| NIGERIAN DWARF INFORMATION |
| The Nigerian Dwarf goat is a miniature dairy goat breed of West African ancestry. Originally brought to the United States on ships as food for large cats such as lions, the survivors originally lived in zoos. Nigerian Dwarf goats are popular as hobby goats due to their easy maintenance and small stature. They come in many colors: white, black, red, cream and patterns such as buckskin (brown with a black cape over the head and neck along with other black markings) and chamoisee (similar to an Oberhasli goat) with or without white spots. Some have white "frosting" on the ears. Both the Nigerian Dwarf Goat Association and the American Goat Society websites feature pages that include color descriptions, disqualifying features and conformation. Although most are naturally horned, most breeders dehorn them at a young age (usually less than 2 weeks of age) for safety to the goat, his/her herd-mates, and human care-givers. Some Nigerian Dwarfs have blue eyes, which is a dominant trait in goats Nigerian Dwarf kids are usually very active. Within a short time after birth they are able to stand, walk and nurse. After a day or two they are usually trying to bounce and jump. Nigerian kids love to climb, run and skip. Some breeders provide their goat kids with rocks or wooden "play equipment". Siblings and groups of kids often race, butt or play "king of the mountain." When tired from play, the young kid will often find a quiet, hidden place and sleep until its dam bleats for it to nurse. An orphan kid may need to be bottle fed; usually lamb feeding bottles are used with goats' milk or goats' milk replacer. Calf milk replacer may cause kids to have diarrhea. When Nigerian Dwarf kids are still very young they like to taste things so you may see them eating things and spitting them out. Nigerian Dwarfs give a surprising quantity of milk for their size, ranging from 2-6 pounds (0.9-2.7 kg) per day, with an average of 2.5. Since Nigerians breed year-round, it is easy to stagger freshenings (births) in a herd so that the entire herd is never dry. They are thus ideal milk goats for most families. Their milk has a higher butterfat content than milk from full-sized dairy goats, making Nigerian Dwarf goat milk excellent for cheese and soap making. Nigerian Dwarfs goats are gentle and easily trainable. This, along with their small size and colorful appearance, makes them popular as pets. Many breeders sell bottle-fed babies (kids) that are bonded with humans and easy to manage. Nigerian dwarf goats can easily be trained to walk on a leash and some enjoy coming into the house with their owners. Nigerian dwarf goats' small size also makes them excellent "visitor" animals for nursing homes and hospitals. Some goat supply houses even sell small harnesses and tiny wagons that fit Nigerian dwarf goats. As with all goats, does or neutered males (wethers) make the best pets, as bucks can have an objectionable odor. Nigerian Dwarfs, especially does and wethers, are friendly and do well with children. From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia |
| NUBIAN INFORMATION |
| The Anglo-Nubian breed originated in England as a cross between the Old English Milch Goat and the Zariby and Nubian bucks imported from India, Russia, and Egypt. They have been exported to most countries from England and in the United States are referred to as simply Nubians. The typical Nubian is large in size and carries more flesh than other dairy breeds. The Nubian breed standard specifies large size, markings can be any color, the ears are long, pendulous, and the nose is Roman. The Nubian temperament is sociable, outgoing, and vocal. Because of its elongated ears and sleek body, the Nubian is occasionally nicknamed the "Lop-Eared Goat" or "Greyhound Goat".[2] the Nubian goat should be a relatively large, proud, and graceful dairy goat of mixed Asian, African, and European origin, known for high quality, high butterfat, milk production. The head is the distinctive breed characteristic, with the facial profile between the eyes and the muzzle being strongly convex (Roman nose). The ears are long (extending at least one inch [2.54 cm] beyond the muzzle when held flat along the face), wide and pendulous. They lie close to the head at the temple and flare slightly out and well forward at the rounded tip, forming a "bell" shape. The ears are not thick, with the cartilage well defined. The hair is short, fine and glossy. Any color or colors, solid or patterned, is acceptable. The Nubian's size makes it a very useful dual purpose animal. The Nubian breed leads the way for the dairy breeds in butterfat production: it produces on average, 5% or more butterfat content. This is surpassed only by the Nigerian Dwarf , Pygmy goat and Boer goat breeds, which are less likely to be used for large scale milk production, as for a dairy or cheese Nubians are remarkable in temperate zones of agriculture in actually with open faced shelters being able to deal with temperatures of 30 below zero. They readily attach to their new human owners with simple neck and side stroking. Nubians love human interaction and will call for the owner. While being stereotyped as being vocal. They are relatively quiet provided with food, water and shelter. Just like human infants if they are making noise, they are doing so to let their need be known. Nubians are also sometimes classified as stubborn, but Nubians are simply highly intelligent animals who know what they like and dislike. Once shown the correct way as in being let out of their pen to be milked, a Nubian will walk itself, load itself and wait to be milked. From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia |