Harris Family Farms
Goats - Nigerian Dwarf
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The U.S. Department of Agriculture has also approved the Nigerian Dwarf Goat as a
livestock dairy goat, which makes them eligible for youth 4H and FFA projects. Dwarf goats
are registered in 6 registries: 5 in the United States (NDGA, AGS, IDGR, ADGA & ANDDA) &
1in Canada (CGS). Dwarf shows are growing in popularity and are becoming more readily
available all over the country. Nigerian Dwarfs are considered rare by the American
Livestock Breeds Conservancy.
The Nigerian Dwarf is a miniature goat of West African origin. Nigerian Dwarf goats are
enjoying a rise in popularity due to their small size and colorful markings. Their small stature
means they do not require as much space as their larger dairy goat counterparts and their
gentle and friendly personalities make them good companion pets. Dwarf goats are
gentle, loveable and playful. Their calm, even temperament and engaging personalities
make them suitable companions for all, including children, the disabled and the elderly.
Even breeding bucks are handled easily. They make wonderful pets and great animal
projects for young children in 4H or FFA. Breeders of other types of goats find their Dwarfs
blend in with the rest of their herd and do not need special quarter. Many Nigerian Dwarf
goats share pastures peacefully with other livestock such as cattle, horses, llamas and
donkeys. In fact, they will often improve a pasture by removing brambles, undergrowth
(including weeds) and ivy (even poison ivy) that other livestock won't eat.
A healthy Nigerian Dwarf doe can produce a surprising amount of sweet milk for her small
size - up to two quarts per day. In addition, Nigerian Dwarf milk is higher in butterfat (6-10%
and higher in protein than milk from most dairy goat breeds. However, many Nigerian Dwarf
owners do not raise their goats for milk but for the pleasure and companionship these little
caprines bring to their lives.
A Nigerian Dwarf goat's conformation is similar to that of the larger dairy goat breeds. The
parts of the body are in balanced proportion. The coat is soft with short to medium hair.
Any color or combination of colors is acceptable. The ideal height of Nigerian Dwarf goats
is 17-21" for does & 19-23" for bucks. Ideal weight is suggested to be @ 75 lbs.
Dwarf goats breed year round. Many owners breed their does three times in two years,
giving the doe at least a 6-month break. The gestation period for a doe is 145-153 days. For
the most part, Nigerian Dwarfs are a hearty breed with few kidding problems. New babies
average @ 2 Lbs at birth but grow quickly. Dwarf does can have several kids at a time, 3-4
being common with some quintuplet (5) births occurring.
Watch out for those little bucks! Bucklings can be fertile at as young as 7 weeks of age but,
are not placed in service until 3-8 months of age. Does can be bred as early as 7-8 months
of age but, some breeders prefer to wait until they are at least 1 year old.
livestock dairy goat, which makes them eligible for youth 4H and FFA projects. Dwarf goats
are registered in 6 registries: 5 in the United States (NDGA, AGS, IDGR, ADGA & ANDDA) &
1in Canada (CGS). Dwarf shows are growing in popularity and are becoming more readily
available all over the country. Nigerian Dwarfs are considered rare by the American
Livestock Breeds Conservancy.
The Nigerian Dwarf is a miniature goat of West African origin. Nigerian Dwarf goats are
enjoying a rise in popularity due to their small size and colorful markings. Their small stature
means they do not require as much space as their larger dairy goat counterparts and their
gentle and friendly personalities make them good companion pets. Dwarf goats are
gentle, loveable and playful. Their calm, even temperament and engaging personalities
make them suitable companions for all, including children, the disabled and the elderly.
Even breeding bucks are handled easily. They make wonderful pets and great animal
projects for young children in 4H or FFA. Breeders of other types of goats find their Dwarfs
blend in with the rest of their herd and do not need special quarter. Many Nigerian Dwarf
goats share pastures peacefully with other livestock such as cattle, horses, llamas and
donkeys. In fact, they will often improve a pasture by removing brambles, undergrowth
(including weeds) and ivy (even poison ivy) that other livestock won't eat.
A healthy Nigerian Dwarf doe can produce a surprising amount of sweet milk for her small
size - up to two quarts per day. In addition, Nigerian Dwarf milk is higher in butterfat (6-10%
and higher in protein than milk from most dairy goat breeds. However, many Nigerian Dwarf
owners do not raise their goats for milk but for the pleasure and companionship these little
caprines bring to their lives.
A Nigerian Dwarf goat's conformation is similar to that of the larger dairy goat breeds. The
parts of the body are in balanced proportion. The coat is soft with short to medium hair.
Any color or combination of colors is acceptable. The ideal height of Nigerian Dwarf goats
is 17-21" for does & 19-23" for bucks. Ideal weight is suggested to be @ 75 lbs.
Dwarf goats breed year round. Many owners breed their does three times in two years,
giving the doe at least a 6-month break. The gestation period for a doe is 145-153 days. For
the most part, Nigerian Dwarfs are a hearty breed with few kidding problems. New babies
average @ 2 Lbs at birth but grow quickly. Dwarf does can have several kids at a time, 3-4
being common with some quintuplet (5) births occurring.
Watch out for those little bucks! Bucklings can be fertile at as young as 7 weeks of age but,
are not placed in service until 3-8 months of age. Does can be bred as early as 7-8 months
of age but, some breeders prefer to wait until they are at least 1 year old.
| For More Breed Information, Please Visit: Nigerian Dwarf Goat Association American Nigerian Dwarf Dairy Association |