We are focused on breeding our registered Nigerian Dwarf goats for strong dairy character, conformation and production. The love we have for our herd shows in our goats. Pygmies are also primarily “agouti” patterned, with black, silver, and caramel being the most common colors. You can never be sure what color the babies will be until they are born; even then you can’t be sure because many times their color may change. Does usually stand about 22 inches at the withers, and bucks, a little over 23 inches. The Nigerian Dwarf is a miniature goat of West African origin. They are a place to sell your goats or obtain superior stock for breeding. Goats are herd animals and as such must be with other goats. Dwarf shows are growing in popularity and are becoming more readily available all over the country. Pattern Description Examples White or tan wholly tan, red, or white, … SGCH Old Mountain Farm Swift-Leigh - The first Nigerian Dwarf Doe to receive a Linear Appraisal score of EEEE-93. Your time is Sincerely appreciated. Only set out tiny amounts of baking soda and minerals at a time, because goats will refuse to eat it once they consider it dirty. Ideal height for bucks is 19" to 21" with up to 23" allowed in the breed standard. The buckskin pattern is very common in Nigerians. I consent to Backyard Goats collecting and storing the data I submit in this form. They also publish a quarterly journal, called “Nigerian Goat News,” in addition to an annual membership directory and calendar for members. Get it as soon as Wed, Mar 10. One thing that I hadn’t accurately planned for when getting goats was the amount of bedding and manure that would need to be composted. The coat is soft with short to medium hair. ©D.P. Also keep in mind that any white markings can mask some or all of a pattern. But my perception is that Nigerian Dwarf goats are in the middle. The ears are upright. The nose is straight. (Swift-Leigh is the doe featured in our logo.) Hooves should be trimmed regularly, about every four to eight weeks or more often if needed. She told me she was pregnant, I’m not sure at all how can you tell if she is, Your email address will not be published. They are the smallest of the milking goats breeds. Sign up for the Backyard Orchards email course today! I cannot TELL you how much of that stuff I wasted by putting out too much at a time! and finally save money and grow delicious vegetables! Some experienced breeders may immunize their own goats; new owners and breeders should take their goats to the local vet for vaccines. Bucks are able to be used for service as young as three months of age and easily by the time they are 7 or 8 months old. The Nigerian Dwarf goat is a miniature goat of West African origin. I hope you’ll stick around for advice and inspiration on how to live more fully on less. There was an error submitting your subscription. The facial profile may be concave or straight; the ears are upright. We are working as a family to turn our cedar tree filled 10 acres into a productive, working farm, and learning to be good stewards of the land God has given us. Nigerian Dwarf goats should not be housed in airtight buildings; they need to have ventilation for optimum health. The Pygmy goat has a life expectancy of 12 – 16 years, while the Nigerian Dwarf goat lives an average lifespan between 15 and 18 years (with some living up to 20).. If you’re caring for a Nigerian Dwarf baby goat that has been orphaned you may have the best luck getting them to drink whole goat milk. Watch out for those little bucks! From tank tops to t-shirts to hoodies, we have amazing clothes for men, women, & children. Another common fence problem is that goats LOVE to rub against them. Dwarfs are generally good mothers able to take care of their babies should you leave them to do the raising of the kids. ADGA Nigerian Dwarf goat breed standards state that the Nigerian Dwarf doe should be between 17" and 22.5" at the withers (thats the top of the shoulders). I highly recommend you go read Holistic Goat Care by Gianaclis Caldwell! They may be looking around, or goats with horns scratch their back that way. Animals are disqualified from the show ring for being oversized for the breed standard and/or for other faults: having a curly coat, roman nose, pendulous ears, or evidence of myotonia (a breed characteristic of fainting goats). Many Nigerian Dwarf goats share pastures peacefully with other livestock such as cattle, horses, llamas, and donkeys. Common advise to new goat owners is to get yourself a goat mentor. The Nigerian Dwarf goat milk benefit is that it is higher in butterfat (6-10%) than most dairy goat breeds. It does however make great treats. Ideal weight is suggested to be about 75 lbs. We live in middle Tennessee, and anxiously want NDG’s for our homestead. The main color families are black, chocolate, and gold with virtually every color combination imaginable being produced. Dwarf goats are registered in 5 registries: four in the United States (NDGA, AGS, IDGR & ADGA) and one in Canada (CGS). I have searched online and not found any information on whether or not Nigerian Dwarf goats can sometimes have longer coats versus some that have shorter coats. Paperback $9.97 $ 9. Most owners wait until they are a year old, just to be safe. (Another tip, make shelves and surfaces slightly slanted so the pellets just roll right off)! However, there are some little tips and tricks that new goat owners don’t always think about. The saying goes that if a cat can get through your fence, so can your goat. The ears are upright. It is the only known recessive agouti pattern. Or go with whole goat or cow milk. And if you’ve had goats for a while, you’ll probably still finding something useful. Their adult height is about 17-19 inches for does and 19-21 inches for bucks. What weight would that be? A good rule of thumb is place all raised “toys” away from the fence at least two times the length of the goat. I was told they are a great age for breeding, then told they are to old. Because on this page you'll find a complete, current list of Nigerian Dwarf goat breeders in Kentucky. This pattern is very common in the Nigerian Dwarf breed. Supplies You’ll Need For Bottle Feeding Nigerian Dwarf Goats Probably the most fascinating goat coat pattern out there. The coat is fine and fairly short, and may be of any color, or multicolored; common colors are gold, chocolate