Assess Temperament and Handling

Evaluate breed temperament before purchasing, since you will handle your goats twice daily during milking. Nigerian Dwarfs are widely regarded as the most docile and people-friendly miniature breed. Pygmies can be more stubborn on the milk stand. Kinders generally fall in between, inheriting the calm disposition of their Nubian parentage.

Why It Works

A calm goat stands still on the milk stand, lets down milk readily, and reduces the risk of kicked-over pails or spilled milk. Stress in goats directly lowers milk production and can cause off-flavors. Temperament is partly genetic and partly a product of early handling.

Tips

• Visit breeders in person and observe how goats interact with handlers before buying
• Ask whether kids were bottle-fed or dam-raised — bottle-fed does tend to be more people-friendly
• Handle kids daily from birth to build trust and ease future milking routines