For 4H Kids, Parents and Leaders: Why Choose Nigerian Dwarf Dairy Goats?

Nigerian Dwarf dairy goats make the perfect project goat for kids in 4H!  Here are just some of the reasons:

• They're about 1/3 the size of a regular dairy goat.  This means they eat 1/3 as much, require less height in fencing, are easy for smaller kids to handle, have smaller teats which are more manageable for small hands but are still quite easy for adults to milk.
• Because they're smaller, it's easier to keep two for companionship.  Goats should always have a companion, both for their sanity and yours and your neighbors (no lonely goats bleating at 2 a.m.!).
• They're naturally people-friendly as long as they're handled when young.  Our dam-raised kids are regular lap-goats!  But you can also bottle-raise them if you prefer;  it just isn't necessary to bottle feed for them to want to be with people.
• They are a legitimate dairy goat, recognized as a breed by the American Dairy Goat Association (ADGA) and bred to have the same conformation as a full-sized dairy goat.  At times, Nigerian Dwarf goats have won in ADGA and AGS (American Goat Society) shows over full-sized dairy goats, demonstrating that they have all the dairy character expected of any dairy goat!
• They have exceptionally rich, sweet milk that doesn't taste at all "goaty" when fresh.  One cheese-making dairy, Pholia Farms in Oregon, uses milk exclusively from their Nigerian Dwarf goats to produce unique, farmstead-stye cheese.

And an additional perk is that these goats come in an amazing assortment of colors and patterns along with blue eyes, golden eyes and brown eyes!  But make sure you get goats which have been bred with milk and dairy character as the first priority...colors are just for fun!

Here's what the Nigerian Dwarf Goat Association has to say about "Nigies" (pronounced "Nye-jeez"):

About Nigerian Dwarf Goats

The Nigerian Dwarf is a miniature dairy goat of West African origin. Nigerian Dwarf goats are enjoying a rise in popularity due to their small size, colorful markings and dairy characteristics. Their small stature means they do not require as much space or feed as their larger dairy goat counterparts and their gentle and friendly personalities make them good companion pets. The milk is also higher in butterfat and has a sweeter taste. Nigerians are easy to handle; even for small children. Nigerian Dwarfs are considered rare by the American Livestock Breeds Conservancy. The U.S. Department of Agriculture has also approved the Nigerian Dwarf Goat as a livestock dairy goat, which makes them eligible for youth 4H and FFA projects.

The Nigerian Dwarf is a Miniature Dairy Goat

A healthy Nigerian Dwarf doe can produce a surprising amount of sweet milk for her small size - up to two quarts per day or more. In addition, Nigerian Dwarf milk is higher in butterfat (6-10%) and higher in protein than milk from most dairy goat breeds. Many Nigerian Dwarf owners raise their goats for milk production but others raise them for the pleasure and companionship these little caprines bring to their lives.

Nigerian Dwarf Conformation

A Nigerian Dwarf goat's conformation is similar to that of the larger dairy goat breeds. The parts of the body are in balanced proportion. The nose is straight, although there may be a small break or stop at the level of the eyes. The ears are upright. The coat is soft with short to medium hair. Any color or combination of colors is acceptable, although the silver agouti pattern and color is a moderate fault (pygmy goat-specific markings).

Ideal height of Nigerian Dwarf goats is 17" to 19" for does with does up to 21" allowed in the breed standard. Ideal height for bucks is 19" to 21" with bucks up to 23" allowed in the breed standard. Ideal weight is suggested to be about 75 lbs. 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 myatonia (a breed characteristic of fainting goats).

Nigerian Dwarf Temperament

Dwarfs goats are gentle, loveable and playful. Their calm, even temperament and engaging personalities make them suitable companions for all, including children, the disabled and the elderly. Even breeding bucks are handled easily. They make wonderful pets and great animal projects for young children in 4H or FFA. Breeders of other types of goats find their Dwarfs blend in with the rest of their herd and do not need special quarters; just adequate fencing to contain them because of their small size. Many Nigerian Dwarf goats share pastures peacefully with other livestock such as cattle, horses, llamas and donkeys. 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.

Accommodations

Goats should be kept in clean pens free of dampness, drafts and pests like flies and rodents. They also require adequate fencing due to their small size. Nigerian Dwarf goats should not be housed in airtight buildings; they need to have ventilation for optimum health. For one to just a few goats, many owners find that an oversized dog house or two does the job. Pens or houses should be kept clean with fresh hay or straw for bedding. Many owners find that providing a few "toys" for the goats provides them with hours of caprine entertainment. Tree stumps, rocks or large cable spools are great for "king of the mountain" games and jumping. Just be sure to keep them away from the fence to avoid giving herd escape artists means to roam your neighborhood!

Breeding Nigerian Dwarf Goats

Dwarf goats breed year round. Many owners breed their does three times in two years, giving the doe at least a 6-month break. Of course, this is a personal choice for each breeders. The gestation period for a doe is 145 to 153 days. For the most part, Nigerian Dwarfs are a hearty breed with few kidding problems. New babies average about 2 pounds at birth but grow quickly. Watch out for those little bucks! Bucklings can be fertile at as young as 7 weeks of age. Make sure you wean does and bucks separately to help you avoid unintentional breeding.

Does can be bred at 7-8 months of age if they have reached a mature size. Some breeders prefer to wait until they are at least 1 year or older. Dwarfs does can have several kids at a time, 3 and 4 being common with some quintuplet births occurring. Dwarfs are generally good mothers able to take care of their babies should you leave them to do the raising of the kids. They can also provide a surprising amount of milk for their size if you decide you want your own delicious goat milk or cheese.