Nigerians or Nubians

Shygal · #21 07/21/12, 01:28 AM

Everyone complains about not getting a bucket under the mini breeds or the nigerians.

I dont know why if you had a wooden milk stand for milking them, you couldnt cut a circle out where the milk pail goes, and make a lowered area there to set the milk pail in? that way it wouldnt be right up in their udder, you would have space under them, etc.

The only issue I could see would be getting them off the stand with the bucket in there, but you could pick them up I suppose . Ill think of something

I would like to have them one day

The Tinker · #22 07/21/12, 05:18 AM

Personally, I really love the Nigerians. Yes, they do sometimes cop a bit of an attitude, but the average doe weighing about 40lbs, so muscling them around isn't so bad. A goat you can control is good. Ours produce about a quart a day, which I'm led to understand is about average. As to them being fussy, it happens. We had to train our main dam to allow us to milk, which can be a deal breaker for some folks. Now that she understands our relationship, she cooperates pretty well.

There is a lot more butterfat in Nigerian milk. Alpines have a lot as well. When we started to branch out, we went with the Alpine breed because I couldn't stand to go low fat. We (the DW) make cheese, cajeta, soap, and use the milk for everyday use. There are about 5 gallons in the freezer, about a gallon fresh in the fridge, and we use it every day. Our family is mostly grown (two sons, 20 and 17), so our personal milk usage has dropped off a bit.

Someone said early in the thread to go try to milk one of the does. I totally agree with that. My hands are a bit small for a man (between a medium and small Mechanix glove or a #10 chemical glove) and I have no problem with our two older girls. Both of our first fresheners are a bit tedious for me to milk, since their teats are on the smallish side.

So... those are the positives and negatives to Nigerians. In my mind, they are the perfect starter goat. If something happens to one (hurt/sick) you can bring her inside and put her in a box or pet carrier with some bedding, they're light enough to handle if necessary (Even our big buck only weighs about 75lbs), have good production and wonderful milk.

andabigmac · #23 07/21/12, 07:55 AM

Just get one of each

You need to have more than one anyways. Problem solved.

mrs.H · #24 07/21/12, 09:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by andabigmac

Just get one of each

You need to have more than one anyways. Problem solved.

This is a brilliant solution!

JBarGFarmKeeper · #25 07/21/12, 11:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Shygal

Everyone complains about not getting a bucket under the mini breeds or the nigerians.

I dont know why if you had a wooden milk stand for milking them, you couldnt cut a circle out where the milk pail goes, and make a lowered area there to set the milk pail in? that way it wouldnt be right up in their udder, you would have space under them, etc.

The only issue I could see would be getting them off the stand with the bucket in there, but you could pick them up I suppose . Ill think of something

I would like to have them one day

That's a great idea! I have a DS14 that I may make that a project for. And to solve your problem...put a lid on the bucket.

I am going to take pictures of the teats of my NDs. You all need to see some with teats. We are on test and I think 9 my NDs starred in ADGA last year. I love my NDs. And I have Nubians and LaManchas too. If I had a breed that would go...it would be Nubians.

Pony · #26 07/21/12, 12:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JBarGFarmKeeper

If I had a breed that would go...it would be Nubians.

Really? Cool. Send them my way.

JBarGFarmKeeper · #27 07/21/12, 08:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Shygal

Everyone complains about not getting a bucket under the mini breeds or the nigerians.

I dont know why if you had a wooden milk stand for milking them, you couldnt cut a circle out where the milk pail goes, and make a lowered area there to set the milk pail in? that way it wouldnt be right up in their udder, you would have space under them, etc.

The only issue I could see would be getting them off the stand with the bucket in there, but you could pick them up I suppose . Ill think of something

I would like to have them one day

That's a great idea! I have a DS14 that I may make that a project for. And to solve your problem...put a lid on the bucket.

I am going to take pictures of the teats of my NDs. You all need to see some with teats. We are on test and I think 9 my NDs starred in ADGA last year. I love my NDs. And I have Nubians and LaManchas too. If I had a breed that would go...it would be Nubians.

JBarGFarmKeeper · #28 07/23/12, 01:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pony

Really? Cool. Send them my way.

Pony, just to clarify. I LOVE to LOOK at Nubians. That's why they are still here (and they are the DS6 breed of choice). But I find them "harder" to deal with. They seem less hardy, more susceptible to parasites, and they milk "shorter". There is a breeder here that openly told me that she doesn't "want milk" she only breeds to show. Ugh. So I think that Nubians have been dealt a bad hand. I am on DHI and I want animals that will milk-through if I want them to.

I think they are BEAUTIFUL, REGAL, AND GRACEFUL. Just saying...

julieq · #29 07/23/12, 04:43 PM

We've raised both and only gave up the Nubians because the ND's were easier for us to handle. We miss the increased milk supply though. And we do own some ND's who are just about as loud mouthed as our Nubians were.

I agree with others here, that you should go visit some reputable breeders in your area, milk a few goats and see which breed you fall in love with. You might find you like a different breed entirely.

Alice In TX/MO · #30 07/23/12, 05:42 PM

If you get the Nigerian Dwarf goats, be VERY picky about teat size and milkability. That's the solution.

JBarGFarmKeeper · #31 07/23/12, 07:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Alice In TX/MO

If you get the Nigerian Dwarf goats, be VERY picky about teat size and milkability. That's the solution.

I have 2 ND does right now that have been in milk since March of 2011 and are giving over 1.5# a day still. My girls have nice teats AND ORFICES which is far more important.

Just for the record, I LOVE LaManchas too. I just love my goats!

Go visit goats, you'll love them. And when you do get yours, remember, they are a WHOLE LOT like children. They will do EXACTLY what they think they can get away with. Make them "toe the line". And when they do, give them a treat!

Pony · #32 07/23/12, 08:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JBarGFarmKeeper

Pony, just to clarify. I LOVE to LOOK at Nubians. That's why they are still here (and they are the DS6 breed of choice). But I find them "harder" to deal with. They seem less hardy, more susceptible to parasites, and they milk "shorter". There is a breeder here that openly told me that she doesn't "want milk" she only breeds to show. Ugh. So I think that Nubians have been dealt a bad hand. I am on DHI and I want animals that will milk-through if I want them to.

I think they are BEAUTIFUL, REGAL, AND GRACEFUL. Just saying...

I find Nubians charming, and hardly what I'd call high-maintenance. My gals always give good quantities of milk, and some of the progeny I've sold are winning awards for production.

Sad that people are using them for show animals. That happens with some dog breeds, too.

Me, I'm looking for sturdy animals who are good producers.

Big ears don't hurt.