Nubian questions

Living Skies · #1 10/31/13, 12:38 PM

My wife has had her heart set on Nubians lately as she is desperate for a dairy breed but is getting concerned about our winters.

We live in Saskatchewan, winters are downright legendary here with temps commonly hovering at -30 for long stretches and snow drifts 15ft high(ive got pics to prove it). The goats have a fully enclosed mini barn of their own with just a small outdoor access and plenty of deep straw bedding at all times but she's been reading alot about issues some have had. Many things she's read have said Nubians just dont thrive in our climate without heated barns.

Hoping I can get some much needed first hand knowledge of the hardiness of these guys.

Thanks very much!

dozedotz · #2 10/31/13, 01:18 PM

Looked up the Saskatchewan Goat Breeders Assoc which was incorporated in the 1970's. Looks like lots of meat goat breeders listed. Saw 2 offering Nubians, 1 offering Nubian mixes and 1 offering "dairy goats." There was also one for Nigerian Dwarfs. Doesn't sound too promising....but you could contact one of those breeders and maybe they would let you know what they do to protect their goats...? I used to follow a blog in Alaska where the woman raised LaManchas in a barn that was essentially a cave...they did great! Good luck...completely understand why she wants Nubians - they are beautiful.

Backfourty,MI. · #3 10/31/13, 03:13 PM

dozedotz has a good idea in contacting the few breeders in your area & ask them how well they do there.
I have mini nubians & we get pretty cold winters but not near the extent that you do.

Clovers_Clan · #4 10/31/13, 03:19 PM

Frost bit ears are the main concern, other than that similar to any other breed. A neighbor when I lived in the higher elevations in Colorado put socks on her Nubians' ears during below zero weather. I have noticed that Nubians do not get nearly as shaggy as Alpine breeds and as cold as it gets where you are, that could be a concern.

Dozedotz makes a good point, ask some breeders in your area. Another concern is going with a breed that is at least common enough in your area that you can find a practical gene pool. It could be hard to find a convenient buck if you don't have your own. And even if you do, eventually you may be faced with inbreeding.

southerngurl · #5 10/31/13, 03:33 PM

I would move LOL! Well at least parasites shouldn't be a big problem there. Yea I would get stock from places with similar climate and talk to those breeders about dealing with your winter temps, because here we *might* hit 0 F in the winter.

That said, she might try reconsidering as I'm sure alpines or toggs would be better suited. My toggenburg puts on quite the coat. Some of my Nubians barely get much of a winter coat, some get pretty hairy though not like the togg.

CAjerseychick · #6 11/01/13, 11:25 AM

We wanted Nubians too (our climate has snow but is waaay milder than yours!)- ended up somewhat randomly with 3 Oberhasli's (went to pick up one kid and got, given 2 more) including a doe in milk- let me tell you we are newbies, never had goats before and am LOVING this breed. They are so well mannered and quiet, the doe in milk follows you around like a dog, and although new to milking, stands for my daughter and we get over a half gallon a day of sweet creamy delicious milk, and she was in process of being dried off for sale....I think they normal give closer to a gallon a day, she was purchased from a goat dairy that is all Oberhaslis...
Just thinking that you may want to stick with a breed more suited to a colder climate, but I know its hard when your spouse has their heart set on something....
(just so glad we lucked into this breed).