Nigerian Dwarf coat ?

[ailsaek]

I've been studying up on goats with ana eye starting up a small herd once we get the new place, and I've pretty much settled on Nigerian Dwarf goats as what I want, but one thing has me puzzled. All the pictures of kids I see are of very fuzzy little critters, but all the adults are practically bald. What happens to them? And how do they manage cold winters with so little fur?

Also, if I wanted to keep three or four does, a buck, and a wether (to keep the buck company, although I am also considring having the wether be a cashmere goat instead), how much space would I need? All my books say that you can pasture two goats on an acre, but I'm assuming that they're looking at fullsized goats there, and that dwarf goats need less space?

[hornless]

The adults have been clipped-it's pretty standard. They have normal coats otherwise. You could keep 6 nigerians on an acre- some don't have an acre to spare, yet their goats have room. an acre is plenty.

[Hip_Shot_Hanna]

If you are looking at pictures of show goats - you might need to know that they are clipped for showing, which would explain why the adults you see look nearly naked.

As for what I've seen so far - the ND buck we used had a HUGE heavy black coat that was very long as well. His buckling looks like he will go the same route. His mother, however, has a normal goaty coat - it's sleek, but had undercoat for winter. All of my kids are from this one buck. Even the minis - and of them, it looks like I have a mini mancha/nubian cross that has a longer coat. The nubian and alpine minis have "regular" coats.

As for pasture for goats - they will eat pasture but prefer brush and browse. I think it would depend on where you are as to how much acreage you need -for instance in Tennessee you most likely do not need as much as you would in Texas, which is a dryer state and thus the vegetation isn't as lush for as long. You "might" be able to go with three goats on an acre if you have good stuff. It also depends on what you are planning to do with them. If you plan to milk, you will likely need concentrates (grain, alfalfa pellets, beet pulp etc) when the does are heavy in pregnancy and while being milked, and when the kids are growing.

There are others on here that know a great deal more than I do about such things - I'm sure you'll get more responses

[chma4]

I have read on the AGS monthly whatever, that standard acreage for Nigies is 1goat/200sq ft. And yes, they are clipped for show.

[moonspinner]

You can pasture several ND goats on an acre easily. No doubt you're looking at shaved adults, but coat length also varies. Some adults like a few of mine look nearly clipped year round, while others grow very heavy coats. Bucks are more prone to the shaggy look.

[ailsaek]

Oh good, I was hoping that was shaving rathe rthan their hair falling out. How often are they shaved? If I go to someone's farm to take a look at their goats with an eye to buying, what are my odds of seeing said goat with their natural fur on? (I want fuzzy ones.)

Also, I said "pasture," but what I meant was "place to graze/browse with a fence around it". Both of the places we are seriously considering are mostly wooded at present and are going to take a bit of clearing.

[Idahoe]

Here's my herd sire at about age two being shown by previous owners




And here is, "fuzzy" as could be, here with me. He six years old now.

[chma4]

They prefer the rough browse. Let them do the clearing. Just do a quick look see and make sure you dont have "toxic" plants.

[ailsaek]

Originally Posted by chma4

They prefer the rough browse. Let them do the clearing. Just do a quick look see and make sure you dont have "toxic" plants.

Yup. I read that azaleas are toxic, so I plan on freecycling all the azaleas the minute we sign on the place. (I don't think any house we're looking at is azalea-free.) I have to find a good list of what else is toxic. Roses aren't, right?

[dap]

This is a great site for goat information in general, and here is a link to her list of poisonous plants for goats: http://fiascofarm.com/goats/poisonousplants.htm where are you planning to relocate?

[ailsaek]

Thanks for the list. I've bookmarked it. We're moving to northern MA or southern NH. My two favorite houses at present are in Atkinson and Derry (it's harder to find land where you're allowed to have livestock in MA).

[dap]

Originally Posted by ailsaek

Thanks for the list. I've bookmarked it. We're moving to northern MA or southern NH. My two favorite houses at present are in Atkinson and Derry (it's harder to find land where you're allowed to have livestock in MA).

Your welcome! And tell me about the land thing!!! Hubby and I are relocating to NC and discovered the same thing. But, we did find some!!!