02/14/2026
Hand Milking Nigerian Dwarf Goats - Part 1: Why I Choose to Hand Milk
Over the years I’ve had a lot of questions about hand milking Nigerian Dwarf goats, sometimes questioning my choice not to buy a milk machine. I originally shared a series on this a few years ago, and since kidding season is coming around again, I thought I’d share an updated version of how I approach hand milking here at Mossy Rock Farm.
I personally really enjoy hand milking. I find it quiet and grounding, and it gives me a chance to connect with each doe individually every day. It means I am very aware of the strengths and weaknesses of each doe in regard to ease of hand milking, which is something I place a lot of importance on in my breeding program.
Another reason I continue to hand milk is simplicity. I don’t have the added expense or maintenance of a milk machine, clean up is much easier, and with does that are easy to milk, the process is very quick. Most of my does take less than two minutes each. Over time I’ve selected heavily for traits that make hand milking enjoyable and efficient. The difference between does can be night and day, and those differences absolutely influence my breeding decisions. In the next post I’ll go through the tools I use and my basic milking routine.
If you have questions as we go, feel free to ask - I’m happy to answer them as best I can! If you love to hand milk, or love your milk machine, I'd love to hear your thoughts too.
