While goats are primarily bred for meat, they are also known for their milk production. Lactation is a natural physiological process in female goats, whether or not they have been bred.
Here's why:
* Hormonal Cycles: Female goats go through estrous cycles, which means they experience periods of heat or ovulation. Even if they haven't been bred, their bodies still produce hormones like prolactin, which stimulates milk production.
* Milk Production: After giving birth, a doe's milk production is stimulated by suckling from her kids. However, even without kids, a doe's udder can fill with milk due to hormonal fluctuations.
Important Note:
* Milk quality: The milk from unbred goats may not be as abundant or as rich in nutrients as that from a lactating doe who has recently given birth.
* Milk use: While the milk is safe to consume, it may not be ideal for human consumption in large quantities due to the potential for lower fat content.
Overall, unbred meat goats can produce milk, but it's not as common or as plentiful as milk from a bred and lactating doe.