x 4in. Fencing: 4ft. And they are just fun to be around! This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. What does goat milk taste like? We talk about why they chose Nigerian dwarf goats for their business, even though they are the smallest breed of dairy goat and often overlooked by those who are serious about milk production. Goats produce about 2% of the world’s total annual milk supply. The iodine is there to treat the umbilical wound on the kid and keep it from getting infected. The gloves and towels are there for obvious reasons. Your Name. She would only eat if I was standing out in the field with her. In order to make babies you will need a buck. We showed our Nigerian dwarf goats from 2004 to 2008, and we were on DHI 305-day milk testing for 2006 to 2008. 2. Better Hens and Gardens may earn a commission for purchases made after clicking on links on this page. Use a clean jar and milk each side of the goat. Worst-case scenario is that they stay long enough to make even more babies! Required fields are marked *. But, since goats mostly just eat grass/vines/etc., it’s not a great cost to keep the does around until we get the price we want. Learn More → I’LL SAY THIS AGAIN IN ALL CAPS: DON’T GET CROSS-BRED GOATS FOR BREEDING. A mature and well bred doe can produce a half gallon of milk a day. When you sell females, good udders mean good profits. It isn’t hard to find buyers. Yes, milk production alone is enough to make a Nigerian dwarf goat an asset to a property. I consent to Homestead.org collecting and storing the data I submit in this form. You are selling a STORY. They are easy to make and fairly self-explanatory. Sanitize the teats and bottom of udders with warm soapy water or a sanitizer diluted in water (like StarSan). Do not try to pull on the after-birth or do anything more than is absolutely necessary to help the birthing process. We do not guarantee any milk production or show career on any animals sold. Suffice it to say, a kid should come out with it’s front feet and face emerging AT THE SAME TIME. In other words, paying an extra $100 up front is better than spending lots of food, medicine, and time on a goat that under-performs in the long run. The Nigerian Dwarf goat milk benefit is that it is higher in butterfat (6-10 percent) and higher in protein than milk from most dairy goat breeds. Nigerian Dwarf milk has a cream content which is 3 times higher than that of any other goat breed. The head hold in the picture is made with two pieces of wood, a screw at the bottom of one piece that allows it to pivot, and a screen door latch on top to hold it shut. All Notify me by email when the comment gets approved. Notify me of followup comments via e-mail. Nigerian Dwarf goats’ milk has the highest levels of butterfat which makes it the sweetest, richest milk of all the dairy goat breeds. If I just buy 2 nigerian dwarf does is it usually easy to find someone to breed with their buck and does it cost much? The first time you drink it it will taste “funny” because your brain is telling you that it’s “farmy.”  That quickly passes and it tastes just like cow milk, only creamier because the fat is still in it. Between about 1930 and 1960 a variety of small goats of the West African Dwarf group of breeds were imported from Africa to the United States to be exhibited in zoos. You will separate the babies from mom at night and then let her udder fill up all night. Fresh smells better even though it is “farmy.”. We also raise several breeds of rabbits for show and focus on breeding to the ARBA standard of perfection, we attend local shows and are currently working to constantly improve our herd. For us, the process of milking takes about 20 minutes per session per goat, or 40 minutes per day per goat. This article is not designed to do so. Learn how your comment data is processed. You want a goat with great udders. ***Once goats leave the care of N GoatFarm we will at that point, not have any control over its wellbeing, health, or treatment, so after it leaves N GoatFarm, it is the responsibility of the buyer to keep the goats healthy and taken care of. It’s a win-win scenario. Some people also shave or trim the udders to keep hair from getting into the milk. Put goat in milking station (with some feed). You will need a head hold, or a milking station. Generally, you will let the kids nurse until weaning at about eight weeks, then you will start milking after that. The gray goat was our first purchase. ... Milking more often creates more milk production. We've selected our goats for optimum dairy production. If you want to make “registered” babies then you need a registered buck and registered does. They are hardy, gregarious, friendly and can thrive in almost any climate. If your goal is maximum fluid milk production, and you prefer the taste and texture of skim milk, then you may view the Nigerian’s high butterfat as a disadvantage. Log in. Non-Registered. But it generally results in more dead kids and possibly even a dead doe. In 2004, we attended our first goat shows, and our daughters became completely addicted — so much that