Musing About Goats....

[CaliannG]

.... and goat breeds. My *entire* family is doing this musing. My *mother* went so far as to get involved with the musing, and during which, she admitted that she likes goats.

At any rate, here is the scenario:

You have the opportunity to get 4 top-of-the-line, bloodlines to DIE for, does with the standing graceful concession of being able to breed your does to the seller's bucks, YOUR choice of which buck (and they are all to drool over), for free for the next two years.

This miracle person has TWO breeds....and they have spent years making sure their stock is comprised of the BEST....and have AMAZING management and breeding practices. There is NOTHING for you to complain about on their farm.

All of their goats come with FULL paperwork, FULL testing, and everyone is wonderfully healthy.

Which breed do you choose:

1. Nubian
2. Alpine

Tell me WHY.

[jill.costello]

why? Because I have Alpines, that's why! <grin> Also, in my limited experience, my Alpines seem quieter than Nubians....(not that mine are quiet, just that the friends I visit with Nubians seem to have a full chorus going full-time...)

[Whisperwindkat]

I simply love my prima donnas so I have to go with Nubians. I love their regal attitude and the goofy way they look running across the pasture with their ears flopping in the breeze. I also love their rich creamy milk. Blessings, Kat

[Minelson]

I've read how noisy the Nubians can be so I voted Alpine.

[Natural Beauty Farm]

Unless its dinner time, nobody knows I have Nubians.

[CaliannG]

~chuckles~ We have been going through pictures all day....I have been noticing that when it comes to looks, Nubians are cuter, and Alpines are more elegant.

DH agrees with that assessment....however, the rest of the family, DM, DD, cousin, etc, have other, VERY personal opinions.

Which is why I put up this poll. You just MIGHT be choosing which way our breeding program goes this spring......

[Oat Bucket Farm]

I love my Manchas best, but if I had to choose between those two breeds I would probably go with Nubian for the highr butterfat in the milk.

[Otter]

I am stunned and flabbergasted that no one has said "two of each" yet.

[Alice In TX/MO]

I've had ONE Nubian, and that was more than enough.

[Backfourty,MI.]

I voted for Nubians. I too love their long ears & the way they look so cute running around with their ears flopping around & just so darned cute!

We got our first nubian this summer & she's not noisy at all. Actually she is one of the quietest goats we have.

[CaliannG]

Originally Posted by Otter

I am stunned and flabbergasted that no one has said "two of each" yet.

Nope, nope, nope! ~smiles~ No cheating...you are being offered the starter breeding stock for ONE breed only, and the seller knows your facilities aren't state-of-the-art and doesn't want you "accidentally" mixing breeds next year after the bucklings and doelings are born...

So you can ONLY pick one.

(I had been waiting for SOMEONE to say that. Notice there are only two choices in the poll?)

[mygoat]

Alpine. I just love their looks. Nubians are nice enough, too, just not my thing. I always giggle at my friend's nubians, because one of her does with more airplane ears always has her ears poking her own eyes, hehe.

I like the idea that alpines born in winter are less likely to get frostbitten ears than nubians.

I like that alpines are quieter.

I like that alpines are GENERALLY higher producers.

I love thier gracefullness, generally great conformation/dairy character, and colors! My favorite is a cou blanc, though they're all pretty.

Also, alpines seem to be a less 'needy' breed. Nubians tend to be goats that NEED attention NOW - or they holler till they get it.

[motdaugrnds]

ROFL that is an easy one for me!

My herd buck is a buck to drool over; as are my 3 does! I would not go outside my own herd to make my "Nubian" choice.

[Rockytopsis]

I have Alpines and Nubians and love them both, so why not get 2 of each?

[GeorgiaGirl]

I am a dachshund lover (long ears) so.................naturally I love Nubians! My girls are rather quiet unless something is bothering them. They also have higher butter fat. I also have Saanens and like them just as well. They are definitely quiet even if something is bothering them NUBIANS my favorite.

[Blue Oak Ranch]

Nubian! When I first got into goats, I didn't care for the roman nose and ears. But they definitely grew on me, I love their regal-yet-puppydog looks.

Mine were always quiet, unless something bothered them. But a whole herd of Nubians was less troublesome than the lone Alpine in with them.

I love the Nubian milk, sweet, very rich and creamy. I didn't care for the slightly gamy flavor of the Alpine's milk. It wasn't much - just a hint - but I'm very sensitive to it. To me, it tastes like licking a buck in rut. Ew. Gives me the mental shivers.

I don't have full-size girls any more - just the Mini Nubians. Love them!

Cheers!

Katherine

[dosthouhavemilk]

Nubian.
My experience with Alpines is having does that beat on each other for the most part. While I have had and enjoyed Alpines and the doe I learned to milk on was a beautiful Alpine, I prefer Nubians in the end. They also sell better around here.
Mostly, if I could get my fingers on a quality Purebred Nubian doe I would jump at the chance....even better if she were bred. My poor Polled Nubian buck will likely have to be sold next year just so the Polled genes goes into a herd of Purebred does where it can be utilized. I am not doing a very good job here with the lone Purebred doe I finally got my grips on this past year.

[Oat Bucket Farm]

Or skip both of them and go with Manchas which are the best. Plenty of butterfat, calm and sweet and long lactations with plenty of milk

[farmerjohn]

Disguise the Alpines to look like Nubians and take the whole lot!
Tough choice as I have both plus the ND and LaManchas.
Could only get one breed ?
I would go with the Nubians. Yea-they are noisier but gotta love the milk.
But the Alpines do look good in the Nubian psuedo ears. hehe

[CaliannG]

Wow, the poll is pretty close! Nubians pretty much stay in the lead, but Alpines are only a couple of votes behind.

From my research: Nubians have a bit higher butterfat, but Alpines produce a bit more on average. So that kind of evens out.

We've gone through all of the *practical* points. LOL Our findings are that, for our *practical* purposes, Nubians and Alpines are equal.

So, it is coming down to looks and temperament. The household is divided on the looks part.

Nubian owners, what do you LIKE about average Nubian personality? Alpine owners, what do you LIKE about average Alpine personality?