Table of Contents
Are Nigerian Dwarf goats easy to care for?
As with most livestock, Nigerian Dwarf goats are fairly easy to raise and maintain. They only have a few basic requirements, and most goats are pretty tough. Even so, a good book on the breed is always great to have on hand.
How often do you feed Nigerian Dwarf goats?
Nigerian dwarfs and pygmies only need about 1/2 cup each per day while standard sized goats need about twice that much. Bucks and wethers should not have grain after about six months of age, and does only need grain at the very end of pregnancy and while in milk.
What is the life expectancy of a Nigerian Dwarf goat?
Reproduction & Lifespan Males reach sexual maturity at only 4 months of age, while females aren’t fully mature until 8 months. With a gestation period of 5 months, they breed all year round and produce 2 to 4 young. On average, these goats live between 15 and 20 years.
What do I need for my Nigerian Dwarf goats?
Feeding Nigerian Dwarf Dairy Goats – What Gets Fed. Because goats are designed for processing fibrous plant material, the most important feature of their diet is free choice, good quality hay or hay and forage. Next, they need access to free choice goat mineral with a balanced ratio of calcium to phosphorus.
How much room does a Nigerian Dwarf goat need?
You’ll need about 135 square feet (12.5 m2) of space per goat that you have in your herd. Nigerian dwarf goats are very playful, and they love to romp and climb on things. So if you have 3 goats, for example, you’ll need about 405 square feet (37.6 m2) of space.
Do I have to milk my Nigerian Dwarf goats?
Female Nigerian Dwarf goats, or does, need to be milked daily. When a doe is nursing her kids, you will not need to milk her as her milk will be used naturally. However, most kids will naturally wean between one to four months of age. When this happens, it will be your responsibility to take over.
What do goats need in their pen?
Your goats will need to be protected from extreme temperatures, both heat, and cold. They need shelters that will get them out of the heat and warm in the cold. Goats also hate to be wet, so they also need a place to get out of the rain, hail, and wind.
Do goats need heat in the winter?
Goats kidding in the cold weather will require more shelter because young kids will not be able to maintain their body temperature outside. A heat lamp may be required in these situations but should only be used with extreme caution because of the risk of barn fires or animals chewing electric cords.
Do goats need hay?
Goats require additional hay, which is roughage, for their rumen to function properly. The rumen is the first stomach compartment (rich in live bacteria) that begins to digest the fiber. Alfalfa hay is also popular for feeding goats and has more protein, vitamins, and minerals than grass hays, typically.
Do Nigerian Dwarf goats stink?
They have an extremely offensive odor, especially during the breeding season. The reason they smell so bad is that they constantly urinate all over themselves, on their faces, bellies, legs, beards and yes, even in their own mouths! They have longer hair than does and wethers, which makes the stench even worse.
Are Nigerian Dwarf goats noisy?
Nigerian dwarf goats are usually quiet, but they get very noisy when they want something. Since these types of goats are in heat every month, you will have a hard time keeping them quiet. There are, however, a few tricks you can try to keep them quiet.
How much does it cost to feed a Nigerian Dwarf goat?
Total. So all in all you’re looking at a grand total of about $202-326 to feed one goat for a year. That’s cheaper than feeding my dog which is about $600+ per year. But when you own several goats it’s again, healthier and cheaper to free range them on pasture if that option is available to you.
Can Nigerian Dwarf goats live inside?
Keeping even a miniature goat breed like a Nigerian dwarf or Pygmy goat as an indoor pet is simply not a good idea. While some folks have successfully potty trained baby goats, they will feel too confined in such an unnatural environment and ultimately wreak havoc on everything they can either chew or climb.
What you need for your first goat?
If you have goats or are considering raising goats, you should know that goat’s basic needs are: shelter, water, and food. Goats need protection from the elements, and constant access to fresh water, but one of the most important elements of raising goats is proper nutrition.
How tall should a fence be for Nigerian Dwarf goats?
A 4- to 5-foot (1.2–1.5 m) fence is satisfactory for most goats. A 3-foot (0.9 m) fence is usually tall enough to contain adult Nigerian Dwarf or miniature goats.
