Nigerian Dwarf Questions

[jimandpj]

I'm thinking about getting a Nigerian Dwarf buck. For those of you have used ND bucks on full size dairy does, does he need assistance? Or will he be able to get the job done all by himself?

Also, most information says that a ND doe can give up to two quarts a day - is that at her peak? While nursing kids? After weaning? Any idea?

I currently have full sized dairy does. I'm thinking a ND buck might work well for us as I have lots of small children. I was also thinking about getting 1 or 2 ND does to provide milk throughout the winter since I can't get my full sized girls to give me kids earlier than Februrary.

Thanks,
PJ

[pookshollow]

I used a Nigerian buck on a Saanen doeling last year - he needed a little help, just a low step to get him up to her level. My main reason was because I couldn't get hold of the breeder with the Saanen buck, and she was in heat right then, and it was getting late in the season. I think I will breed her doeling to another Nigerian buck that I have, who is supposed to be from milking bloodlines - she should turn out a nice little milker.

I haven't actually milked any Nigies - so far, all the ones I've had kid, were not the tamest, and it wasn't worth the hassle, with the big girls quite willing. So, I can't answer your second question.

[jordan]

Can't answer the first question since I don't have any big goats.
I pull my kids at birth and milk the ND does 2x's a day. They can and do produce 2 qts plus a day depending on bloodlines, diet, etc. Some bloodlines have better capacity than others.
I milked a few for 5 months and they stayed very consistant at 2 - 2 1/2 qts a day. Senior does after numerous freshenings will almost always produce more than a FF (though I have a FF that was one of my top producers this year).

I say it often and I will say it again, buy wisely when it comes to a buck! Buy cheap, get cheap. Look at the udders in his background, his dam, grandams on both sides (as far back as you can go), look for attachments, capacity, medial, if the udders held up over the years, look at conformation. I can't stress it enough, no matter if you are looking for a family milker, a show goat or a pet, a good buck will take you far and a mediocre buck will set you back years.
There are way too many ND bucks being sold as herdsires that should never, ever be used as such!

[moonspinner]

Amen to the above, Jordan! Bucks are way more important in the big picture than does. Always invest in the best herdsire you can afford. Follow the lead of the responsible top breeders who only leave a very few top of the line buck kids intact. For the betterment of your herd and the breed overall, keep only the best in the genepool.

[jimandpj]

Thanks so much for the replies - I'm going to check him out today

PJ

[hoofinitnorth]

No experience breeding dwarf goats to full-sized goats. I have heard some can manage and others need a little help. Depends on the doe as much as the buck.

On milk production, some bloodlines produce several pounds per day. The Silveraurora lines (which of course have prominent names behind their pedigrees) have been known to do 4 to 6 pounds. Silveraurora also tied one year for most milk in 1 day at 6.8 pounds! Of course that was not a first freshener.

The other thing to consider is your membership and participation in ADGA. There are rules about breeding (or rather NOT) NDs to full-sized goats. My understanding is that the resulting kids cannot be registered. Be sure you are thinking of the end game for those kids (where they will go when they are weaned). If you aren't going to keep them and all their offspring, you'll want to be sure they have a place to go that sits well with you (even if that includes the freezer).

Good luck!

[chma4]

My 5 month old ND buck bred 10 full sized adult Alpine does, and NO we did not help!

[moonspinner]

Yes, ADGA doesn't allow registration of mini-crosses, although MDGA does.