Goat Milk Problems

Naturally homogenized, goat milk is often touted as superior to cow's milk, but it does not come without potential problems. Problems you might encounter with goat milk typically occur as a result of how the milk is produced, how it is handled or how it is used.

  1. Goat's Diet

    • Often goat milk will develop an off taste as a result of something your goat ate. Problem foods that might cause a bad taste in your goat milk include onion grass and garlic.

    Bucks

    • Housing your buck goat (male) in with your milking does (females) frequently causes fresh goat milk to develop a distinctive sour taste. During breeding season, bucks develop a sour odor in order to attract the does, and this scent can easily get into the milk.

    Handling

    • You might experience goat milk problems if you use incorrect handling and sanitation procedures. Failure to chill your fresh goat milk immediately or storing your goat milk in plastic containers can cause your goat milk to go bad more quickly or develop an unpleasant flavor.

    Mastitis

    • A potentially serious goat milk problem occurs when your goat develops mastitis, or inflammation of her udder, which, left untreated, could cause your goat to lose her ability to give milk. FiascoFarm.Com states that signs of mastitis include a hot, swollen udder, clumps or blood in the milk and a decrease in milk production (see Reference 1).

    Infant Use

    • You might experience problems if you attempt to use goat milk in place of breast milk or formula for your infant. According to KellyMom.Com, babies younger than 1 could experience gastrointestinal bleeding, anemia and poor growth as a result of being fed goat's milk regularly (see Reference 2).