, goat kids like to snuggle. The “kid pile” or “cuddle puddle” is a common sight in the barn nursery, as they curl up with each other for companionship and warmth.
- Bottle Bonding: When bottle-raised, kids will bond with their caregivers. Farm staff, friends, and family members cherish these sweet, slow moments with the goat kids.
- Bleat and Greet: The vocal sound a goat makes is called a bleat. Mother and kid goats recognize each other’s calls soon after the mothers give birth. Goat kids also bleat when they’re excited to see their caregivers at feeding time.
- Up in Minutes: Goat kids learn to stand within minutes of being born.
