Nigerian Dwarf Goats make great pets, and produce healthy, butter-fat and protein rich goat milk as an extra. Even if you do not want to raise a goat for milk, these little goats make great companions, and are a good animal for teaching children how to take care of animals. Nigerian Dwarf Goats are a popular choice for 4-H animal projects. These goats are playful, but gentle, and don’t take up too much space. Females are about 17-19 inches at the shoulder, and the males are about 19-21 inches.
Nigerian Dwarf Goat as a Dairy Goat
As a farm animal, Nigerian Dwarf Goats are easy to keep, and can make a nice addition to an existing farm. They are a good animal for beginning farmers. They get along well with other animals, and can be kept with larger goats or other livestock. The USDA says that while the manufacture of goats’ milk cheese is a small industry, it is growing. They also say that goats’ milk cheese is highly desired by consumers in the US. Nigerian Dwarf Goats produce a large amount of milk compared to how much food they require.
Feeding your Nigerian Dwarf Goat
The story that goats will eat anything is true, but that doesn’t mean you should let your dwarf goat eat anything he wants. What the Nigerian Dwarf Goat can safely eat that other animals won’t includes brambles, weeds, and poison ivy. Goats should be supplied with hay or pasture, in addition to goat feed. Goat feed supplies your goat with protein. If you choose to feed your Nigerian Dwarf Goat grain that is not specific to goats, check that it does not contain urea, which is toxic to goats.
Nigerian Dwarf Goats should be housed in a well-ventilated shed, and in fencing that takes into account their small stature. They need bedding that is cleaned daily. The goat’s bedding should always be clean and dry to keep the goat healthy. Be sure to carefully research fencing, and make sure you do not use materials that may be harmful to the goats.
Nigerian Dwarf Goat Health
Like any pet, you should find a good vet for your goat. An advanced goat owner may be able to take over some of their goat’s health care, but for a beginning owner, a vet is necessary. Your goat’s hooves will have to be trimmed every month or two, and the goat will need to be wormed. Your vet should be able to help you learn more about the health of your goat.
Breeding Nigerian Dwarf Goats
You can breed your goat, but this is not an activity for the casual owner. Breeding goats requires a responsible owner, who is knowledgeable in animal husbandry. The two goats to be bred should come from good stock lines, so as not to perpetuate bad genes in the baby goats.