they both wanted to have their very own goats. Goat milk has smaller fat particles, so it’s harder to separate into cream and milk. The Nigerian Dwarf, a miniature dairy goat breed, is widely recognized for its sweet, creamy goat milk. I don’t think a homestead can be called complete without at least two goats on it. Nigerian Dwarf Goats. Choosing Nigerian Dwarf Does - Hand or Machine Milking? Alpine, American LaMancha, Oberhasli, Nigerian Dwarf, Nubian, Saanen, Sable, and Toggenburg are the primary dairy breeds available in the US. One could go to people who have booths at local antique-shops and see if they have a shelf to rent, or would engage in some sort of profit-sharing arrangement. Since a goat is worth about $200, that’s a $400 profit just from helping out with the birthing process. Milking more often creates more milk production. It looks like a kid trying to nurse on the barn wall or getting stuck in a corner unsure where to go. It may seem obvious, but not everyone knows that in order to milk a goat she first must have recently had a baby. We have made both mozzarella and feta type cheese from our goat milk. That’s where most males are destined to end up. Bramblestone Farm Nigerian Dwarf Goats Earn Milk Production Stars! Clean the kid’s nose and mouth to make sure it is breathing, but otherwise leave it alone. (Privacy Policy) *. If you have a milk allergy (like I do), then goat milk will not cause gastric distress. Taste of Nigerian dwarf goats milk. Welcome to Willow Pond Farm Nigerian Dwarf Dairy Goats! Nigerian Dwarf Goat Raising For Beginners. Don’t worry, it’s easy to spot. high goat fence or higher with 4in. Nigerian dwarf milk goats are powerhouses when it comes to mini-milk production. Little RedHouse is a small family run farm raising friendly quality Nigerian Dwarf goats in Snohomish, WA for pets, milk and show. Generally you will want to milk your goats twice each day. Look for healthy, clear eyes, good structure and plenty of junk in his trunk. As an Amazon Associate, Homestead.org earns from qualifying purchases. National champions, Sales list available of goats for sale, Colorado, Nebraska, Kansas area Nigerian Dwarf goats - Sunny Meadow . Online places like Etsy may work as well. The proper goat birth posture is with it’s face resting on it’s front feet. Won’t your hands feel softer because of it? We sell females when they are ready to be bred, or we sell them as bred does. Pedigrees emphasize high performance in milking, linear appraisals, and shows. In the picture, you can see that the tan goat’s got it goin’ on, and she knows it. It is also possible to hand-rear the kids on artificial formula and milk the doe from the time she gives birth. A quart mason jar is better than a metal bucket for milking goats, in my opinion. Don’t buy a goat who has diarrhea, isn’t energetic, or otherwise makes you uncertain. Nigerian Dwarf Dairy 2450 Pond Town Rd., Brunson, SC 29911 (803) 942-2606 terri@jandjcarolinakidz.com The fat stays in the milk, making the milk taste richer than cow milk. Nigerian Dwarf Goats: Complete Your Homestead with Milk Goats. Nigerian dwarf milk-goats are small, friendly, and cute. I recommend against getting any sort of cross-bred goats. Previously known as Forest Hill Dairy Goats - due to herd name inconsistency between dairy goat associations we’ve had to settle on a new name and I couldn’t be happier with the change :) However, many people (like myself), who thought they had lactose intolerance, actually have a milk allergy. We chose milk goats, but we didn’t choose Nubians. Because when they start having kids, and you want/need to help the birth, they have to trust you. Just let the kids nurse for the first few days in order to get antibodies from their mother. You will need to research how to deal with goat birthing issues. Tag: Nigerian Dwarf Goat Milk Production. You can also make soaps and lotions from goat milk. They don’t produce as much milk per day as Nubians, but we don’t need more than one to two pints of milk per day anyway. Then she will need to be “freshened” by getting pregnant again and having babies. Their small size and manageability make them an ideal choice for our little homestead. Even the most friendly goat isn’t all that interested in standing still for twenty minutes while you milk her. However, many Nigerian Dwarf owners do not raise their goats for milk but for the pleasure and companionship these little caprines bring to their lives. Nigerian Dwarf Goat Breeder in Snohomish Also how many pregnancies can a doe have? Making babies is what makes milk. What about soap or lotions? Why do we have a goat with bad udders? When you milk a goat, good udders mean easier milking. You will need to buy at least two goats, otherwise the solo goat may not eat and will make constant noise. No matter how you do it, no homestead is complete without a couple of goats, even if they are just for taking cute photos. We aren’t in a big hurry. This article will only discuss milk goats. Like I said at the beginning of the article. Your email address will not be published. It is possible to keep a