![]() Though not scientifically proven, it’s a factor to consider, especially since it’s been reported anecdotally too often to disregard. Many caprine breeders believe the year-round presence of a buck may impact the taste of a doe’s milk, even if they’re separated. The strong, musky odor of bucks - especially during mating season - is well known. Certain seasonal plants can adversely impact the milk flavor. Milk may also have seasonal differences (spring/summer/fall) depending on what forage is available. If your animal’s milk suddenly takes on a less-than-ideal quality, it’s time to scour the pasture and see what’s blooming (ragweed and wormwood seem to be infamous culprits). If your goat has a controlled diet, try some experimentation by increasing or decreasing various components to see if it’s possible to identify what’s affecting the taste of the milk. The taste of a goat’s milk can be directly related to what she eats. Other factors that may make milk taste salty include copper deficiency and the drying-up process (when milk sometimes changes as the doe goes dry). A vaccine for mastitis caused by Staphylococcus aureus is now available for goats. If the doe has no kids on her, make sure you milk the doe dry at least twice a day, if not more. Mastitis most often happens with a lactating doe who does not have kids on her since frequent milking (nursing) is the most effective way to nip early mastitis in the bud. Mastitis is not something you can ignore, hoping it will go away. ![]() If the udder is red, warm, hard, or abnormally swollen, or if you see ropey “squiggles” in the milk, these are signs of an infection in the mammary tissue. If your goat’s milk suddenly tastes salty, you may be witnessing the early stages of mastitis. Other conditions that can affect milk taste include stress, temperature extremes (very hot or very cold weather), poor diet, parasite load, medication, and poor sanitation. Keeping a goat’s living quarters as clean and sanitary as possible will positively affect her health and the taste and quality of her milk. Poor sanitation and trauma to the udder are more common in crowded conditions. In home dairies, it’s easier to recognize and promptly treat mastitis or other infections, making the issue temporary. Mastitis (infection in the udder) or other low-grade infections can cause a chemical change in the milk. If your goat’s milk tastes too strong, the first thing to consider is the animal’s health.Ĭommercial dairies have a harder time handling health issues for individual animals. Here are some tips to make goat milk taste better. Many people insist their goat milk should taste like cow milk, and that’s all there is to it. It’s important to remember that goat milk isn’t cow milk, and we celebrate its differences. That said, there are times the goaty flavor is overwhelming.
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