What are Mini-Nubians?
Mini-Nubians originated by crossing standard Nubian does with Nigerian dwarf bucks to produce a smaller version of the Nubian. The use of Nigerian dwarf bucks as the foundation sires is what makes mini-Nubians different from Kinder goats, which used Pygmy bucks for foundation sires. Mini-Nubians are smaller than their full-sized cousins but can produce almost as much milk. They are easier to handle and require less space and feed than their larger cousins. Mini-Nubians can be registered with 2 registries- MDGA, Miniature Dairy Goat Association, and TMGR, the Miniature Goat Registry.
It’s not uncommon for first generation mini-Nubian kids to have partially dropped ears at birth, only to have them gain more control as they age until the ears stick straight out from the head like airplane wings.
By the 2nd or 3rd generation, the ears should be mostly dropped or even pendulous.
What We are Doing
We started breeding our own line of Mini-Nubians in 2017 when we purchased 2 full sized ADGA registered purebred Nubian does. We bred them to our best buck, Sugar Moon O Rough Ryder, whose pedigree includes superior genetics and elite does and bucks. The result- 1st generation Mini-Nubians with great conformation, udders and milking ability. Unfortunately, they look more like mini-Alpines with their airplane ears and only slightly Roman nose.
We acquired our first registered Mini-Nubian buck in 2020, a handsome 5th generation MDGA registered buck. However, he was too immature at time of fall breeding to use on our does. 2021 kids were sired by one of our Nigerian dwarf bucks, so they are still 1st generation, but what great looking kids!
We also acquired 4 MDGA registered Mini-Nubian does in 2020-a mother/daughter pair and a set of sisters, one of which was bred. These are all from established and well-known mini-Nubian lines. The bred doe gave us 2 6th gen buck kids, one of which is being kept for our breeding program. We look forward to seeing what can be accomplished by crossing our 2 lines. 2022 should finally see long, floppy ears on our kids.
2022 kidding season saw many kids with drop to pendulous ears. Finally, floppy ears! All does were on milk test and cuts will be made on the results. Our line of F1 does should have their milk stars at the end of this lactation.