goat in milk for months. We recently began raising ADGA Nigerian Dwarf goats for milk production and kid sales. Please visit our for sale page for a current list of adults and kids that may be available. Nigerian Dwarf Goats 201: Getting Started, Nigerian Dwarf Goats 101: Background & Basics, http://www.livescience.com/52540-goat-facts.html, http://www.betterhensandgardens.com/bramblestone-farm-2012-kidding-schedule/, http://www.betterhensandgardens.com/choosing-nigerian-dwarf-does-hand-or-machine-milking/, http://www.betterhensandgardens.com/product/nigerian-dwarf-goats-101-background-basics/, http://hoeggerfarmyard.com/xcart/Goat-Hobble.html. I have never done it myself, however. Their calm, gentle and playful nature makes them good companion pets for the disabled and children including elderly people. Cover the jars to bring into the house then STRAIN out any hair or other debris. Repeat the same steps with each side. dhir breed averages – 2019 lactations does 275-305 days in milk n= avg. You will get more milk overall by milking twice each day than you would by only milking once each day. Each year, we do either a 305-day milk production test or a one-day milk production test to see if the Bramblestone Farm Nigerian Dwarf does (that don’t yet have milking star designations) can earn their milking stars with the American Dairy Goat Association (ADGA) and the American Goat Society (AGS). Don't subscribe Trust the system and keep your herd pure to the breed. We are proud ADGA Plus members, our does are on Standard 20 milk test year round. Generally, you won’t have enough product to justify a booth of your own, but if you can sublet a shelf, then it will be a profitable undertaking. Why? We made the mistake of only getting one goat to start. What does this look like? They exist, and people may claim that they are just as good or even better. Repeat those steps over and over again until the udder is empty. Just know that Nubians are a bit larger than Nigerians and they can provide twice as much milk (or more) per goat. The Economics of Being a Cheap-o: How to Retire Without a Huge Pension and Enjoy It. Goats also play an important role in the farm ecosystem, as they prefer to eat brush and many weeds that other grazing animals avoid. If you buy a goat for milking, she should be pregnant, recently have given birth, or you will need a buck to impregnate her for future milk-production. Occasionally we have does in milk, pet wethers, and … IMPORTANT:  If you are going to have baby goats, then it’s very useful to make your goats very FRIENDLY and TRUSTING of humans. If you want meat goats then you would buy Boer’s, most likely. You don’t need to buy one. You can do the math. Having assistance can mean the difference between one live kid and three live kids. What does that mean? No, they aren’t. Thanks for this article. age at start of lactation milk lbs range b-fat % / lbs protein % / lbs ecm*lbs alpine 571 3y6m 2715 750-5720 3.3 / 89 2.9 / 78 2602 lamancha 409 3y5m 2298 830-4120 3.7 / 85 3.2 / 72 2371 nigerian dwarf 545 3y6m 795 […] Running with a kid hanging out of the back of a doe is not good for either party. Because goats can provide milk, meat, and money, three essentials for self-sufficiency. All the action is in the udders. Our homestead is currently populated by seven Nigerian milk-goats. A great way to have fun while making profit is to make new baby goats. If the kid can’t find the teat in a reasonable amount of time, then help it. The floss is there to assist in birthing in complicated births. We are a Nigerian Dwarf Goat Farm that breeds for Show and Milk production. They don’t produce as much milk per day as Nubians, but we don’t need more than one to two pints of milk per day anyway. The difference between making goat cheese and goat milk soap is the FDA. A goat that consistently has triplets can make a thousand dollars more in profits (over her lifetime) than a goat that only has twins. Your Email I agree to receive this newsletter and know that I can easily unsubscribe at any time. They will be following mom around within hours of birth, and by day two they will seem like they’ve aged a month. They are amazing milk producers, can be bred at any time of the year, are small, and easy to handle. American Dairy Goat Association and American Goat Society registered Nigerian Dwarf Goats bred for top milk production, dairy characteristics, and conformation. Goats are social animals; never try to keep just one goat. We chose Nigerian dwarf milk-goats. If you are doing this on dirt, or rocks, or in your backyard, time means feed. The exact process for milking is as follows: 1. World’s Easiest Microwave Fudge (Goat or Cow Milk) ». That’s it! 1. Baby goats are just like any other type of baby, they are fun to watch! Make sure they trust and like you. Generally, we will take the males to the local “sale barn” where they are auctioned off. Since then, these little goats have been used as both milk production and companionship animals. Breeds to Consider. It hangs down farther than a does’ udders. Subscribe to Get Post in E-mail. Your email address