Goat milk should not have a bad taste to it. If your milker is producing strange-tasting, or salty milk, there are several possible culprits.
Mastitis: Salty milk can be a warning sign that an infection has settled in. If your doe has salty milk, I would suggest testing her for mastitis. Watch her for any redness or swelling carefully. Some forms of mastitis are not a danger to the doe, but others can be deadly. We use the CMT mastitis test. This test is for cows, so keep in mind that a little gelling (a number 1 result) can be normal in goats. When in doubt, start dosing the doe with vitamin C and garlic, and offer her some of her own milk. Often times this can nip a developing infection before it turns serious.
If a doe's udder begins to drastically change color and grow cold, it may be gangrenous mastitis. This is not to be confused with darker pigmentation, as some does can develop almost purple skin on their udder. Gangrene is dying tissue, and presents as swelling and a section of different-colored skin than the surrounding udder. Call a vet immediately, the infected portions of the udder may need to be surgically removed to save the doe.
Colostrum: Colostrum is present in a new mother's milk for up to two weeks, and it can make the milk taste a little strange.
Drying up: The drying up process may make milk taste salty. If you haven't milked for a few days and there is no sign of mastitis, it could be your doe's milk is just changing as she dries up.
Mastitis: Salty milk can be a warning sign that an infection has settled in. If your doe has salty milk, I would suggest testing her for mastitis. Watch her for any redness or swelling carefully. Some forms of mastitis are not a danger to the doe, but others can be deadly. We use the CMT mastitis test. This test is for cows, so keep in mind that a little gelling (a number 1 result) can be normal in goats. When in doubt, start dosing the doe with vitamin C and garlic, and offer her some of her own milk. Often times this can nip a developing infection before it turns serious.
If a doe's udder begins to drastically change color and grow cold, it may be gangrenous mastitis. This is not to be confused with darker pigmentation, as some does can develop almost purple skin on their udder. Gangrene is dying tissue, and presents as swelling and a section of different-colored skin than the surrounding udder. Call a vet immediately, the infected portions of the udder may need to be surgically removed to save the doe.
Colostrum: Colostrum is present in a new mother's milk for up to two weeks, and it can make the milk taste a little strange.
Drying up: The drying up process may make milk taste salty. If you haven't milked for a few days and there is no sign of mastitis, it could be your doe's milk is just changing as she dries up.
Copper deficiency: Does who are deficient in copper may have strange tasting milk. It may be salty or bitter. Copper deficient does may also produce less milk that normal.
Breed: If your milker is a breed bred for cheese production, namely the Toggenburg or Oberhasli, you may notice strong tasting milk. Some breeders have found that if they bump their milker's vitamins and minerals, this taste will vanish. Others enjoy the flavor.
Age: Fresh goat milk is good goat milk. As the milk ages, it gets a stronger taste. When you finish milking, immediately cool the milk.
Pasteurization: Pasteurization can change the taste of goat milk, but most cannot really tell the difference in taste.
Breed: If your milker is a breed bred for cheese production, namely the Toggenburg or Oberhasli, you may notice strong tasting milk. Some breeders have found that if they bump their milker's vitamins and minerals, this taste will vanish. Others enjoy the flavor.
Age: Fresh goat milk is good goat milk. As the milk ages, it gets a stronger taste. When you finish milking, immediately cool the milk.
Pasteurization: Pasteurization can change the taste of goat milk, but most cannot really tell the difference in taste.