Here Is Information On Nigerian Dwarf Goat Farms

By Ann West


The origin of Nigerian dwarf goats is Western Africa. This breed became very popular due to the fact that they have beautiful body marks and are small in size. This breed has existed for a long time, but never have they been so popular like they are today. The small size of the goat is advantageous to farmers in numerous ways. This is worth knowing about Nigerian dwarf goat farms.

First and foremost, many individuals prefer Nigeria Dwarf goats due to their small size which makes them easy to raise even on small sizes of land. Under the US department of agriculture, this breed is classified as a dairy goat. Many other breeds fall in this category, but those are large in size. Keeping the other larger breeds requires a lot of feed and space.

The goats can be safely handled due to their small size. Unlike other goats, these goats are not aggressive naturally. They can easily be handled by children without the risk of causing injuries to them. The goats qualify for youth FFA and 4H projects because they are classified as livestock dairy animals.

Many people also prefer these goats because of their high milk production capability. They can produce about two quarts of milk per day. Other than being too nutritious, the milk is also sweet. The milk produced by the goats is amongst those with highest butterfat content in the entire animal family. Protein in the milk is also very high.

Despite the fact that the goats can produce so much milk in a single day, many farmers who keep them do not do so for the milk. As a fact, many individuals do not milk the goats for commercial purposes of domestic use. Instead, these goats are kept as pets. The animals provide company to their owners that many people love and enjoy.

Nigerian dwarfs are a legitimate breed that has strict conformation standards. Conformation standards in this breed are similar to the ones observed in other larger dairy goats. The first requirement for conformation is that body parts must be proportional. The nose is supposed to be straight with the ears being upright. The coat is required to be soft with the hair growing to a short or medium length.

The goats usually come in various colors or combination of certain colors which are acceptable depending on conformation standards. For the females, 17 to 19 inches is the ideal height. The males ought to be between 19 and 21 inches in height. In rare cases, the males can reach a height of 23 inches while the females could reach 21 inches.

Seventy five pounds is the general acceptable weight. Normally, animals which are heavier or have other deformities are disqualified. Some of the deformities include Roman nose, pendulous ears, and a curly coat. When one is shopping for the goat, it is prudent to be accompanied by an expert who will help with ensuring conformity. Alternatively, one could request the farmer for the registration certificate of the goat to verify conformity.




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