However, grains are a different story. People are increasingly choosing dwarf goats for pets. *once they start to recognize you, they will start to follow you around. The Nigerian Dwarfs have been enjoying a rise in popularity due to their small size, colorful markings, dairy characteristics and their wonderful easy temperament. This site also participates in other affiliate programs and is compensated for referring traffic and business to them. Lysine is an amino acid that has been shown to produce more milk in dairy goats. Sitemap. American Pygmy vs. Nigerian Dwarf – It’s easy to confuse the two breeds of “little” goats. Use a feed trough to spread the feed out for proper distribution. Beginning in the 18th century, sailors began transporting animals to Europe and the United States. It must contain a protein supplement, and it is recommended that it be a quality sunflower meal (it contains about 33% protein on average), which is cheaper than soybean meal. Although Nigerian dwarf goats were rare when I got started in 2002, today they are the fastest growing breed for all of the reasons I’ve mentioned so far. This formula is similar to other baby goat formulas and should work for all type of baby goats. pictures. She writes a blog (ruminationsongoats.blogspot.com) and is an expert on goats at allexperts.com. The Nigerian Dwarf goat milk benefit is that it is higher in butterfat (6-10 percent) … The pygmy has a narrower head than the Nigerian dwarf, and has a slighter build. These miniature goats needs the same basic grain feed, roughage, water, mineral supplements, shelter, and vaccinations as all other goat breeds. Textured feeds usually have a sweet molasses added as well as several ingredients such as corn. For Nigerian Dwarf goats, we recommend feeding “free choice” loose goat mineral (not a block) and baking soda. Although you do not need a ton of room to roam to offer a Nigerian dwarf goat a suitable home, they are truly high energy animals. Breeding your Nigerian Dwarf for milk production means you’ll have to hand-feed the kids rather than allow them to nurse from the doe. Silage is very useful in feeding goats, but in general, breeders rarely use it, probably because it is complicated for them to make it. I wormed her 2 weeks ago with Safe-guard,(fenbendazole) She weighs about 4olbs. And since goats digest foods differently than humans, learning a bit about how they process food helps in understanding how best to feed them.. Goats are ruminants and as such have four different chambers to process food rather than one stomach like humans. Ideally they should have access to pasture year-round. The ratio of calcium and phosphorus in the meal should be about 2: 1. © Copyright 2020 Nigerian Dwarf Goats World. Do Nigerian dwarf goats eat weeds? She was my 10th birthday present. Nigerian Dwarf Goats Join Kilimanjaro Safaris at Disney’s Animal Kingdom By Ashley Carter Orange County PUBLISHED 12:42 PM ET Dec. 17, 2020 PUBLISHED 12:42 PM EST Dec. 17, 2020 As pets, Nigerian Dwarf Goats can be playful, friendly, and sociable pets. It may not seem that ND goats would be worth the trouble to butcher because of their small size. Also, one trick you can try in order to increase milk production is to find protein sources high in lysine. at birth, but grow quickly. Dwarf Nigerian Goat Urinary Calculi: What Is It? This means that they prefer to eat shrubby plants rather than pasture grasses. I fell in love with NGD’s at first sight and they brought us into a whole new level of homesteading that we had never dreamed of- the ability to have fresh milk. They reach sexual maturity early, so you must be sure to separate buck kids early. People began to domesticate them in central West Africa, especially in Cameroon and Nigeria. There are more…, Farming Base (farmingbase.com) is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. Goats, in general, need energy and nutrients to rebuild, build a body and produce milk, and these are water, carbohydrates, amino acids, vitamins, and minerals. Once you get used to your own herd you will notice who looks a little thin or who might have a dull coat and you can make adjustments. Their small size means that they will consume about half as much feed as other breeds that are over twice their size. Regardless, Nigerian dwarf goats need to have access to fresh and clean water all the time. Here is why. Does will … Although they eat weeds, the most important food for them is hay, and the best one there is alfalfa. Goats do not graze and they won’t replace your lawnmower. goats need vitamins A, D, and E. Goats should be allowed unrestricted, free access to the mineral-vitamin premix with the addition of salt. Winter browse and pastures should be supplemented with hay. Also, they will eat weeds and grass and occasionally your wife or mothers flowers. when the plants are still young, can have a satisfactory share of energy, especially protein. The Kids price ranges between N80,000 – N100,000. Haylage is a feed rich in protein, calcium, and phosphorus. Pens or houses should be kept clean with fresh hay or straw for bedding. For one to just a few goats, many owners find that an oversized dog house or two does the job. We use these little