Triple R Ridge | About Nigerian Dwarf Goats

Nigerian Goat Behavior and Facts
- Goats are browsers, eating tips of woody shrubs and trees. They often improve a pasture by removing blackberry, weedy undergrowth and ivy (even poison ivy and poison oak) that other livestock won't eat.

- A doe can produce up to two quarts per day of milk that is higher in butterfat (6 to 10 percent) and protein than milk from most dairy goat breeds.

- Nigerian dwarf goats are raised for milk production but also as pets. They are gregarious, friendly and hardy and can thrive in almost any climate. Their gentle, calm and playful nature makes them good companion pets for children and disabled and elderly people.

- Their small size means they do not require as much space or feed as larger dairy goat breeds.

- Color is one factor that makes these goats popular: black, gold, chocolate, Dalmatian-spotted, pint-patterned and other combinations are possible.

From Birth to Death
Breed: year round
Gestation: 145 to 153 days
Kids: 3 to 4, each 2 pounds at birth
Sexual maturity: 3 months for males; 7 to 8 months for females
Lifespan: 15 years

Vital Statistics
Females: 22.5 inches at the withers; Males: 23.5 inches at the withers
Ideal weight: 75 pounds

Commonly Used Abbreviations
SG - ADGA Superior Genetics Award for animals that are considered in the top 15% of their breed at one time for type or production.
SGCH - ADGA Superior Genetics AND 3 Championship Wins under at least 2 different judges
CH - ADGA goat who has at least 3 Championship Wins under at least 2 different judges
GCH - ADGA Doe who has her milk star PLUS a Champion Status

MCH - AGS goat who has at least 3 Championship Wins
ARMCH - AGS goat who has her milk star PLUS a Champion Status

*M - ADGA Milk Award for Does. The # before it signifies the number of consecutive doe generations who have received the award
*D - AGS Milk Award for Does. The # before it signifies the number of consecutive doe generations who have received the award

*B - ADGA buck who is out of a Sire with either a +B or *B AND a Dam who has her *M in pounds of milk AND butterfat
*S - AGS buck who is out of a Sire with either a +S or *S AND a Dam who has her *D in pounds of milk AND butterfat

+B - ADGA Milk Award for a buck who has at least 3 daughters from 3 different dams to earn a *M milk star OR 2 sons who have earned a +B
+S - AGS Milk Award for a buck who has at least 3 daughters from 3 different dams to earn a *M milk star OR 2 sons who have earned a +B

++B - ADGA Milk Award for a buck who has at least 3 daughters from 3 different dams to earn a *M milk star AND 2 sons who have earned a +B
++S - AGS Milk Award for a buck who has at least 3 daughters from 3 different dams to earn a *D milk star AND 2 sons who have earned a +S

++*B - ADGA Milk Award for a buck who has at least 3 daughters from 3 different dams to earn a *M milk star, 2 sons who have earned a +B AND who is out of a Sire with either a +B or *B AND a Dam who has her *M in pounds of milk AND butterfat.
++*S - AGS Milk Award for a buck who has at least 3 daughters from 3 different dams to earn a *D milk star,2 sons who have earned a +S AND who is out of a Sire with either a +S or *S AND a Dam who has her *D in pounds of milk AND butterfat.

Status
Nigerian goats are considered rare by the American Livestock Breeds Conservancy. The U.S. Department of Agriculture has approved the Nigerian dwarf goat as a livestock dairy goat, which makes the breed eligible for youth 4H and FFA projects.