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Barnyard Buddies:  Info on Nigerian Dwarf Goats Wanted  |
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EnchantedWoodsGirl
True Blue Farmgirl
959 Posts
Kathy
New Jersey
USA
959 Posts |
 Posted - Feb 29 2008 : 5:00:31 PM
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Hi Gals - I am getting two baby Nigerian Dwarf goats in April and was wondering if you can tell me about your experiences with them - I am getting a doe and a wether - I may take the female back to the breeder for stud service.
I am thinking of milking the doe and perhaps trying my hand at making goats milk soap.
My other two goats, Maybelline (plain midsize farmyard goat) and my Nubian will be given plenty of time to adjust as I will be bottle feeding the babies and then in a few months slowly introducing them to the other two goats.
Please feel free to share all of your knowledge with me. I have never had tiny goats and I have no milking experience, but, I have bottle raised my Nubian with no problems.
Thanks everyone!If you have pictures of yours, I would love to see them too!I have been looking at tons of videos of them on youtube.com
Blessed be,
Kathy of the Enchanted Wood
Kathy of the Enchanted Wood
Farmgirl Sister #59
http://enchantedwoodmusings.blogspot.com/
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PlumCreekMama
True Blue Farmgirl
730 Posts
Heather
Iowa
USA
730 Posts |
Posted - Feb 29 2008 : 5:29:50 PM
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I have a doe and a wether that are nigerian dwarves. I have had an easy time milking the doe, even as inexperienced as I am. The doe is a great mother, and the wether is so gentle. His job is to sit with the pregnant does when they get close to delivery. They don't like to be alone, but the other mama goats and the horses will kill or hurt the babies. My wether sits with them patiently, then when they have their babies, he usually escapes the enclosure, or at the very least, runs out when you open the gate. He knows when his job is done! He is a very important member of the herd! I haven't had any problems introducing goats to one another. Goats like company, especially other goats. There will be a period of adjustment while the newbies are taught who the leader of the pack is, but it's generally not a big deal.
http://plumcreekmama.blogspot.com/ |
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artbysue
True Blue Farmgirl
218 Posts
Sue
Kidron
Ohio
USA
218 Posts |
Posted - Mar 01 2008 : 10:20:05 PM
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I can give you any personal experience because I ahven't had nigerian dwarfs but I ahd a friend who did and they did very well. She love them. she never milked though...I agree with the advise that goats usually take very well to other goats. You should ahv eno problems with them becoming part of your herd.
artist, equine portraits, animal art, farms, barns, Amish art, fiber animal art
www.suesteiner.com www.amish-art.com
www.amulti-coloredlife.blogspot.com |
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NancyM
True Blue Farmgirl
113 Posts
Nancy
Fall City
WA
113 Posts |
Posted - Mar 03 2008 : 7:34:45 PM
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I have questions about Nigerian Dwarf goats too. I'm wanting to get a couple this spring just as pets. We have coyotes, bobcats, bears etc. so I'd like to keep them in with my hens, who have about 600 SF of completely fenced area. Is this enough space for them if I supplement their diet with hay? We had a pygmy goat back when I had horses, but he just ran around-I'm not an expert on goat-keeping. Any websites anyone can point me to?
Thanks! |
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QueenofQuiteAlot
True Blue Farmgirl
865 Posts
Dalyn
Milk 'n Honey Ranch
Central, WA
USA
865 Posts |
Posted - Mar 07 2008 : 6:04:01 PM
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I'm getting a little buckling for my birthday next month...going to use him to breed 3 of my smaller sized Nubians girls with the idea that by the third generation of that I'll have pure mini Nubians. *U*
Nigerians seem to be escape atists...other than that I don't don't think there's too much to worry about except tem getting fat. You'll have a hard time with them kidding if they get fat, which they tend to do easily.
