Before I really knew the term “homesteading,” and before I knew that I’d be working on 12 beautiful acres in the Ozarks, I knew one thing: I wanted goats. And when I finally did move to those Ozark hills, it wasn’t long before two beautiful little Nigerian Dwarf goats were housed in our barn.
Deciding to bring bigger livestock onto your homestead — even if they are dwarf size, is a huge game changer to the rural life. For the beginning goatherd, Nigerian Dwarf goats are a fantastic starter breed to cut your teeth on what it takes to manage a herd.
And though they are pint-sized caprines, they offer so much to the homestead in the form of companionship, milk, meat, manure, and even an opportunity for a bit of a side income.
If the goat-bug has bitten you like it bit me, but you’re not sure where to start, Nigerian Dwarf goats may be the breed for you! Read on to see what it takes to care for and enjoy these sprightly and personable little creatures.
What Are Nigerian Dwarf Goats?
As you may deduce from the name, the ancestors of Nigerian Dwarf goatsoriginally came from West Africa. They were brought to the United States on ships that were transporting big carnivores to zoos — as live food for the captured animals!
Thankfully, some of the poor goats made it to the U.S. whole and ended up being a side exhibit of their own at the various zoos. When some individuals started exhibiting desirable milking characteristics, several goat breeders seized the opportunity to create a new breed, and the Nigerian Dwarf was developed.
它们可能在身材和起源上与非洲侏儒山羊相似,但它们的比例完全不同。侏儒看起来有点像可爱的胖胖的短腿桶,而尼日利亚侏儒山羊更像一个典型的奶类品种。有点像迷你版的瑞士阿尔卑斯山羊,有着优雅的比例,直立的耳朵和柔软的皮毛。
Does usually stand about 22 inches at the withers, and bucks, a little over 23 inches. A good weight for a typical goat is around 75 pounds, meaningthey’ll still be manageable at full size. For a new goat keeper, this may be far less intimidating than something like a 230-poundBoer doe!
Nigerian Dwarf Goats on the Homestead
We chose Nigerian Dwarf goats for our homestead for several reasons. As beginners to goats — and homesteading in general — we thought the compact size of the breed would be easier for us newbies to handle.
We visited a Nigerian Dwarf farm之前的举动让我们对动物有了一种感觉,他们和蔼可亲的性格,可控的大小,以及富含乳脂的牛奶的承诺,帮助我们实现自我可持续发展。看看所有尼日利亚侏儒山羊的优点,看看你是否能抵制把它们添加到你自己的家园生活中!
Companionship
Nigerian Dwarf goats are personable and friendly, and the sight of them kicking up their heels in a lush pasture is the stuff of rural daydreams. They’re such easy keepers, temperament-wise, that they are often recommended for 4-H projects or FFA clubs. You can expect more than a decade of companionship since a healthy, well-cared-for goatshould live around 12 to 14 years.
Milk
One of the big appeals of this breed is the high butterfat content of their milk. In contrast to the 2% to 6% content of other breeds, these generous little does produceinsanely creamy milk with a 6% to 10% butterfat content.
Though they may be small in stature, a doe can produce more than a quart of milk a day! Of course, it depends on how much milk you allow her kids to take and how often you milk, but they may be a manageable option for a family that doesn’t want to be overwhelmed by multiple gallons of milk a day.
Related Post:How to Make Goat Cheese
最后,这些肥沃的小动物可以全年繁殖,这意味着你可以错开你的山羊开玩笑的时间表,以确保你全年都有可靠的甜奶供应。
Meat
Butchering your goats for meat may not be your primary objective in owning Nigerian Dwarf goats, but if you find that after a few kidding seasons, you have too many males or unproductive females, supplying a safe source of your own meat is another benefit these animals offer the homestead. You could get no more local, grass-fed, or sustainably-raised meat than your own animals!
Manure
山羊粪便是花园花圃的极好的补充物。Check out this linkfor more information on how to use those easily-spreadable pellets. Don’t let it go to waste, and your future harvests will reward you richly.
Supplemental Income
These gentle animals also make fantastic pets. You may be able to rustle up a little side income for the homestead by selling some wethers or some of your extra kids.
Related Post:How to Rent Out Your Goats
Since Nigerian Dwarf goats are prolific — often having three or even five kids at a time — this may be a viable option indeed!
How to Get Started With Nigerian Dwarf Goats
Getting your first Nigerian Dwarf goats should never be an impulse buy. Careful preparation and thoughtful infrastructure will ensure that both you and your new goats will have a smooth transition and a happy, healthy life together.
First off, you should always plan on having more than one goat. As social, herd animals, goats languish when alone … and will be extremely vocal about their lonely displeasure. Two does are a good start.
Goat Housing
Whether your goats are given the four-hooved version of the Taj Mahal or more rustic housing, there are certain things that should always be in place.
