Mini Breeds

[Kye022984]

I have a question about the mini breeds. First of all, I like the idea of the mini breeds because we only have a 1/4 of an acre and are looking for a couple does for home milkers. I am wondering though, if we purchased some of the mini breeds if they would have the vocal characteristics of the Nigerian breed. We had one Nigerian who hollered all day when I left her eye sight. What about the milk production? Will they produce like a standard sized goat or like the Nigerian amounts? Will they have the high butterfat content like the Nigerian or the lower like the standard size (if it's a LaMancha or an Ober)? Anyway, lots of questions coming out my ears but, I would love to hear about your experiences if you've had any with a mini-breed. Thanks.

[rootsandwings]

I think it's an individual thing.

We're expecting our first mini-nubian babies (and so our first mini-nubian milk) in a few weeks, but our 2 y.o. 1st gen doe is pretty quiet. She was raised with and by full sized nubians and is a little frisky - I think due to having to hold her own. She only yells at my daughter if she sees her at feeding time and her voice is higher pitched and softer than her nubian mama's. the 2nd gen yearling buck, otoh, calls to everyone he sees and has a variety of vocal sounds. He's also friendly to the point of annoying (although he doesn't jump, climb, or push over people) and the 1st gen yearling doe almost never makes any noise at all and is sweet and friendly.

[Laverne]

my mini mancha is just as quiet as her full size Lamancha relatives. Which is pretty quiet.

[Alice In TX/MO]

My Mini-Lamancha produces about 1/2 gallon per day.

She is not noisy.

When you start shopping for your goats, there are two VERY IMPORTANT THINGS!

1. Disease free. Tested for CAE at least, and no CL abscesses in the herd.
2. Milkable teats. My Mini-Lamancha has small teats. It's a pain (literally) to milk her. There are better teats out there. Shop for them.

[nehimama]

I'm milking two mini Alpines, and each gives 1/2 gallon a day. Two Kinders, one giving 1/2 gallon a day, and the other 1 qt a day - and these are full siblings! They are all fairly quiet, unless they see me outside, and demand that it's feeding / milking time. All four girls have lovely milk, with a good butterfat content. I'm very happy with them.

[thaiblue12]

My mini Nubians are quiet. My Nubians are moaners and some are whiners lol. Only have two loud Nigies, mother and daughter who yell when it is feeding time. Was your Nigie a lone goat or a bottle baby who had no friends in your herd?

[petaddict]

My Nigerian Dwarf doe is the quietest of all my goats. My 2 mini lamanchas are the noisiest of them all. I think it's an individual thing.

[Wags]

I agree that the amount of noise a Niggie makes is a very individual thing. My ND's are quiet, and all of the does in my herd (other than the FF) peak in the 4-5lb (1/2 gallon) range with very milkable teats. I know I am not the only breeder that selects for those traits, but you do have to do your research before purchasing.

[Kye022984]

Originally Posted by thaiblue12

My mini Nubians are quiet. My Nubians are moaners and some are whiners lol. Only have two loud Nigies, mother and daughter who yell when it is feeding time. Was your Nigie a lone goat or a bottle baby who had no friends in your herd?

I think she was a bottle baby but was not alone at all. I literally could show my face in the window and she would quiet down. Just went and looked at a Saneen/Nubien cross who was super quiet and such a doll! I also looked at a Nigerian/LaMancha who is 75% Nigerian and 25% LaMancha. She was also super sweet and had a laid back personality. The other breeders I talked to in my local area swear that the breeder I bought the loud one from sold her because she was loud. It was a deal went sour any how in the whole story but, turns out she doesn't have the best reputation amongst the other breeders here. Took note. Lesson learned. Never buy from the first breeder you talk to until you have talk to many