Dalyn
Muckboots 'N Aprons Chapter
~Hick Chicks Soap Barn~
www.hickchickssoapbarn.com
Homespun Raw Goat Milk Soaps 'n More
http://muckbootsnaprons.blogspot.com/ |
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EnchantedWoodsGirl
True Blue Farmgirl
959 Posts
Kathy
New Jersey
USA
959 Posts |
Posted - Mar 07 2008 : 6:33:24 PM
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The babies that I am buying were born the other day - the price went up so I am getting just two wethers instead - they are sooooo cute I will have to post pictures. I will have them in a week or so. :)
Kathy of the Enchanted Wood
Farmgirl Sister #59
http://enchantedwoodmusings.blogspot.com/
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NancyM
True Blue Farmgirl
113 Posts
Nancy
Fall City
WA
113 Posts |
Posted - Mar 10 2008 : 8:24:25 PM
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Thanks for the info Dalyn. I'm used to little escape artists!
Congrats on your new kids Kathy-can't wait to see the pix. |
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Aunt Jenny
True Blue Farmgirl
11381 Posts
Jenny
middle of
Utah
USA
11381 Posts |
Posted - Mar 10 2008 : 10:28:42 PM
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I have had ND goats a couple times..in fact my very first goat was a very extra small Nigerian Dwarf. They are adorable pets and good mothers, but I didn't like the time I tried to milk one. Picture milking with your index finger and thumb and that is it. About like milking a small dog!! At least that was my experience. I loved them for pets though...my kids had so much fun with the ones we had...you need a taller fence for sure than you do for bigger goats..they are almost able to fly!! Wethers make great pets..you will love them!!
Jenny in Utah
Proud Farmgirl sister #24
Inside me there is a skinny woman crying to get out...but I can usually shut her up with cookies
http://www.auntjennysworld.blogspot.com/ visit my little online shop at www.auntjenny.etsy.com |
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EnchantedWoodsGirl
True Blue Farmgirl
959 Posts
Kathy
New Jersey
USA
959 Posts |
Posted - Mar 11 2008 : 06:29:12 AM
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Now you have me thinking - my giant Nubian and other farm goat do not try to jump the fence - it is split rail fence with regular chain link fence to the outside attached to it. Am I going to have a problem? Since I am getting the two males together and they will eventually go out in the paddock with the other two goats - there are also two stalls out there, won't it be enough to keep them busy. I also have two wooden spools, one big one one smaller one that the other goats jump on. I don't want to have this being another whole project for me and more money......
Kathy of the Enchanted Wood
Farmgirl Sister #59
http://enchantedwoodmusings.blogspot.com/
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Aunt Jenny
True Blue Farmgirl
11381 Posts
Jenny
middle of
Utah
USA
11381 Posts |
Posted - Mar 11 2008 : 2:30:17 PM
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They might climb a fence like that. My big old Saanens didn't try fences much at all..but boy the little breeds sure do. I don't think it is so much a boredom thing as a challenge to be where YOU are thing. I have seen a little pygmy goat my friend had climb right up a corner of a 6 ft wire field fence pen once..she had NO problem going out..mine were never THAT bad..but just be aware they can be.
Jenny in Utah
Proud Farmgirl sister #24
Inside me there is a skinny woman crying to get out...but I can usually shut her up with cookies
http://www.auntjennysworld.blogspot.com/ visit my little online shop at www.auntjenny.etsy.com |
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GoatMama
Farmgirl in Training
11 Posts
The Scrublands of Eastern
Washington
USA
11 Posts |
Posted - Mar 12 2008 : 4:55:14 PM
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quote:
Originally posted by NancyM
We have coyotes, bobcats, bears etc. so I'd like to keep them in with my hens, who have about 600 SF of completely fenced area. Is this enough space for them if I supplement their diet with hay?
Hi there. I've heard that you need about 30 square feet of area per goat, just as their little habitat. Mine live in a smallish pen, but they are let out to browse just about every day.
