Nigerian Dwarf goats are gentle and playful, and a welcome addition to a rotationally grazed agriculture model. They can be sustained on roughage and prefer to forage what other livestock won’t (i.e., weeds, and thistles, thorns off wild roses, branches from brush, downed trees, and fallen leaves). At Two Fox we incorporate them as weed eaters and try to afford them a wide range.
History: The Nigerian Dwarf goat is a miniature dairy goat originating in West Africa. The first Nigerian Dwarf goats came to the U.S. on African cargo ships transporting undomesticated animals to U.S. zoos. The goats were primarily used as a food source for large cats during the crossing. A number of these small goats survived and became an added attraction at American zoos. A large number ended up at the Glady’s Porter Zoo in Brownsville, Texas. From there private breeders began raising the miniature goats.
Over the last 20 + years, the dairy characteristics of the Nigerian have become more defined with breeders focusing on a higher milk production. The USDA approved the Nigerian Dwarf Goas a livestock dairy goat, which produces milk higher in butterfat and sweeter in taste.
Confirmation:
The Nigerian Dwarf Goat is classified as a dairy goat. The ideal goat will have a long body, with a flat topline. When standing on flat ground they should be a little taller at the shoulder than at the rump. This is called an uphill stance. You want a wide arch between the back legs to allow for a larger udder and higher milk production. When viewed from the front and behind the legs should be straight, not knock-kneed or bow-legged. The hooves, specifically the toes, should point straight and not be curved in too much or splayed outward.
Why Choose:
Docile Temperament (easy to handle)
Milk high in butter fat and sweet in taste,
Low Feed Requirements
Forages and sustainable on roughage
Low Impact
Small Paddock
Multi-coloration and patterns
Social
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