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Mini Nubians
Back2Basics Farm
Treasure State Montana Raised Mini Nubains
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What is a Miniature Nubian Dairy Goat?
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The Miniature Nubian Dairy Goat is the result of a cross between a Nigerian Dwarf buck and a Nubian doe. The goats maintain the looks, high percentage butterfat content, and mild-flavored milk of the Nubian in combination with the smaller size of the Nigerian.
What is a Miniature Dairy Goat?
A miniature dairy goat is the product of a standard-sized purebred/American goat bred to a Nigerian Dwarf for the first generation of mini dairy goats. Only documented animals with traceable registrations can be used to produce a mini goat. Nigerian Dwarfs must be purebred registered with one of the ND registries.
Why Miniature Dairy Goats?
Some people with small acreage are looking for smaller milk-producing animals for a family milk supply. Miniature dairy goats are now being allowed in some of the large cities across the country.
Standard dairy goat breeds have been pushing for greater stature for the show ring which has resulted in all of the standard dairy goat breeds getting larger in recent years. Smaller goats are easier for children, seniors and the handicapped to handle. Their smaller size makes them a lot easier to handle than their larger relatives, so hoof trimming, clipping, showing and milking become much easier.
Feed costs are rising and a mini dairy goat can often produce 2/3 the amount of a standard dairy goat while often consuming 1/2 as much feed. Smaller goats are in demand for the pet market. The influence of Nigerian Dwarf blood may serve to expand the breeding season past the fall months and increase the butterfat in the milk.
Miniature dairy goats have been reported to produce anywhere from 2 lbs. a day (1 quart) to 10 lbs. a day (one and a quarter gallon) with the average around 5-6 lbs. (3 quarts) of milk daily. Genetics and management will play an important part in milk production.
What do the Fs mean for Miniature Dairy Goats?
Understanding Generations: A first-generation (F1) is when one of the parents is a Nigerian Dwarf (ND) or a Standard sized doe (one of the recognized dairy breeds). Usually, the first cross is an ND buck x Standard doe rather than the other way around. Then if you breed an F1 to another F1 you have a second-generation (F2). F2xF2 = F3 and so on. The generation of the kid is always one generation higher than the lowest generation parent with the foundation animals (ND or Standard breed) being considered 0 generations. So, if you breed an F3 to an F1 it is an F2. Even if you breed an F6 to an F1 you would only have an F2.
