Helping small livestock farms in the Rogue Valley since 2013

Nigerian Dwarf Goats

There are many types of goats, of course, each known for a particular strength (e.g., high producers, field pets). Though small, Nigerian Dwarfs are known for the relatively large amount of high-butterfat milk they produce--a conservative estimate would be about 1-2 quarts milk per day with a 6-9% butterfat content. (Larger, more common dairy goats produce about 2-3 quarts per day at 2-6% butterfat.) Nigerian goat milk is therefore even more tasty to the everyday person who might have said they don't like goat milk. And unlike the larger breeds, they can be bred year-round, allowing more flexibility on a busy farm.

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Because of their small size, Nigerian Dwarf goats are more affordable to keep than regular dairy goats. Please keep in mind, however, that this also means they are not prolific weed eaters. While they can definitely help keep invasive plants, undesireable weeds and dead leaves/evergeen needles to a minimum, they will not clear your space of all those things we don't like to have around. Well, unless you have a lot of them, and plenty of time to sit around and watch them chew.

And the character--oh, the character! Even if a Nigerian Dwarf goat kid isn't hand/bottle-fed, they are still naturally friendly when well cared for and looked after. Regular interaction is a must if you are looking to keep them as pets or milkers. Our Nigies are even allowed to wander by themselves during the day, because they always stay very near to their human companions guardians/leaders (us, how flattering!) AND they have a good strong dog to keep away any daytime harangers.

Like most other goats, they have a fun-seeking streak to them, which means you'll laugh at them as they jumpjumpjump down a hill or in a field or anywhere else, really. The fun-seeking trait seems to be closely linked to a certain tendency toward unbridled curiosity--don't think you can leave a single thing around without a goat immediately investigating it. For example (and this is my favorite story), they prefer my mother-in-law's garden to absolutely anything else on this rich and diverse land, and so she often has to go chasing and hollering after them, a broom in her hand and her bathrobe cinched tight!

But aside from this silliness, it's so wonderful that we're able to freely walk about with them close at our heels...