stainless steel pailsto milk our Nigerian Dwarf goats. She also has an occassion dry cough. Nigerian Dwarf goat farmers make a cool amount of cash from the milk produced from the goats. We haven't seen her drink either. Goats are ruminants and feed exclusively on bulky food. Such fodder, if used in the vegetative phase of development, i.e. Each adult animal will eat 1 to 2 pounds a day unless supplemented with grain. What should I do? Hay is a mediocre source of protein and energy. "But they have giant udders," says Novella Carpenter. Feed the grains separate and provide the minerals separate as well. The list below is not a comprehensive list of health care supplies to have on hand to deal with any health issue, but it’s a start on those that deal with the most common ailments you might encounter. Not all websites are created equal, however. They can be easily trained and wonderful with children, making them attractive to first-timers or youth participating in FFA or 4-H clubs. They love variety so they’ll eat up your trees, bushes, & weeds before they’ll nibble on the grass. I like it because my goats seem to like it and they all have nice shiny coats. Nigerian dwarf goats are excellent milkers compared to their body size, and considered as the best miniature dairy goats. Healthy bacteria within the rumen help to break it down. Because of their size they are easier to handle and they eat less then a larger breed would. Since they are so small, most people view ND wethers as pets. Randy Haupt says. The Bucks and milking Does price ranges between N40,000 – N60,000 and the Wethers sell for a price range of N25,000 – N40,000. These animals feed on hay and clover and need to be provided with food in enough quantities, as they eat several times a day with breaks for rest and digestion. The body is less muscular than that of the Cameroon dwarf goat. On an average, a doe can produce about 2.5 pounds of milk daily. A doe that is in milk needs more and the recommended percentage is 16-18%. Nigerian dwarf goats grow to only 21 in. If you free range your goats on a large homestead with varying terrain, the goat herd will find plenty of ways to entertain themselves. Jun 18, 2011 New England. I was wondering how much food your Nigerian Dwarf goat eat a day? I hope that I have provided some good information to get you started. however, this couldn't be further from the truth. The parts of the body are in balanced proportion. Now that you understand how they prefer to operate let’s explore a proper diet for healthy goats. Goats being the very picky eaters that they are will usually pick-out the stuff they want to eat and leave the rest. There is certainly a lot to love about Nigerian goats. Therefore, for grazing dairy goats, the best bud is on cultivated, sown pastures dominated by Gramineae, Italian lily of the valley, and legumes of white and red clover. Nigerian Dwarf goats generally have between 1-4 kids per litter. The males can grow up to 50 – 60 centimeters. She should know: she has six goats that together provide a quart of milk a day, which she drinks and uses to make cheese and butter. August 29, 2019. Nigerian dwarfs are small for goats, adult does weigh 50-60 pounds when mature. Insufficient water consumption can cause various health problems. A ruminant is an animal that chews cud. Dwarf goats are the result of a genetic mutation in ordinary goats. Two of them (Strawberry and Blueberry) came from a set of triplets and the other (Brownie) was born near the same time. Because of this you will want to look at the website’s credentials along with that of the author. Nigerian dwarf goats will eat almost any vegetation in your yard, from weeds and grass to flowers and bushes. Goats will eat grasses, but when given the choice, most will browse on leaves bef… Nigerian Dwarf goats are enjoying a rise in popularity due to their small size and colorful markings. my goats are not free range i keep them penned up for their safety. Many owners find that providing a few "toys" for the goats provides them with hours of caprine … 1. What Is the Difference Between Cow and Heifer? She raises Nigerian Dwarf goats, Buckeye chickens, honey bees and produce. What do Nigerian dwarf goats eat? DaNelle Wolford says. Furthermore, smart as these Nigerian dwarfs goats have become, I should say this Rubbermaid-built Hay Feeder is precisely what I'm going to do as it is evident that they're not going to have it as easy as before in terms of wasting the tons of hay they used to. Too wet hay is not for Nigerian dwarf goats. Feeding green fodder is especially advantageous for increasing milk yield in goats. This site also participates in other affiliate programs and is compensated for referring traffic and business to them. You can also feed your goats with goat feed that you buy in the feed and grain store. While the information in this article will be for dairy goats, I have done my best to be as specific to Nigerian dwarf goats as I can. Another big perk is that it has ammonium chloride added that helps prevent urinary calculi in the bucks and wethers. We do this not only for the safety of our goats but also because there is speculation, that has yet to be proven, that Johnes and Crohns