will not be published. Milk production depends on genetics, how many times the goat … My wife wears latex gloves when milking in order to keep her hands from smelling like goat. Refrigerate, and drink or use to make other products like cheese or soap. Nigerian Dwarf Goats are the ideal small sized, super friendly and easy to handle dairy goat perfect for homesteading, they produce amazing milk, cheese, yogurt,& soap. They are the most popular meat-goat. It is possible to just let the doe have her kids “au naturale” without any assistance. It can have a slight “earthy” smell depending on how well you clean the teats. Reddy-September 13, 2017. I’m a big fan of goat milk because it doesn’t affect me like cow milk does. Feed them by hand often. Even though we sell “dwarf” goats there is a market of people who will raise them to eat. Her udders almost drag on the ground; they have actually been cut and scraped when she climbs over things. All of our ND goats are disease-free and dual-registered with ADGA and AGS. This article will explain why we chose Nigerian milk-goats, basics of care and breeding, and different ideas on how to turn goats into profits. Goat milk can be sold (depending on local, state, and national laws) or can be made into products. The idea of selling these things at the flea market may seem like a good idea, but flea markets cost money and will eat up your entire weekend. You can even go back to side one after milking side two to get a little more milk. Our family raises registered Nigerian Dwarf Goats with a focus on milk production and conformation. Its production ranges from 0.5-4 kg of milk per day (one quart of milk weighs roughly 2 pounds), with an average doe producing about 2.5 pounds of milk per day. Milk-goats are there to make milk, so the most important section of your new milk-goat is the “trunk.”  How much junk can your goat keep in her trunk? The Nigerian Dwarf does give a surprising quantity of milk for its size. If you just want to make great goats of the same breed then make sure you get goats that look like good examples of the breed. We are members of ADGA and currently participate in DHIR. We specialize in raising quality registered Nigerian Dwarf dairy goats with an emphasis on heavy milk production, correct confirmation, and extra friendly dispositions. 4. 5. “This lotion was hand-made in God’s country on a sepia-toned farm using traditional methods on a red-checker-covered farm table while a rooster crowed in the background and happy goats grazed on the hillside. The white one was born first, which is why it’s cleaner. You will be amazed at how fast these goats get moving around. The doe will lick it clean. Anything other than that requires intervention to re-position the kid. Future plans include offering a variety of goat milk soaps and cheese for … Our main focus as a farm is using sustainable, holistic management for our herd. Many homesteaders actually prefer the milk of Nigerian dwarfs when making organic goat soap or cheese to sell. Be careful to not let the goat kick over, or put her dirty foot in, the milk receptacle. Goat milk naturally has small, well-emulsified fat globules, which means the cream remains suspended in the milk, instead of rising to the top, as in raw cow milk; therefore, it does not need to be homogenized. The lower the price the faster they sell. My first milking station was made from a wooden pallet and a 2×4. Located in Western New York,GardenViewFarm breeding high quality ADGA registered Nigerian Dwarf and MGR registered Myotonic Goats for show and production!! Goats can be eaten, milked, or sold (to be eaten or milked). If you have a market, they are very profitable. Among the dairy breeds, Nigerian Dwarf goat milk has the highest levels of butterfat, making it so creamy that it’s often preferred over cow’s milk. So, if you need goats for milk production and excellence and volume is your goal, then you have to stock your herd with dairy breeds. Contrary to popular belief, goat milk has the same affect on people with lactose intolerance as cow’s milk. 2. Nigerian Dwarf goats really are the complete package. We breed and sell the highest quality Nigerian dwarf goats for sale who have been selected to have outstanding milk production and correct conformation. A bad goat will take just as much feed and space as a good goat. Firm, strong, balanced udders with good teat development will make for a great milk-goat. The Nigerian dwarf goats can serve dual purpose – pets and milk production. You can also subscribe without commenting. Nigerian Dwarf Goat Milk Tastes Better. You can make cheese out of goat milk. Occasionally, I will massage the udder to get more milk to drop. of the fence –on the bottom- toward the out side on the ground, so no dogs or coyotes can dig through. We leave the kids with their doe until weaning time, but we aren’t aiming for maximum productivity. The kids in the picture were just born minutes before. Nigerian Dwarf Dairy Goats. They do make milking machines for goats, but they are expensive. History. We participate in ADGA Linear Appraisals, milk tests (DHIR) and local shows. 