Nigerian Dwarf Goats

There is no better goat for the hobby-farm enthusiast than the Nigerian dwarf goat. These dog-sized animals are small, cute, easy to take care of, and very productive. Nigerians are considered a dairy goat. In spite of their small size, no taller than two feet, they can produce a quarter to a half gallon of milk a day.

Nigerian dwarf goats are small like the pygmy goat (and are sometimes mistaken as pygmy goats), but aside from this commonality their respective physiques are considerably different. Whereas the pygmy goat has a body that is blocky and similar to a meat breed of goat, the Nigerian dwarf goat's physique is very proportional to those of regular-sized dairy breeds. This proportionality enables Nigerians to both have easier births and produce a higher quantity of milk than their similarly statured caprine kin, the pygmy goat. This high quantity of milk makes sense because Nigerians also have very high birth rates. It is common for a Nigerian doe to have twins, triplets, or more rare (but not unheard-of), quintuplets. Additionally, you will find that all of these Nigerian dwarf kids will come in a greater variety of colors than do their pygmy counterparts, of course, depending on the genetic lineage.

Nigerian goat milk is creamy and sweet. With higher butterfat content than other goat milks, it is the perfect goat milk to make cheese and butter with. Because Nigerians are small and easy to work with, they train very easily to a milk stand.

With their relaxed (albeit mischievous) temperament, they are excellent pets. They do not require a lot of space, although they love as much as they can get. For any type of goat, the more space available to them, the happier they will be. However, they can be very happy in a smaller backyard with plenty of toys to play with.

Whether as a pet, for a hobby, or for a living, these little milkers are sure to pull their weight and earn their keep.