Also, as far as keeping goats in with chickens - the goats WILL eat all the cracked corn for the hens. It's like candy to them and they will just gobble it down until there's nothing left. I think there also could be a problem with disease transmission between the two species - but don't quote me on that. I just think I've read it in a goat book. |
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EnchantedWoodsGirl
True Blue Farmgirl
959 Posts
Kathy
New Jersey
USA
959 Posts |
Posted - Mar 12 2008 : 6:40:36 PM
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Well - I would not keep them with the chickens, that is out of the question. I have a large paddock that my other two goats are in, I had my miniature horses here too but they are gone now.
Perhaps these little goats are not a good idea for me at all - I was under the impression from the lady that I would be buying from that if I bought two goats together they would be companions Vs buying a single goat and then slowly getting my other two goats used to it when it is big enough to join them. Any ideas?
What should I expect to pay for one of them as the woman has raised the price on the wethers to $150 and a female is $400 - just curious
Thanks all you goaty gals!
Kathy of the Enchanted Wood
Farmgirl Sister #59
http://enchantedwoodmusings.blogspot.com/
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mmartz
Farmgirl in Training
10 Posts
Melissa
Frostburg
MD
USA
10 Posts |
Posted - Mar 12 2008 : 6:49:21 PM
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quote:
Originally posted by EnchantedWoodsGirl
Now you have me thinking - my giant Nubian and other farm goat do not try to jump the fence - it is split rail fence with regular chain link fence to the outside attached to it. Am I going to have a problem? Since I am getting the two males together and they will eventually go out in the paddock with the other two goats - there are also two stalls out there, won't it be enough to keep them busy. I also have two wooden spools, one big one one smaller one that the other goats jump on. I don't want to have this being another whole project for me and more money......
Kathy of the Enchanted Wood
Farmgirl Sister #59
http://enchantedwoodmusings.blogspot.com/
rocking m |
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GoatMama
Farmgirl in Training
11 Posts
The Scrublands of Eastern
Washington
USA
11 Posts |
Posted - Mar 12 2008 : 6:51:42 PM
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quote:
Originally posted by EnchantedWoodsGirl
Well - I would not keep them with the chickens, that is out of the question. I have a large paddock that my other two goats are in, I had my miniature horses here too but they are gone now.
Perhaps these little goats are not a good idea for me at all - I was under the impression from the lady that I would be buying from that if I bought two goats together they would be companions Vs buying a single goat and then slowly getting my other two goats used to it when it is big enough to join them. Any ideas?
What should I expect to pay for one of them as the woman has raised the price on the wethers to $150 and a female is $400 - just curious
Thanks all you goaty gals!
Whoops! I meant to clarify, I was directing that to NancyM, about the goats in with the chickens.
EnchantedWoodsGirl:
I've always bought my goats 2 at a time and the herd always accepted them, although they've always stayed together as a "subherd" if that makes sense. Most wethers are 50-60 dollars (non-registered), and you can get a doe for about 100 (again, non-registered), but I don't know if your needs require that it be a registered goat. Good luck!
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mmartz
Farmgirl in Training
10 Posts
Melissa
Frostburg
MD
USA
10 Posts |
Posted - Mar 12 2008 : 6:54:44 PM
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Kathy,
I raise Nigerian Dwarf goats and I will say they are more difficult to milk than a full-size goat. All goats are escape artists, but you can get away with a shorter fence for NDs.
Missy
rocking-m.com
rocking m |
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EnchantedWoodsGirl
True Blue Farmgirl
959 Posts
Kathy
New Jersey
USA
959 Posts |
Posted - Mar 12 2008 : 6:58:45 PM
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I would be getting two boys vs one girl - and there would be no milking like I had originally thought I would do with a female.
