Farmer in the dell
Farmer in the dell
Hi-ho, the dairy-O
The farmer in the dell
This is the song we used to sing on the school field trip to the zoo nearly every year. One of the highlights of that trip was the children’s section of the zoo, specifically the petting zoo and the baby goats. We got to feed them with baby bottles. Being a suburban girl, we didn’t see many goats in my subdivision (as in none), and I loved this experience.
As an adult, I’ve slowly grown away from my suburban ways, and am turning into a country girl. Yes, that country life is soon to include Dwarf Nigerian Goats. What backyard farm would be complete without them. My meager suburban beginnings, however, left much be desired in goat education, so I had some learning to do; and I’m still learning.
Dwarf Nigerian Goats 101
For example, did you know, that: fully-grown Dwarf Nigerian Goats range from 16-21 inches (40-56 cm) tall at the withers for does and 23.5 inches tall at the withers for bucks, and weigh 60-80 pounds (27-36 kg).
Although most are naturally horned, most breeders dehorn them at a young age (usually 2 weeks of age) for safety to the goat, his/her herd-mates, and human care-givers. Some Dwarf Nigerian Goats have blue eyes, which is a dominant trait in goats.
I had benefit of some first-hand goat experience when my daughter Emily was an infant; as Emily was allergic to all infant formula, we ended up putting her on fresh goat’s milk. Nancy, “The Goat Lady”, (my source for goat’s milk) taught me much of what I know about goats.
Kidding & Kid Care
Dwarf Nigeriaian Goats can breed year-round, which is unlike other goats, with the exception of Pygmy Goats. Dwarf Nigerian Goats kid after about 155 days and does usually have twins, but triplets or quadruplets are commong. (I’m glad I’m not a Dwarf Nigerian Goat!)
There is a condition that is of great concern among goat breeds: Caprine Arthritis Encephalitis (CAE). Breeders participating in CAE prevention programs who do not test for CAE cannot allow the doe to lick the kids or the kids to nurse for fear of the kids contracting CAE. For information: CAE and CAE.
Dairy Goats
With today’s economy and soaring food prices, people are seeking of ways to help ease the family budget. Many are going back to old ways of producing their own food, but not everyone has several acres of land to do so. Dwarf Nigerian Goats are perfect for that backyard barnyard milk-producing caprine companion. And yes, I said companion, because goats are actually very sociable animals and can be leashed trained, taught basic commands and will follow you around much like dogs! They love people and are good around children, when properly socialized from a young age.
Dwarf Nigerian Goats give a surprising amount of milk for their size, ranging from 2-6 pounds (0.9-2.7 kg) per day, with an average of 4 or about 1/2 gallon per day. With their year-round breeding, it is easy to space freshenings (births) so that milk will always be available. They are thus ideal milk goats for most families. Their milk has a higher butterfat content than milk from full-sized dairy goats, making Dwarf Nigerian Goats goat milk excellent for cheese and soap making. I happen to have been making cold-processed soap for our family for the past eight years, but have not had a steady supply of fresh goat’s milk, and have often used powedered, I look forward to fresh goat’s milk soap.
If your family loves milk like ours does, and is looking to save some money by producing your own milk with dairy goats, then Dwarf Nigerian Goats are the dairy goats for you. “Family-sized production in a pint-sized package.”
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