Wehner Homestead
Herd Master
We have Nigerians. Haven’t eaten one. We have kids born in Jan that are about 25-30#. Something to keep in mind as there isn’t much meat on that carcass...
Have you considered Minis? There are Minis of each dairy breed that were bred by crossing with a Nigerian buck. You can buy Minis or breed your own. Essentially you’ll get a larger male with a more thickness than a purebred dairy and a female that can take in less feed and give almost as much milk as a Standard female.
We actually bought two LaMancha doelings this year to start raising our own Minis using our Nigerian bucks.
Check out MDGA or Miniature Dairy Goat Association for information and links about each of the breeds and breeders.
We co-raise our kids. It’s more work in that you have to work at socializing the kids or they won’t be tame like bottle babies. It’s a benefit because I only milk once a day after the kids are two weeks old and separated for eight hours prior. Works well for me. I’ll stick to once a day milking even after everyone is weaned.
Exactly 12 hrs apart is very difficult here too. (3 under 6, youngest has Spina Bifida, both work off the farm, other animals and obligations.) My goal is the same time every morning. Pulling babies in the evening is pretty easy and can be done quickly, even if evening chores are done earlier.
Have you considered Minis? There are Minis of each dairy breed that were bred by crossing with a Nigerian buck. You can buy Minis or breed your own. Essentially you’ll get a larger male with a more thickness than a purebred dairy and a female that can take in less feed and give almost as much milk as a Standard female.
We actually bought two LaMancha doelings this year to start raising our own Minis using our Nigerian bucks.
Check out MDGA or Miniature Dairy Goat Association for information and links about each of the breeds and breeders.
We co-raise our kids. It’s more work in that you have to work at socializing the kids or they won’t be tame like bottle babies. It’s a benefit because I only milk once a day after the kids are two weeks old and separated for eight hours prior. Works well for me. I’ll stick to once a day milking even after everyone is weaned.
Exactly 12 hrs apart is very difficult here too. (3 under 6, youngest has Spina Bifida, both work off the farm, other animals and obligations.) My goal is the same time every morning. Pulling babies in the evening is pretty easy and can be done quickly, even if evening chores are done earlier.
