Now at J&M Farm---Registered Nigerian Dwarf Goats!

We have decided to add Nigerian Dwarves to our farm.  They are simply wonderful animals. We will continue to have pet goats available but needed to expand into a purebred goat breed.

We purchased our first bred doe in March 2010. She gave us 3 beautiful kids--2 bucklings and 1 doeling. Mom and kids are doing fine. 

On June 20, 2010 we added 2 more does to the herd. They are from good bloodlines and are coming from Sunnydale Farms in CT.  We thank Irene Toth for allowing us the opportunity to have these beautiful girls.

These goats are registered with the American Goat Society, which we recently joined.  The two new does are also registered with the American Dairy Goat Association.  We joined the ADGA in 2010.

We added Roundabout Mun Kee Cee to our herd in Aug. 2010 as a bred doe.  She was bred to Bombahook Acres Triple Crown.  She had 2 beautiful doelings in March 2011.

2011 Kidding was a success--3 handsome bucklings and 3 doelings.  We also added a new herdsire and another doe in August.  

2012 Kidding was profitable-- 4 bucklings and 2 doelings.  Also, 2 pet bucklings and 2 pet doelings.  All doelings retained.

Breeding scedule for 2013 kidding-- All does to be bred by Birch Ridge Farm MM MoonBeam, except 2012 doelings.

About Nigerian Dwarf Goats

 Between 1930 and 1950, zoos in the United States imported a population of small goats from West Africa for exhibition and as food for the large cats.  These small goats later found popularity as pets and companion animals.  From this population came the two breeds of miniature goats, Pygmy goats and Nigerian Dwarf goats.

Pygmy goats were first recognized by the American Goat Society in 1976.  The pygmy has been standardized through selection for small size and stocky conformation.  The breed is limited to 3 basic colors: black, brown and caramel.

Nigerian dwarf goats were bred to look like miniature dairy goats, with a slimmer more graceful appearance than the pygmy goat.  They were also selected for pleasant temperament and milking ability.  Nigerian does should be no taller than 22.5 in at the shoulder and bucks no taller than 23.5 in, according to the AGS and ADGA.  They can be horned, polled or dehorned.  Nigerians come in a wide range of colors and patterns with all colors being acceptable for registration.  The NDGA faults agouti (pygmy) coloring in the show ring (it is acceptable but frowned upon).

* information comes from Wikipedia and American Livestock Breeds Conservancy.  

Uses for Nigerian Dwarf Goats

Companion/Pet

This was the original use of this breed.  Their small size and friendly disposition made them perfect as backyard pets and as companion animals.  They have been used as visiting animals for nursing homes, as exhibits at petting zoos and as pets in homes with small children.

This little fellow is shown with a young girl.  She has no problem handling him.  He was also used as a companion to an orphaned Jacob sheep and currently keeps our alpacas company.

"Mini Milker"

The Nigerian Dwarf goat is recognized by the American Dairy Goat Association as a dairy goat.  This little goat can produce from 1-8 lbs of milk a day, with an average of 2.5 lbs.  This is equivalent to about 1-2 qts of milk.  Nigerian Dwarf milk is higher in butterfat than other dairy goats, being about 5% to as high as 10%.  The higher butterfat makes better butter, cheese and soap than other breeds.

Notice the utter on this doe.  The picture was taken shortly after her babies were weaned.  Also notice the slim appearance.

Another benefit of the Nigerian Dwarf goat is that they can be bred year round. This allows a small herd on a staggered freshening schedule to provide milk year round. Does can be milked for up to 10 months.

Foundation for "Mini" breeds

Nigerian dwarf studs are used to create "mini" breeds by breeding them to the other full-sized dairy breeds.  For example, breeding a Nigerian dwarf buck to a full-sized Alpine doe produces a "mini" alpine kid.  The idea is to breed a smaller, more productive cross of the 2 breeds.

This the latest trend for small homestead dairies.  A smaller more productive doe eats less, takes up less room and is easier to handle than her full-sized ancestors.  Mini-alpines, mini-nubians and others are becoming more popular.  They even have their own registry.