首先,所有的山羊都需要一个远离天气的地方。与绵羊不同的是,山羊不喜欢在风和雨中,如果不加保护的话,它们会很痛苦。如果你在你的土地上有一个谷仓,在它旁边建一个围场是很有意义的,让山羊根据需要进出。
In the winter, adult Nigerian Dwarf goats grow athick, fuzzy coat that can protect them sufficiently from the coldas long as they’re not buffeted by strong winds. Does and their newborns, however, may require a little extra attention if you decide to breed your goats in the coldest winter months.
Related Post:Raising Goats
Some keepers choose to heat their barns with lamps even though there could be a fire risk, while others provide warm water throughout the day to warm their herd. Another option could be to time the breeding of your does so that they only kid during the warmer months which allows them to avoid kidding through the worst of the winter.
Taking Care of Kids
Whenever your does do kid, by the way, it’s important to protect the babies during their tender infancy. For the first few days or week, keep Mama and baby in clean, dry straw in the barn while they bond, and the newborn gets its super crucial colostrum.
Then allow them to go outside at will, as long as the weather is dry and warm. Some goat keepers recommend allowing kids to go outside only if the weather is above 50 degrees Fahrenheit while others trust the does’ good instinct of when to lead her babies outside.
Fencing
Another element thatmust be considered is fencing. Goats (even goats as small as these) need plenty of room to roam, graze, and play, and all goats, no matter what the breed, are escape artists to some degree. There are many options for fencing, all with their pros and cons.
- Welded wireis cheap, but goats rubbing off their winter fur for the spring — or bucks with the scent of does in their nose — may push the wires apart and escape.
- Woven wireis expensive but seems to work really well in many instances with goats. Though it’s even more expensive, get the smallest squares you can — perhaps 4-by-4 inches or smaller. Nigerian Dwarf goats are smaller than regular goats and will require a little bit “denser” fencing to ensure their safety. In addition, kids can easily squeeze through bigger squares and goats with horns are notorious for getting their heads stuck; a fatal mistake if you don’t find them in time.
- Electric wireis also an option, but you may find that some goats respect the wire … and others don’t.
- The best option may end up beinga combination,无论你是用编织线加固木栅栏,还是用电线加强现有的栅栏。
Predator Protection
第三个必须考虑的因素是保护捕食者。我们太了解在我们的家园被一只野狗杀死的痛苦了,所以我们有了一只守护动物来确保我们不会再遭受这样的损失。山羊可能有角,但它们不是流浪狗、郊狼或山猫的对手。
A dedicated guardian such as a specifically-bred livestock guardian dog, donkey, or llama, will not only give your goats some companionship but can ensure that any hungry predator will be sent running with an empty stomach.
照顾尼日利亚侏儒山羊
照顾尼日利亚侏儒山羊可以很容易地成为你日常生活的一部分,但这将需要一段时间来适应在开始。和饲养任何牲畜一样,它们每天都需要时间!冲动的公路旅行或一周假期的日子一去不复返了,除非你有一个你信任的人在你不在的时候照顾你的动物。2022欧洲杯葡萄牙vs德国
在我们的家园,我们不认为这是一种损害。我们想要这样的生活。然而,如果你是饲养动物的新手,你可能需要给自己一些时2022欧洲杯葡萄牙vs德国间来适应每天多次被需要。
Of course, goats need to be fed and watered daily. Health in animals starts with good food and clean water. I wrote an in-depth article on the many options there are when it comes to feeding goats —check it out here!
Related Post:My Goat Is Pregnant, Now What?
你也应该每天至少给你的山羊好好检查一次:检查它们的皮毛是否有寄生虫,看看它们的蹄子是否需要修剪,给它们一些宠物(因为它们喜欢它们,它们很可爱)。这不仅会提醒你任何不寻常的事情,还会让山羊习惯你处理它们,这在挤奶时是必要的。挤奶也是一项日常工作——经常是一天两次!
Don’t be intimidated by the apparent workload, however. If you are determined to keep goats and are willing to learn from experience and from seasoned homesteaders around you, the rewards of sharing life with these animals far outweighs any initial growing pains.
The joy of their greeting bleats when you open the barn in the morning, the hilarity of watching newborn kids jump off stumps and rocks with nary a care, and the satisfaction of getting your own milk from your own animals, are some of the richest rewards in return for your efforts.
Do any of you have your own Nigerian Dwarf goats? What are your top tips for raising these fantastic animals? Let me know in the comments below!
Brookssays
We also live in the Ozarks. We are both retired. Just bought our first two does. I have been busy building barns and fences last several months. Two more spellings are coming in a October when weened. Looking for a buck now. Lots to learn, but the adventure has begun.
Krissysays
Just preparing to bring our first 2 home. Im interested to know what guardian animals you all have.
Kathy Rindysays
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I am writing this as we are traveling back to Wisconsin after a wonderful trip to the Ozark mountains to ride motorcycle. What a beautiful place for you to call home! I have 3 darling Dwarf Nigerians. They are all wethers and are my sweet pets. The grandkids love them. I had local Amish build a wonderful little barn for them. We fenced in 50’ x 100’ area of the woods behind our rural home. The goats have eaten all of the weeds and underbrush. I am now wondering what I could see that pasture with. I’m not sure what would grow good in the shade and what they would enjoy eating. Any help you can give me would be so much appreciated.