The Real Cost of Raising a Dairy Goat: From Kid to Milking Doe

🐐 What Does It Really Cost to Raise a Dairy Goat From Birth to Milking Age?

As breeding season begins here on the farm — with five does already showing signs they may be bred — I find myself reflecting on the true cost of raising a goat from birth.

It’s a long journey from that just-born kid finding its legs to the day she’s standing steady on the milk stand.

There are moments when I wonder, wouldn’t it be simpler to buy a doe already in milk? A quality healthy doe in milk can be difficult to find, though.

But what if one skips the waiting, skips the months of feeding and care before she ever gives a drop. The truth is, the bond can be built in the waiting and the journey.

Watching them grow, their crazy goat kid antics, investing in their health, and knowing their story from the very beginning makes that first bucket of milk all the more meaningful.

Raising goats is one of the most rewarding parts of farm life. Those kids bring joy every season. But what does it actually cost to get her from birth to the milk stand?

Whether you’re new to goats or just curious about the real investment behind that glass of goat milk, here’s a breakdown of the major expenses:

1. Starting Costs: From Birth or Purchase

If you’re breeding your own goats, your costs begin with prenatal care for the doe, kidding supplies, and newborn care. If you’re buying a kid, registered dairy doelings often range anywhere from $300–$600 and up, depending on breed and genetics.

Unregistered kids are usually less, but may not carry the same production potential or resale value.

One major advantage of purchasing registered goats is access to their pedigree or family tree. This allows you to see milk production records (if recorded), show history, and the quality of the genetics behind your goat.

For anyone looking to build a strong milking herd, this information is invaluable when choosing animals that will produce well and pass on desirable traits.

2. Feeding the Growing Goat

Goats need consistent nutrition from the start. And I mean consistent and quality feed! I’ve seen what happens to goats on other farms who do not receive quality nutrition and it’s heartbreaking.

Feeding a goat includes:

• Milk Feeding (first 8–12 weeks): Either from the dam, your own herd milk, or milk replacer ($50–200+). I bottle-raise most of my goat kids on our own fresh goat milk—a big savings for us, though it does limit how much milk I have available for customers. Each kid still receives its own mama’s colostrum right after birth to give it the best start.

• Alfalfa Hay: A growing goat eats about 3–4 lbs daily. At an average of $150–$400 per ton, that works out to roughly $100–200 in hay from weaning until first freshening.

• Grain: Young doelings and does in late pregnancy need extra energy. About ½–1 lb/day, costing $15–25 per 50 lb bag. We buy our nonGMO feed locally by the ton.

• Minerals & Supplements:

  • Loose goat minerals: $20–30 every few months. Drop a comment to learn what my favorites are.

  • Copper boluses, selenium/vitamin E (given at birth), Multimin, baking soda: ~$50+ per year.

  • Kelp meal: A natural source of trace minerals, iodine, and digestive support and o. Costs about $125 per 50 lb bag, lasting several months depending on herd size.

  
  
  
  

3. Health & Veterinary Expenses

Healthy goats are productive goats. Raising from kid to freshener usually includes:

• Vaccinations (CD&T): $10–15 per goat.

• Coccidia & Deworming Treatments: $20–50 depending on products used. I like to be as natural as possible as much as possible.

• Hoof Trimming: Supplies are $30–50 one-time, plus regular labor. But I’ve never paid myself!

• Disease Testing: We test for CAE, CL, Johne’s, and Q Fever. In addition, state of Idaho requires yearly testing for tuberculosis and brucellosis for our raw goat milk permit. Lab fees run $25–40/test per disease. Also add in farm visit fees!

• Unexpected Vet Visits: Always budget for surprise illnesses, injuries, or kidding help.

4. Housing, Bedding, & Infrastructure

Even one goat needs proper housing and secure fencing.

• Shelter: A small barn or shed (costs vary widely).

• Fencing: Goats are escape artists! Strong woven wire or livestock panels can run $2–6 per foot installed.

• Bedding: Straw or shavings at $10–20/month/goat.

5. Breeding Costs

To get milk, your doeling must kid. That means:

• Stud Fees: $50–150, unless you own your own buck (which adds additional housing and feed costs). Please remember bucks and does may NOT share a fence line! Breeding WILL happen. Ask me how I know!

• Gestation Nutrition: Higher-quality feed and minerals for the pregnant doe.

• Kidding Supplies: Towels, iodine, kidding kit — usually $50–100 stocked.

6. The Timeline to Milk

• Breeding Age: 10–12 months (once the doe hits >80 lbs is a common rule of thumb).

• Gestation: ~5 months. Usually 148-158 days.

• Milking Age: Usually 15–18 months old before she produces her first bucket of milk.

7. The Bottom Line

By the time your doeling freshens, you can expect to have spent $400–850+ in direct costs per goat (not counting fencing, shelters, or your own labor). Adding labor costs easily doubles or triples the total cost!

Actual costs vary depending on feed prices, supplements, and veterinary needs, but this gives a realistic picture of what it takes to raise a healthy, productive dairy goat.

✨ Why It’s Worth It

The cost isn’t just financial—it’s about the reward of a clean, tested, and well-raised herd.

From that first frothy pail of milk to the handcrafted soaps and cheeses you can make, your investment pays back in health, food security, and the everyday joy of farm life.

And as breeding season begins again, I’m reminded why I choose to raise many of my goats from birth. The ones born here carry a quiet sense of belonging — calmer, more connected, and tied to this farm in a way that can’t be bought. It’s in that bond, built over months of care, that the real value lies.

So yes, it takes time, money, and patience. But when I see a doe I raised from a just-born kid finally step onto the milk stand, I know every dollar and every moment was worth it.