OneFineAcre
Herd Master
Let me rephrase then. I love my ND's. I guess it would depend on how the question was asked. Nigerians are great animals for homesteading specifically because of their smaller size and in that there feed conversion ratio is better than any other dairy breed. Meaning their output , the amount of milk produced ( not just quantity but lbs/butterfat/protein) for the amount of input (feed and hay) is better than the standard breeds. The butter fat and protein is great for making cheese as well. Plus you may not need to quantity of milk the standard breeds produce. And, you can breed year round or a spring and fall crop to have milk year round.Blarneyeggs said:I am curious as to why you would not recommend NDs for homesteading. Too late for me, as we have already taken the plunge, but as you are a breeder, I'd love your insight. My guesses are: less milk? Smaller teats? Hmmmmm....OneFineAcre said:Well, I raise N.D.s.
She seems to have both, and not more one than the other.
But, when I look at her head, it seems wide. Almost like a Togg.
So, I think she has more than N.D. and Pygmy going on there.
But, while I raise and show ND's, I wouldn't necessarily recommend them for someone who had a "homestead" interest.
Your babies who are part Nubian, part Alpine and part "Daisy" woud probably fit that more than anything. "Hybrid Vigor", that's what they will have going for them
I hope you will have some great milkers
Rinks go, beautiful babies! Love the coloring!
Well, now that I say all that maybe they are the perfect homestead dairy goat. Maybe I was trying to think to hard that night
I think I was also trying to say that the OP's animals will probably be great milkers because of the ND/Alpine/Nubian cross.
I think when I wrote that I was thinking full blooded animals. When you cross breed you get hybrid vigor.
At shows most of the time the Recorded Grades are overall the most impressive dairy animals
I think the experimental breeds where people are crossing N.,D bucks to the standards are kind of cool
I love N.Ds they are wonderful animals.