Mini Nubian or Nigi Dwarf?

[FarmerwannaB]

I am looking into getting goats here soon and want a smaller size because I don't have the room for full size goats. Both Nigi and mini nubians are available in my area. Which breed would you prefer and why? Is one hardier than the other or produce more milk or healthier?? Any help would be fantastic! Thank you!!

 

[muddipuppy]

i say nigerian. they are super quiet compared to the nubians, and, in my humble opinion, cuter!

 

[ksalvagno]

First, it would depend on how small the mini Nubians are. An F1 which is usually a full size Nubian doe bred to a Nigerian buck offspring won't be all that small. You would want more like an F3 or F4 mini Nubian.

The other thing you will need to look into is if the places you buy from will let you breed to their boys if you aren't going to keep any boys. Many farms won't let others use their males for breeding so that could be a determining factor which one you get.

I have Nigerians and love them but everyone needs to figure out which one is their favorite.

 

[Mea]

I might quibble just a bit about the Nigerians being quiet. At the shows we've been to this spring... it has been a tie beyween the Nigerians and the Nubians as fas as noise levels.

I have heard that the Nigerians, because of their small size... and their nature to have multiple births, *can* be a nightmare at kidding time. Someone with more experience with them could answer that. If You have people around You that raise them, there would be a good source of information on those specific goats.

Keep us posted....

 

[freemotion]

Don't the smaller goaties need to be older before breeding the first time, too? If so, this is another factor, because you need to factor in the upkeep for another year. On the other hand, some small breeds can be bred year-round, so kidding can be staggered for year-round milking.

Just "thinking out loud" so to speak. I have full size dairy does and pet pygmy-x's, so what do I know?

 

[lilhill]

I raise Nigerians and have no noise problems out of any of them. As far as a kidding nightmare, don't know where that came from. I have only had 3 assisted kiddings in 5 years with my herd. Generally, Nigerians are very easy kidders and great at taking care of their babies. I don't breed the does until they are 8 or 9 months old and mature enough to breed.

 

[chandasue]

I have Nigerians and love them to bits. Not much experience but we've had no problems with kidding and the milk is really tasty and just about right for us. I can see needing just a bit more if I was really going to get into cheesemaking though. I'm getting about a quart/day from her so I do save up some for occasional soft cheeses, yogurt and soap. If you buy one that's in milk find out how much milk she gives per day. A quart (~2 lbs) per day seems like the norm, but some are really good milkers closer to 4-5 lbs/day. Maybe the Mini-nubis produce more milk. It's worth finding out from the breeders.

 

[Chirpy]

I, too, have Nigis. The first thing I tell anyone that wants to milk a Nigi -- spend the money and get does from established, good quality milk lines. Go to the farm (if at all possible) and milk their dam. That will give you a fair idea on what to expect. Some people cannot get their hands/fingers around Nigi teats and just can't milk them. Their teats are so tiny anyway that if they weren't bred for teat size, udder attachment and production... you will likely become so frustrated at trying to milk them that you will just give up. You might 'luck-out' and get an easy milker without the genetics but don't expect that.

I would also say that Nigi's tend to have few birthing problems. I don't have years of personal experience but my girls have had zero problems with kidding and are great mommas. I keep in touch with a couple of Nigi breeders around here and they rarely have had issues with birthing. But, any goat can.

I don't breed my Nigis until they are 18 months old. I personally like to give them plenty of time to grow up/mature themselves (bodywise) before stressing those bodies with babies. I also plan my Nigi births for late spring for warmer weather to make it easier for the kids and in case babies are born at night and I'm not there. My barn isn't heated but my does are always in enclosed kidding stalls starting two weeks before their first due date.

I love my Nigi girls. They are not loud ever until they see a person. They then get quite vocal until someone goes over to pet them or let them out to run around the farm.

I have no experience with mini Nubians so I can't help at all with them.

 

[FarmerwannaB]

Thank you everyone for your input, I am currently talking to two different breeders about their goats, one with mini's and one with nigi's. So far, I am leaning toward the Nigi's. Their dams seem to be milking 4-5lbs a day! And she may even have a beautiful black doe availble after the doe weans her kids. I will keep everyone updated and post pics when I finally gets some cuties!

 

[chandasue]

If you have trouble milking their tiny teats by hand, look into getting a hand milker. Most people recommend the Henry Milker. I have the Udderly EZ Milker. Works great, saves my hands and fast enough for my impatient doe.