and black, frequently with white markings. The nose is straight, although there may be a small break or stop at the level of the eyes. NDGA is funded through goat registrations and transfers, annual membership dues, and fundraising activities. In fact, they will often improve a pasture by removing brambles, undergrowth (including weeds), and ivy (even poison ivy) that other livestock won’t eat. I appreciate your information. The life expectancy for this breed is … Believed to be a dominant gene, but not fully understood. Shows or event information can be obtained through registries, local goat clubs, and organizations, including NDGA. Nigerian Dwarf goats are the only dwarf dairy goat breed. For the most part, Nigerian Dwarfs are a hearty breed with few kidding problems. We moved the bucks a few hundred yards away and out of site from the does. Worming should be done several times a year. The Nigerian Dwarf come in many colours: white, black, gold, 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. For one to just a few goats, many owners find that an oversized dog house or two does the job. The most common dystocia (labor problems) I’ve seen with Nigerian Dwarf goats is when the baby needs help coming out because it is stillborn or hasn’t turned, so I suggest knowing the exact breeding date so you can be ready on the due date. They can get rather loud for periods of time calling each other. First you whistle, then you use a spray bottle of water or hose. Properly feeding Nigerian Dwarf dairy goats is a major factor in successfully keeping them. The coat is soft with short to medium hair. Do Nigerian Dwarf goats have to be milked? Our goal is to produce quality dairy goats with excellent milk production that are friendly and healthy. If you're looking for Nigerian Dwarf goats for sale in Kentucky, you've come to the right place! We brought home our first 3 baby registered, Nigerian Dwarf dairy goats in 2017 and have been raising and breeding them; growing our herd ourselves. A Little Bit About Our Little Goats… We raise a small herd of ADGA registered Nigerian Dwarf goats in Hindsville, Arkansas. Speaking of manure, make sure your baking soda and mineral feeders are easy to clean, because, you know…  Goats can be super picky about only eating fresh things. We purchased our first registered goats in 2016 and have been growing and improving our herd ever since. Just be sure to keep them away from the fence to avoid giving herd escape artists means to roam your neighborhood! Then once you get started with them, and kind of get a groove going with their basic care and it’s not so bad at all. Most new goat owners know that collars can be a problem for goats. Everyone has an opinion on what you should feed your baby goats, so find something that works best for you. Ideal height for bucks is 19″ to 21″ with bucks up to 23″ allowed in the breed standard. Click on thumbnails for a closer look. So if you have any thoughts about that concerning the NDG breed I’d sure appreciate it! Many owners breed their does three times in two years, giving the doe at least a 6-month break. But sometimes for the person … But four years isn’t old at all, when it comes to breeding age. First off, did you know that you can train goats to respond to a whistle or other noise? We have 2 bucks, 2 does. Meet Our Nigerian Dwarfs. Subscribe for our newsletter and get the free email course Intro To Backyard Chickens as well as a free printable checklist to walk you through step by step! Buckskin. Nigerian Dwarf Goat coats are short, although not as short as that of Saanen goats. Obviously, just a solid black coat. A Nigerian dwarf goats lifespan varies but know that bringing a Nigerian dwarf goat to your property is a long-term commitment. Dwarfs can be dalmatian-spotted, pinto-patterned, tri-colored, or just classy shades of solid jet black, white, chocolate, or gold. Many breeders give less grain if good pasture and browse are available. Dwarf goats, like all other breeds, need some basic care for good health and long life. Apparently if the goat stops suddenly or turns their head, the collar can slip up and stop the blood flow to the arteries to the brain. The does usually top out at 40-60 lbs while the bucks typically average 55-75 lbs. Fresh water in clean containers should also be available at all times. Their adult height is about 17-19 inches for does and 19-21 inches for bucks. Make sure you wean does and bucks separately to help you avoid unintentional breeding. But they are also low-maintenance dairy goats, giving a surprising amount of high-quality, high-fat milk despite their small size. I would want a doeling to be 60 pounds or close to it before breeding. Coat Patterns Eye Colors Polled/Horned Genetics Wattles Breeders & Links Nigerian Dwarf Goat Color Breeding Chart. I have two Nigerian dwarf goats; a buck and a doe. kind of get a groove going with their basic care, Holistic Goat Care had a genius recommendation for large scale goat farms. The parts of the body are in balanced proportion. Pajamas (13" KID SMALL) for Nigerian Dwarf Goat Kid; Colorful selection of pajamas (sweater, coat) in Small Size (up to 13" spine) ByGrammaWallace 5 out of 5 stars (181) They make wonderful pets and great animal projects for young children in 4H or FFA. Holistic Goat Care is like a goat mentor you can have sitting on your bookshelf all day every day, just in case. Goats love to jump and climb, and it’s nice to provide “furniture” for them to do that on. Nigerian Dwarf goats are easy to handle; even small children can be at ease with these little goats. Photos courtesy of Livin My Dream Farm. Home - Dairy Goats - Nigerian Dwarf Goat Care Tips For The First Time Owner. Here is a story about recognizing dystocia: https://backyardgoats.iamcountryside.com/health/damsels-in-distress-recognize-goat-labor-problems/ and here is a great due date calculator: https://backyardgoats.iamcountryside.com/ownership/the-best-goat-gestation-calculator/ Good luck! For many people, the appeal of the Nigerian Dwarf goat is the combination of their milking … Any color or combination of colors is acceptable. The Nigerian Dwarf is small but well-proportioned; its conformation resembles that of larger dairy goats. Kind of like a Swiss Alpine goat in miniature with graceful proportions, upright ears, and a soft coat. The gestation period for a doe is 145 to 153 days. They are 10 months old.