Nigerian Dwarf Milking Lines

[Jagerland Ranch]

Help please.

I am researching which breed of goats I want to raise here on our new ranch. We already have (4) healthy 6 month old Nubian/Boar crosses that are from the family ranch, 2 does and 2 wethers. But I think I want to raise Nigerian Drawf goats. We have 25 acres of goat heaven, mostly weeds, that they will be roatating after the horses and chickens.

I want the goats for the sheer pleasure of their company AND for milking and weed control. Will you guys point me in the right direction by suggesting good milking lines? I want nice healthy registered stock and I won't lie, I want pretty and colorful goats with wonderful temperments. Throw in some blue eyes and I'm Golden. That's not asking too much, is it?

Please and Thank You

[Cannon_Farms]

The breed has exploded in popularity. I can look as soon as I can find my ADGA book of who raises the best near you based on performance records. You can also find listings on the AGS website.
I recently sold out all but one of my Nigerians and If I can help in anyway I would be glad too lend you what I have learned about the breed.

[dbarjacres]

Well, lucky you being down in Texas - you're in one of the biggest Nigerian areas!

If you want real milking lines, check out the Jobi genetics, I think they are down towards the Gulf part of TX, I can't think of the owner's name nor does she have a website, but her goats are bred to MILK.

Pecan Hollow has some good milking genetics, also in Texas, you can google their website.

Twin Creeks and Lost Valley have some awesome, top show quality goats, you can google them too.

Not sure how far you are from AZ, but Desert Nanny herd is on DHIA and breeds for production too.

If you're looking at shipping in goats as you can't find any you like in TX and are concentrating on milk, look for lines of Sugar Creek, Old Mountain Farm, Rosasharn.

[saanengirl]

If you look at this page of the ADGA Genetics site, you can see the PTI/ETA for the goats. Select "Nigerian" and does from the search boxes (bucks won't work because there isn't enough data yet) and do a search. Look at the herd names brought up in the search. the PTI 2:1 gives production twice the weight of type. PTI 1:2 gives type twice the weight of production. The does in the 2:1 search will be listed in the order of the most likely to throw offspring with high production to those less likely. Those with negative scores are not included in this list. If you look at the herd names on the first page, it will give you a good idea of who is breeding for production.

[Hollowdweller]

What Saanengirl said.

Also look up the pedigree as she suggested and then click Production.

If you can find a lot of animals in the pedigree with positive PTAM's (predicted transmitting ability for milk) you have a better shot at milk.

The problem with Nigerians and a lot of the novelty breeds is that most people don't really milk them regularly so they have no idea which animals milk well. They are all about color and personality. So if you really want them to milk choose from a herd with DHIR records and positive PTA's.

But a full size dairy goat of better quality MAY actually be cheaper, easier to milk and will milk up to 3x the amount of a Nigerian. To get the same amount as that doe you would have to milk, feed, cut hooves and vaccinate 3 Nigerians. If you don't work then this is not a factor but if your time is limited it is a consideration.

[Jagerland Ranch]

Thanks for the assist everyone. I have lots of homework to do.

[LoneStrChic23]

I second the reccomendation for Jobi Dairy..... Mrs. Jelke has some of the most amazing Nigerians who can really pour it in the milk bucket....And not just production, but amazing udders with good teat placement and size for ease of milking.

If you google Jobi Dairy, it will pull up her phone number.

Flat Rock farms in Texas has Nigerians....most of hers are blue eyed, polled and splashy with decent udders.

Piddlin Acres is in Texas too.... I've seen a few of their goats in person a few years back and liked the ones I saw.

My top vote though goes hands down to Jobi Dairy.

[coso]

I would look at Agape Oaks also http://www.agapeoaks.com/ I have seen Pams goats and they impressed.

[Alice In TX/MO]

Just a word of warning..... you may start out with Minis. I did because I was intimidated by the size of LaManchas, Nubians, etc. That was four years ago.

Now, my FAVORITE goat is a LaMancha/Saanen cross that weighs 187 pounds! She's a gentle giant milking 12 pounds a day at peak as a first freshener. She's still doing 8 in this heat.

Your taste in goats may evolve!

[Jagerland Ranch]

I just got off the phone with Mrs. Jelke and looks like I will be heading down south to visit with her and see some of her girls.

I'm still learning and reseaching...never ending, right?

A couple reasons I am looking at the Nigerian Dwarfs are:
1) Milk for my DH and I, plus cheeses. High butter fat!!!

2) I would like to be able to find "non freezer camp" homes for our bucklings or extra doelings (like there would be such a thing). I know I dont have control of what happens after they would leave, but I would like the lessen the chance.

3.) I've worked with a herd of 40+ "Big Girls" and it can be difficult at times due to their size. I have to say I laughed to whole time I was being squished.

4.) I'm a sucker for Blue Eyes. And I know color and blue eyes sell.

5.) I live in Boer goat country, they're everywhere around here and Top Shelf quality to boot. They are VERY expensive to get into for good lines and those lines are all over Texas.

6.) There are also a lot of very very lovely Nubians here.

So my hopes are to be able to market our extra colorful bucklings with good milking lines to good homes all over.

My DH wants to breed our 2 Boer/Nubian doelings with a Nubian buck later this year or early next year and go that route. But I fear I would end up wethering the bucklings and keeping them safe at home with us. He says, "It would take a while before we have a herd too large for our farm but maybe by then we could purchase some of the neighbor's fields." I tell him, "Now thats just crazy talk".

[GSFarm]

You're so lucky you're in TX! That's where some of the best lines for Nigerians come from it seems. Once my mom and I took a ride out there and came back with five goats! Good Luck! Nigerians are a blast.

[Jagerland Ranch]

Thank everyone for all your helpful info. With you help, I have learn so much this past week. The internet is a wonderful thing, I now have a ton more websites bookmarked for reference.

I have contacted a few breeders and will be out to see a couple of them next week.

Thanks again

Jenn

[Wags]

If you look at ADGA or AGS breed leaders for production you will see quite a few Jobi does in there - most of which my herd goes back too.

But try to see the doe or dam's udder before purchasing. Not every animal from every herd is going to be top notch or have long teats.

This is Jobi Maple - she is out of a long line of top 10 milkers from the Jobi herd. She is the dam of my main herd sire. She peaked at 6lbs and her son has been passing long the great teat length and it appears capacity as well.