diesease are the same and since we have immune compromised individuals in our home it is not worth the risk of exposure for us. Deciding to draw from older resources and a nagging feeling that the modern way of doing things is not the only way—nor the best way—we raised our animals almost entirely off our overgrown, weedy new homestead. Check the photos below for some of the more common poisonous plants. Nigerian dwarf goats, as all goats, are quite picky animals, so they eat only the highest quality parts of plants, primarily leaves, flowers, and buds, while the stem will be eaten less often. If you don't want them to eat something, keep … Namely, there is no need for its amount to exceed one kilogram in a meal. Hay for goats must be of the best quality, pleasant smell and taste, free of mold. Feeding Nigerian dwarf goats grains alone is never recommended and they are only meant to be a supplement to help balance their requirements. Lastly, please continue to read my Nigerian dwarf blog for more informative articles. Getting Nigerian Dwarf Goats for the first time can seem overwhelming. Make certain the feed does not contain urea because it is toxic to goats. There is also a pelleted feed that is created in a mill that has everything within a pellet. The Nigerian Dwarf Goat is a small but well-proportioned dairy goat. This is a smaller sized animal, so kids can do more with the animals you have at home when you choose a smaller breed. These animals are well-meaning, love children very much, and love to play. Many issues that come up, Facebook0Tweet0Pin0 This is an ailment that primarily affects male goats, especially wethered males. Since the Nigerian dwarf goat is very small, they will eat smaller plants and weeds. For proper development,…, Farming Base (farmingbase.com) is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. Furthermore, the Nigerian Dwarf breed is a good source of milk and has a playful personality. Jun 7, 2016 - Here's everything you need to know about feeding goats: what do goats eat, best snacks or treats, what NOT to feed them, and how to nourish your goat. We do not and do not recommend it. Adult goats drink between 2 and 6 liters of water a day. Due to these qualities and their small size, they are well known far and wide as great family pets. Also, being low on copper can cause loss of hair color, coarse hair, stillborn babies, anemia, weight loss, and decreased milk production. Loose goat minerals. In the initial period of the grazing season, which is represented by woody plants and shrubs, as well as weeds, may have higher nutrients than the usual plants on pastures. 3 Month Old Nigerian Dwarf Doelings (Day We Brought Them Home) The doelings were three months old when we got them. I’ve always been an animal lover and I fell in love with goats at a young age. Home. It is often necessary to give our goats concentrates to meet the needs for nutrients, which form the basic, voluminous feed could not meet. If you’re planning to own Nigerian Dwarf goats, it’s a good idea to gather these basic health care supplies and learn the dosages so you can keep your goats healthy. Bucks and dry does need 11-12% protein in their diets. Folk lore says you can feed goats practically anything. What do goats eat? How to tell: taking care: should you buy? The Nigerian Dwarf goat is a miniature goat of West African origin. Leaving it out free choice increases your chances of UC in your male goats. Their wool is usually heterogeneous in color, with no specific color. This site also participates in other affiliate programs and is compensated for referring traffic and business to them. Dec 13, 2016 #4 . Nigerian Dwarf Goats for Urban Farming and Homesteading. Nigerian Dwarf goats are known for their gentleness, small size, cuteness and even tempers, playful personalities and are popular as great family pets. How much hay does a Nigerian Dwarf goat eat in a week? How Often You Should Feed the Kids. This site also participates in other affiliate programs and is compensated for referring traffic and business to them. The best thing for goats to eat and the food they digest the best is bulk fiber and fibrous plant material. The Nigerian Dwarf, like the American Pygmy Goat, derives from these, but does not resemble the stocky West African Dwarf in conformation – it has been bred to have the appearance of a miniature dairy goat. Those chambers are designed to extract nutrients from plants. Sodium is yummy for goats. Why Nigerian Dwarf Goats? There are a number of West African Dwarf goats, the Nigerian Dwarf goat among them. This will cause an unbalanced diet. tall, about equal to a medium-size dog. However, there are some little tips and tricks that new goat owners don’t always think about. The Nigerian Dwarf goats were a perfect breed for us because of their small stature, they fit well within our tiny piece of land (1/4 acre) which made them easily manageable. A healthy Nigerian Dwarf doe can produce a surprising amount of sweet milk for her small size – up to two quarts per day. Male dwarf goats don’t need that much quality hay. All goats are ruminants, meaning that their stomach is divided into four chambers that help them process food. Their small