As an avid Nubian goat person/breeder/lover, I am here to tell you I never thought I would see the day I would consider changing to another breed of goat, let alone a dwarf breed.
I have had my experience with pygmy goats and that is enough said about that.
Although Nigerian Dwarf goats and Pygmy goats share similar origins, they are each a separate and distinct breed. Nigerian Dwarfs are dairy goats and are bred to have length of body and fineness of structure in proportion to true dairy character.
They have a gentle and loveable temperament of which I have never seen the like. Even the breeding bucks are easily handled. Their size and gentle natures makes for perfect pets and 4H projects as they are easily handled by young children (and middle aged women who like to carry goats around).
These goats provide a surprising amount of milk for their size and although the Nubians have the highest butterfat levels of the standard-sized goat breeds, the Nigerian Dwarf goats possess the highest butterfat levels of all the goat breeds. According to the 2009 data from the American Dairy Goat Association, Nubian goat milk has approximately 4.8 percent butterfat, while Nigerian Dwarf goat milk averages 6.4 percent butterfat. This milk will be wonderful for our soap and lotion products!
Other things I like about Nigerian Dwarf goats is the wide range of color and the fact that the newborns weigh around 2 lbs. and are just the cutest!!
We are patiently waiting for this big mama to deliver.
How about you? Are you considering adding goats to your homestead?
Goats are sensitive and intelligent animals. They can be trained, but they do require proper care and nutrition. They are dramatic and vocal, don’t mind tromping on your toes or using you for a springboard if you happen to be kneeling down. In my experience, if the goat has food and protection it will not spend its day trying to escape fencing. They can provide milk, fertilizer, companionship and hours of entertainment (for the easily entertained). Some breeds are good lawnmowers and weed eaters, but not all, so look into that ahead of time. Above all, be sure to get more than one goat. They really can’t handle being alone. If you have a buck that will be separated from the does for part of the year, but sure to get a companion wether (castrated male). There are many goat breeders who would happily provide you with a wether for little to nothing in price.
I love to talk goats, so talk to me : )
14 comments:
I really want goats and haven’t decided what kind to get. This breed sounds like what I am looking for due to their disposition. I want friendly and easy to handle. They are so cute!!
I just wanted to stop by and say thanks for coming by my blog! Its fun to hear and "meet" new bloggers! I started with Nigerians and added LaManchas. I enjoy both breeds equally though LaManchas are much more inquisitive & get themselves in more trouble than the Nigerians. I had my first "mini Manchas" this year, not by choice, the doe took matters into her own hands. I am loving the personalities of this cross! Now I just need to work in the time to start milking & making some soaps and lotions! Can't wait to see your babies!
I have Nigerians and love them! We have wethers only, they are strickly pets and are the best! I do have 2 Pygmy mixes and they are very sweet, but I have heard that FB Pygmy does can be a handfull. Goats are not stupid like many assume. My boys mind me as well as my pups......Love them and will goat talk with you anytime! Check out www.thegoatspot.com we would love to have you! I am cdtrum on the forum.....some great info!
Goats would be nice and I do love goats. I just think where I live it would be just to hot in the summer for them. It is still a dream though.
I really enjoyed readin your post. I have wanted acouple milkin goats for acouple years now. I dont want to jump into it, gotta learn about them first. But I think I would love to have Nigerian Dwarf Goats... maybe one of these days :)
I love goats! I have Saanen and Boer and some mixed breeds. I just started making soap, and now you have me thinking I need even more (different) goats!
How cute! Thanks for sharing that about them: didn't know that. Now I want some for our kids! :)
That video made me laugh: that poor huge mother! It reminded me of what I felt like when I was pregnant! :)
Hello we used to raise Nubian and Angora I think these kind would have been nice to have. I love goats. B
Hello Michael!
I've just popped on over from Amy's at Verde Farm and I'm so glad I did. I've been thinking of getting goats for a while now but haven't been sure of what to get. After reading your post and one from another blog recently I'm thinking Nigerian Dwarfs are what we need here on the farm. I will be coming back to read earlier posts and probably will be asking you lots of questions! I hope you have a wonderful day and enjoy your weekend.
Maura :)
Hopping here from Verde Farms.....we have Nigerians too. So glad to see that yours are chubby as well!!
Have a wonderful weekend!
I just watched your video and I can't believe how large she is! This is the first year that my goats are expecting and they are nowhere near as large as yours. Good luck!
i love this post. i know nothing about goats and i am so glad amy thought of farm friend friday so we all can learn from eachother. good info, thanks for sharing!!!
The goat in the video is carrying quads - according to her owner. This isn't our goat, we are just patiently waiting for her babies. We will be getting bottle babies from the breeder of this goat.
Thanks for all of the great comments!
i laughed about what you said re: switching to a mini breed... hee hee hee i was really pleased with how much our mini-mancha milks.
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