Muilti-purpose goat breeds??

[TAH]

What breed did you get?

 

[sbrandewie]

We are FINALLY getting Nigerians on Sunday. Woo hoo. We came across some obstacles when putting up the fence. Hopefully it is at least somewhat goat-proof. We are very excited to get them!

 

[TAH]

Congrats Hope they fit in good.

 

[Latestarter]

Grats on your soon to be new goats!

 

[sbrandewie]

Hey guys. So we heard from someone that we sell our rabbits to that Nigerian Dwarfs have a lot of kidding problems. Is this true?! This has my husband and I very worried. We are supposed to meet someone tomorrow afternoon for the NDs

 

[Latestarter]

@OneFineAcre @Southern by choice @Goat Whisperer <--- all have extensive experience with nigies (as well as full sized goats) I think they'd tend to disagree, but either way, I hope they'll ease your concerns.

 

[OneFineAcre]

Hey guys. So we heard from someone that we sell our rabbits to that Nigerian Dwarfs have a lot of kidding problems. Is this true?! This has my husband and I very worried. We are supposed to meet someone tomorrow afternoon for the NDs

I have not found that to be the case
Most goat births are routine for all breeds but occasionally a gpat has a problem
I do not believe that Nigerians have more problems, I've always heard they had less

 

[Goat Whisperer]

I'd have to disagree with nigies have lots of kidding issues. Almost any time I see a ND have issues kidding is when they are very overweight or have a large litter. One of my girls needed help last year because she was a little first timer with quads, she had 2 kids trying to come at once. This year she had 5 and needed no help with the birthing.

Haven't really had any other issues. Any goat can have problems but nigies seldom seem to have hard kiddings. You just need to be smart with the buck you breed her with.

Maybe this person meant pygmys, I have heard they can have issues.....

 

[Goat Whisperer]

I do not believe that Nigerians have more problems, I've always heard they had less

Ditto

 

[Southern by choice]

Hey guys. So we heard from someone that we sell our rabbits to that Nigerian Dwarfs have a lot of kidding problems. Is this true?! This has my husband and I very worried. We are supposed to meet someone tomorrow afternoon for the NDs

Nigies rarely have kidding issues, rarely get mastitis, and are generally easy to keep in condition as well as easy to care for.

Pygmys are often confused with Nigerians because they are both small breeds, but they are distinctly different. Pygmys are wonderful little goats... usually sshorter height wise but "rounder" in the body. Considered a meat goat as opposed to the Nigerian Dwarf that is a dairy goat. Pygmys are generally stouter and are often referred to as a barrel on little stilts. From all I have heard, pygmys, because of their body shape and head size are more prone to kidding complications.

There are many that have nigie/pygmy crosses that do fine.

Congratulations on your new goats!