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. But remember what you are selling isn’t a product. The Nigerian Dwarf goat is the smallest of the most common dairy goat breeds.The breed is not only good for milk production, but also very good for meat production purpose.It is a miniature goat breed which was originated from West Africa. A goat with great udders will make baby goats with great udders. It helps if you include a feed bucket where the goat can eat a little while you are milking her. So it’s better to find a passive way to sell your products. The information in this article will work equally for Nubian or Nigerian milk goats. None of us was ever a big fan of the LaMancha milk or any other goat milk that we tasted other than Nigerian dwarf. google-site-verification:googlec978e4f4512cblid.html The Nigerian Dwarf goat was brought to the United States in the 1950s. And even if they might be, there’s no way to know that what you’re getting is better. Along with udder development you want to find a goat with a good build, well filled out, clear eyes, healthy appearance, and “clean” pelleted poop. However, we have ten acres of pasture. It’s a trip!! There are lots of rules about making and selling cheese or milk products, but no real rules about selling soap. Picking a buck is the same as picking does. Nigerian dwarf milk-goats are small, friendly, and cute. When a Nigerian Dwarf FRESHENS, or has babies, her udder is operating a full capacity.You will start to milk your goat when the babies are two weeks old. We participate in ADGA/AGS DHIR milk testing. Another problem is Face First But No Feet; that means that the front legs are folded backwards and assistance will be needed to keep the kid from getting stuck in the birth canal (generally a gentle tug). We sell male kids at the time of weaning. If you want milk year-round you will need at least two females on rotating birthing cycles. Then we really dig into the details on building a dairy, expenses that you might not consider, budgeting, working with state inspectors, and how to move from your own kitchen to a commercial operation. Your email address will not be published. Otherwise, they will try to run away. Heaven's Hollow Dairy Goats, Oberhasli and Nigerian Dwarf Bucks, does, and kids for Milk and show. Welcome to Arenta Nigerian Dwarf Dairy Goat Farm, where we have shared our lives with these amazing little caprines since 2015. The gray goat is a great mother and a wonderful goat, but she has bad udder development. What would we do with a gallon of milk per day, every day? The most popular milk-goats are probably Nubians. One of the most common problems is Rear-First positioning; you will need to turn the kid around. Having a buck in your herd is just like having a man anywhere else… it’s a bit more trouble but you need one to get certain chores done! In this case his junk is his scrotum. To help with birthing you will need a “kit.”  The kit should include: iodine, latex gloves, towels, floss, and scissors. So consider the difference between goat milk and cow milk to be the same as the difference between fresh-picked green beans from the garden and a can of green beans. Notify me via e-mail if anyone answers my comment. We breed our line of Nigerian Dwarf goats for LegenDAIRY milk production, strong conformation, and pleasant personality. 3. Nigerian dwarfs are compact goats, but powerful milk producers. Replies to my comments Our carefully crafted recipe was formulated with a focus on fatty acid profiles, the best and most scientific way to calculate what desirable properties a soap will possess. Also, they make wonderful pets and great animal projects for young children in 4-H. squares or smaller is a good choice.Bend about 4 to 6in. Craigslist.org will do the trick. Nigerian Dwarf goats are known for their even tempers and gentle, playful personalities. Our goal is to constantly improve our herd through responsible breeding. Milking a goat is simply a matter of pinching the teat up near the udder—to trap the milk in the teat—and then squeezing down (like squeezing toothpaste from a tube) to get the milk out. Later I built an entire goat “tractor” with a milking station and a yard to hold the goats about to be milked. The scissors are used to cut the umbilical cord, if necessary (it has never been necessary for me). Otherwise she would stand at the fence and cry. Nigerian Dwarf milk has approximately 6 – 10% butterfat, as opposed to approximately 2 – 6% for other breeds. A milking stand really just needs two pieces of wood with notches cut out to go around the goat’s neck and hold her head in place. When choosing goats, you first need to decide between meat or milk goats. In this video we talk about our reason for raising Nigerian Dwarf dairy goats. It helps to remember that cow milk from the store is separated, processed, and pasteurized before packaging. We didn’t know what to look for and she was cheap: she cost $75 instead of the normal $200+ for a goat with better udders. It was well-written, informative, and enjoyable! Of course they will!”.