General Toggenburg Information
About Our Buck and 1 Doe- page 1
About Our Other Does- page 2
Other Does and Pregnant Does- page 3

Toggenburg Kids for Sale
Goat kids available now. Doelings $300, Bucklings $250.

ABOUT TOGGENBURG MILK GOATS

The Toggenburg Dairy Goat

There are 6 recognized breeds of dairy goats in the United States: Toggenburg, Alpine, Saanen, LaMancha, Nubian and Oberhasli.

Toggenburg milk goats are from the Toggenburg Valley of Switzerland at Obertoggenburg. They are the oldest known dairy goat breed with a herd book started in Switzerland in the 1600s.

A popular breed, they have been exported throughout the world and arrived in the United States in 1893. Toggs, as they are nicknamed, perform best in cooler climates especially in mountainous areas.

Breed Characteristics

Toggenburg's are medium size, sturdy, robust, vigorous, spirited, alert and friendly. Slightly smaller than other Alpine breeds such as the Saanen, does weigh at least 120 pounds and bucks weigh at least 160 pounds. Does are 26 inches at the withers and bucks are 28 inches.

The fur of the Toggenburg is silky. It can be any length with the males usually having longer fur than the females. They have a shaggier coat than most other dairy goats. The ears are erect and carried forward. Facial lines may be dished or straight, never roman. They may be horned or polled (no horns). They are well proportioned with strong backline straight to the hips.
 

Breed Coloring and Wattles

The Toggenburg's color is typically Swiss with solid varying from light fawn to dark chocolate with no preference for any shade.

They have distinct white markings: white ears with a dark spot in middle; two white stripes down the face from above each eye to the muzzle; hind legs white from hocks to hooves; forelegs white from knees downward with a dark line below the knee acceptable; a white triangle on either side of the tail.

Accepted coloring varies slightly in different countries.

Some goats have wattles. Wattles are hair-covered pieces of skin hanging from the throat on both sides. Goats with and without wattles are accepted in shows.

Breeding and Milk

Toggenburg goats breed in the fall. The gestation period is 145 to 153 days (about 5 months). Togs have few problems when giving birth.

Bucklings can be fertile at as young as 7 weeks of age. Bucks are able to be used for service as young as 3 months and are definitely ready by 7 or 8 months.

Does can be bred at 7-8 months of age if they have reached a mature size. Some breeders wait until they are 1 year or older. Usually only one kid is born for a first time mother. But after that does usually have several kids at a time even four. Toggenburgs are excellent mothers.

Does have excellent udder development and good milk production with an average fat level of 3.5 percent and 2.8% protein. The average milk from a doe is 1968-2303 pounds a year which averages to 5.4-6.3 pounds a day if milked for 365 days. Milk weighs 8.6 pounds per gallon. So that's .68 gallons (a little less than 3 quarts) a day on average.

The average lactation (milk production) period for a Toggenburg goat is 257 days (8 1/2 months). Toggenburg does yield more milk if they are allowed to free range.

From 1968 to 1978 the records of the Dairy Herd Improvement program (DHI) showed similar milk production for Saanen, Alpine and Toggenburg goats. Nubian and LaMancha had lower milk yields. Average fat percentages in Toggenburg, Alpine and Saanen goat milk were the same. Nubian goats had the highest fat percentage.
 

Caring for Goats

Goats should be housed in clean pens with no dampness, drafts and pests like flies or rodents. They need fencing to keep them in and to keep away predators. Their housing needs to have ventilation for good health.

For only a few goats some owners use a large dog house or two. Housing should be clean with fresh hay or straw for bedding. Tree stumps, large rocks or cable spools are good toys for goats.

Hooves should be trimmed about every 4-8 weeks. A properly trimmed hoof should look like a kid goat's foot. Vaccinations for tetanus and types C&D centermost are the most common ones given. Check with your local vet. Worming is done several times a year. Your vet can suggest special supplements (selenium), other immunizations, type of wormer and worming schedule for your herd based on your area.

Most goat owners feed a 12% - 18% protein goat feed or dairy ration. It must not contain urea as this is toxic to goats. Give less grain if good pasture and browse are available. Plenty of hay or pasture should always be provided. Fresh water in clean containers should always be available.
 

Nationwide Average Cost

Average cost for breeding stock is between $250 and $500. Champion pedigrees, milk production recorded animals, and unusual coloring at higher prices. Pet quality stock costs less with wethers (neutered males).
 

Recommended Goat Book

We recommend buying the book "Natural Goat Care" by Pat Coleby.