Kathy of the Enchanted Wood
Farmgirl Sister #59
http://enchantedwoodmusings.blogspot.com/
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mmartz
Farmgirl in Training
10 Posts
Melissa
Frostburg
MD
USA
10 Posts |
Posted - Mar 12 2008 : 7:01:12 PM
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15 sq ft per goat is adequate for a Nigerian, but I would provide a long narrow run if possible. I like to use non climb horse fence on the outside of t-posts.
rocking m |
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EnchantedWoodsGirl
True Blue Farmgirl
959 Posts
Kathy
New Jersey
USA
959 Posts |
Posted - Mar 12 2008 : 7:17:02 PM
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Goat Momma - I just want a smaller goat compared to my huge Nubian - my regular "farm" goat - the smaller one is getting on in years - I won't be involved in showing or 4H activities so basically do you think I would be paying too much for a wether and do you think I would be okay just to purchase one and my other two goats would accept him?
Kathy of the Enchanted Wood
Farmgirl Sister #59
http://enchantedwoodmusings.blogspot.com/
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GoatMama
Farmgirl in Training
11 Posts
The Scrublands of Eastern
Washington
USA
11 Posts |
Posted - Mar 12 2008 : 9:17:42 PM
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I would just keep my eyes peeled. On craigslist there are so many goat kids being GIVEN away right now because people just want their moms for milk. I have a purebred Nubian doe that I got for $40 last spring, and my Nigerian cross doe was $30. Wethers are so frequently sold as meat, it's hard to imagine that they would charge that much.
I would probably buy 2 goats just on the off chance that the other goats weren't so accepting right away and if the new goat had to be kept by himself for a bit he wouldn't be alone.
So, I guess my main point is, try to find goats that are lower in price and get two.
I love Nigerian Dwarf babies!! They are the cutest kids, IMO.
Here are some pics of my crew:
Pixie, the ND cross doe:
Bambi, a LaMancha doe:
and finally, Belle, my herd queen, a Nubian,
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Aunt Jenny
True Blue Farmgirl
11381 Posts
Jenny
middle of
Utah
USA
11381 Posts |
Posted - Mar 12 2008 : 9:26:33 PM
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That seems like a high price for wethers to me too.
Jenny in Utah
Proud Farmgirl sister #24
Inside me there is a skinny woman crying to get out...but I can usually shut her up with cookies
http://www.auntjennysworld.blogspot.com/ visit my little online shop at www.auntjenny.etsy.com |
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EnchantedWoodsGirl
True Blue Farmgirl
959 Posts
Kathy
New Jersey
USA
959 Posts |
Posted - Mar 14 2008 : 5:41:56 PM
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Thank you for all your help but I have decided to pass on the goats as my dog Sister will be having a big surgery on Tuesday.
Kathy of the Enchanted Wood
Farmgirl Sister #59
http://enchantedwoodmusings.blogspot.com/
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Aunt Jenny
True Blue Farmgirl
11381 Posts
Jenny
middle of
Utah
USA
11381 Posts |
Posted - Mar 14 2008 : 10:17:26 PM
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I hope Sister will do really well!!! Sometimes you just know it is better to wait. I bet you will get some ND goats someday though! They are hard to resist~!
Jenny in Utah
Proud Farmgirl sister #24
Inside me there is a skinny woman crying to get out...but I can usually shut her up with cookies
http://www.auntjennysworld.blogspot.com/ visit my little online shop at www.auntjenny.etsy.com |
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NancyM
True Blue Farmgirl
113 Posts
Nancy
Fall City
WA
113 Posts |
Posted - Mar 14 2008 : 11:05:35 PM
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Good point on the goats eating the chicken food. I'll also need to research diseases. Thanks for the info-I'm in the exploratory stage. Our plan is to seed the area we'll be using for pasture this year and let it grow in before fencing. I was just hoping to get goats before next year. We're planning to get some alpacas next year but I can't wait for more animals!
Nancy |
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Barnyard Buddies: Info on Nigerian Dwarf Goats Wanted |
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Info on Nigerian Dwarf Goats Wanted