stature means they do not require as much space or feed as their larger dairy goat counterparts. You can see just how important this mineral is. If you feed your goats too many grains, it can actually kill them. Breeds to Consider. There are many other “supplements” that are fed in small amounts to Nigerian Dwarf goats such as beet pulp, kelp, roasted soy meal, and black oil sunflower seeds. Finally, back in August we bought three baby Nigerian Dwarf Goats. Goats also forage and will eat almost any growing plant they can reach. Nigerian Dwarf Goats Join Kilimanjaro Safaris (Walt Disney World) Here is a great article to read on vitamins and minerals titled: Nigerian Dwarfs: The Essential Vitamins And Minerals. Knowing the proper answer is very important for keeping healthy, happy goats! Since Nigerian Dwarf Goats are so popular, there is a wealth of informational websites that you can use to learn more about the breed. It makes bucks and wethers urine alkaline. Here is a great little video on correct structure of a Nigerian Dwarf goat. May 19, 2016 at 3:14 am. These goats are often even seen in town as a families milking goat and pet. Although they eat weeds, the most important food for them is hay, and the best one there is alfalfa. There have been…, Farming Base (farmingbase.com) is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. That is, water consumption and food consumption are very related and depending on each other. Goats get their energy by oxidizing the organic matter of food. Green fodder or pasture is the favorite fodder for Nigerian dwarf goats. The Nigerian Dwarf goat is a miniature goat of West African origin. Larger goats, for example, Boer goats can eat a plant that is 6 or 7 feet high. Ensure the kids receive the doe’s colostrum within 24 hours after birth, or provide them with commercial colostrum from a bottle. This is a process that helps them to properly digest their food. It is important that you do not feed your adult goats more than 1½ pounds of grain … Dairy goats need a year-round supply of roughage, such as pasture, browse or well-cured hay. In spite of popular belief, goats are not strictly grazers actually, they’re browsers. We chose the Nigerian Dwarf Goat for our farm because of their small size and the taste of their milk. The amount of protein is more important than their quality since goats are ruminants, the microorganisms in the rumen produce their bodily, metabolic proteins. One important thing to remember when dealing with goats is that they are very curious and will nibble everything. The only edible weed is nettle. Their diet consists mostly of hay and forage and they should have high-quality food. Their shelter must be dry and clean. It has a lifespan of at least 12 to 14 years wherein the average lifespan of an ordinary or average goat ranges from 15 to 18 years. Be award that many times, no matter how much you feed, the doe will get thin. One of the problems that can occur when feeding cereals is that they contain a lot of phosphorus and little calcium. #6 Reason Why You DON’T Want Nigerian Dwarf Goats: Landscaping. Nigerian dwarf goat costs more than any other goat type; and they cost more than most people think they actually do. Let’s get started. Nigerian dwarf goats will eat hay but it should be in a trough and not touching the ground. Most importantly, your goats will need free-choice access to quality hay and forage. Cheryl K. Smith has raised a small herd of dairy goats under the herd name Mystic Acres since 1998. She was my bud. So you will get fresh milk for your family consumption throughout the year, if you raise a few does. SalteyLove Well-Known Member. Summersun, Dec 12, 2016. Proper and sufficient nutrition can significantly highlight the genetic potential of the animal, as well as the level of their production. Nigerian Dwarfs are family friendly. Hello! Search this site. Pasture has a higher proportion of nutrients and less cellulose and lignin, which makes this feed better digestible. 10,449. Nigerian Dwarf Goats. | Powered By Asad Fareed. Farming Base (farmingbase.com) is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. Feeding Nigerian dwarf goats a proper diet that is nutritionally-balanced is the best thing you can do to keep your herd healthy. Vitamins are needed by goats in small quantities, i.e. If the doe is dry or pregnant, she doesn’t need high-quality hay. Like most livestock herd animals, your Nigerian Dwarf goats will eat hay, as long as it's in some kind of manger or trough so it doesn't touch the ground. In addition, goats will need free-choice access to a goat mineral to help balance their diets. Dry feed is considered her combined grains, hay, and forage. They actually have four separate chambers for processing food instead of one stomach. They will eat your: gardens, trees, bushes, flowers, siding on your house, shoes (we still can’t find the other flip-flop), and anything else they can get their mouths on. Nigerian Dwarf Goats: Milk. Goats can be picky eaters at time and can even have delicate digestive systems. It is the chamber that breaks down all of the roughage that they eat. Nigerian Dwarf Goat Kid Care. The minerals should say they are for goats and only goats!