Goats are ideal for small farms and families for whom a cow is too much.
Breeds
Nubian: 3-5 l/day, richest milk (4-5% fat). Saanen: 4-6 l/day, milder milk. Alpine: hardy, good yields in cold.
Advantages over Cow
Cost: $100-300 vs $1,000-3,000. Feed: 5x less. Space: 0.1 acre vs 0.5-1. Milk: easier to digest (small fat globules), suits allergic people. Temperament: smart, affectionate, children can milk from age 8.
Goat Cheese
Chèvre: milk + vinegar/lemon → heat → strain → molds. Ready in 2 hours. Sells for $8-15/lb at market. 1 gallon milk = 1 pound cheese.
Warning
Goats eat EVERYTHING: bark, bushes, fencing, laundry on the line, your hat. Fence minimum 1.2 m, sturdy. Goats are smarter than dogs and jump like deer. Underestimate a goat = lose your garden.