The goat is space saving and very easy to handle, especially when it comes to milking. Nigerian dwarf does weigh about 75 pounds, compared to an African pygmy doe at around 55 pounds. You can expect anywhere from 1-2 quarts of milk each day. The milk is super rich and can contain as much as 11% butterfat. You can also buy larger teat cups if you have other types of milk animals. Yes, you can. Usually, a female pygmy goat or doe weights just about 55 pounds. To view my affiliate disclaimer, click here. Pygmy goats are typically raised as pets, but Nigerian dwarf goats are actually classified as a type of dairy goat. Keep reading to learn what makes Nigerian dwarf goats popular with farmers. If you want fresh milk but have limited space for goats, consider one of the smaller or dwarf breeds. Pygmy goat weighs about 50 to 75 pounds depending on the gender. Pygmies tend toward agouti, brown (caramel) and black coloring. The butterfat content is the one that makes the milk so tasty and delicious. Goatsare jumpers and climbers. That’s why some people at home prefer to have fresh dairy from a pygmy goat. Male pygmy goats are the ones that could reach 75 pounds more or less. Purchase very high-quality hay for the healthiest goats and the highest quality milk - high calcium alfalfa hay is important for milk production. My pygmy doe had a hard labor w/ a big single buckling, had to take her to the vet for a c-section. One way to put it is that if a goat is very productive in milk, it is classified as a milk breed. Pygmies give very good milk which has around 4.5 to 11% of fat. The Size & Temperament of Nubian Dwarf Goats, Difference Between Dutch Belted & Galloway Belted. The situation of milking a pygmy goat often resulted from lack of space, especially for backyard or home farms. It’s the one that allows the milk to get creamy. You will have started your pregnant goats on grain and gotten them used to eating a substantial amount of grain during the last two months of pregnancy. Nigerian milk typically ranges from 6 to 10 percent butterfat. The Nigerian dwarf and African pygmy are capable of being bred year round, instead of in the fall when most dairy goats come into estrus. For an Alpine goat to be registered, there are several general requirements her ladyship must meet. Both Nigerian dwarf goats and African pygmy goats have been used for milk production, although the pygmy isn't usually considered a dairy breed. They did not remove her uterus, she still cycles normally. Two does or a doe and a wether (a neutered male goat) or a buck and a doe, if you are ready to start a little herd. Pygmy goats have several options to make money. If you decide to bottle feed, you will need to teach your baby goat to drink from a bottle. So you can buy them a grain feeder, or you can do as I do. This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Goat breeds are classified depending on their type or purpose. Pygmy goats can produce a ton of milk for their small size. Milk of Nigerian dwarf goat usually cont… ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. This video will tell you some of the things you need to know about Pygmy Goats: There are some tips you might want to know and consider when you’re into pygmy goat milking. Squirting milk into its mouth quickly helps it associate the bottle with milk. A good example of this situation is the pygmy goat. Both smaller breeds are easy to handle, even by children. Either of the two goat breeds you have, both are still a good choice. It’s also small but 1 to 2 quarts of milk a day is enough to fill up for cups of milk. If you continuously breed them, then your goat may become sick or produce less milk the next time. They're shorter than other breeds, with Nigerians standing 17 to 20 inches tall at the shoulder and Pygmies standing 16 to 23 inches tall at the shoulder. Nigerian dwarf goat produces a lot of milk and with the higher percentage of butterfat content. A balanced diet with all the nutrients improves immunity, growth and production. They're both friendly, easy to handle and capable of producing a good quantity of creamy milk while they lactate. On average, a pygmy goat tends to produce one to two liters of milk depending on the age of the female breed. They are also human-friendly which means there are no risks of harm anywhere in your backyard farm. This website uses cookies to improve your experience. I recommend that all people new to bottle feeding use the powdered milk replacer. Milk your does once per day, if you allow your goat’s kids to nurse part-time. As with other goats, keep the pygmy goat?s coat groomed at all times. The Best Goats for Milk: Breed Overview. It is never a good idea to just have one goat, you need at a minimum two goats. Alfalfa hay - If you don't have enough space for your pygmy goats, you can feed them alfalfa hay when they can't graze. Pygmy goats make wonderful pets and are also known for their highly meat and nutritious milk production. #5 Reason Why You DON’T Want Nigerian Dwarf Goats: Fencing. Either of the two goat breeds you have, both are still a good choice. The Nigerian dwarf goat being a pet at home, with the lack of space and nourishment used in farming and livestock, can actually still produce a sufficient amount of milk. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. Finally, the fiber is also used in the clothing industry. How to Prepare a Small Home for a Pet Dog. Nigerian dwarf goats produce around two quarts of milk a day. Whether you are raising goats for milk or meat, you have to have some knowledge on how goats are to be fed. Nigerian dwarf goats, however, can continue to produce a sufficient amount of milk for up to 305 days. PART OF WILD SKY MEDIA | FAMILY & PARENTING, Purdue.edu: Common Breeds of Dairy Goats in the US, Dairy Goat Journal: Nigerian Dwarf Dairy Goats, National Pygmy Goat Association: Pygmies for all Reasons, National Pygmy Goat Association: Color Choices for Registration, Nigerian Dwarf Goat Association: About Nigerian Dairy Goats, Pygmy Goats Compared to Dwarf Nigerians for Milking. © 2021 WILD SKY MEDIA. Empower Her. What to Feed. This is a common misconception of newbie farmers. You have to milk the goats at least twice per day unless you keep a kid on them. I receive a small commission if you buy through these links .Please Note there is NO additional cost to you. 3) They love to play: But unfortunately, the time or period to where you can goat a Nigerian goat is far longer compared to a pygmy goat. Goats can sometimes be mischievous but it’s just how they play. On an average a doe can produce around 2 quarts of milk everyday. You can if you want your hands and fingers to cramp. Nigerians are lighter boned and come in a variety of colors. Why Is My Pygmy Goat Jumping On Other Goats? If I’m going away on a trip, then I’ll use a sturdy under the bed box to make sure my goats have ample amount of feed while I’m gone. Pygmy goats continue to produce milk till about 4 to 6 months after giving birth to a baby. The average height of pygmy goat ranges from 16 to 23 inches tall where 16 is the range of female pygmy goat and 23, more or less, are males. You can increase the milk production of your pygmy goat by making sure that you let the goat have a few months to build up its supply before breeding it again. How to Feed Cracked Corn to Sheep & Goats, The Difference Between a Guernsey & a Jersey Cow. It requires you at least 2 to 3 times a day to keep the goat’s udder empty, once a day for a pygmy goat is more than enough. In the morning, milk your does and then allow the kids to nurse throughout the day. These cookies do not store any personal information. Pygmies produce milk for a shorter period -- only 120 to 180 days. Continue this feeding, even increasing it to several pounds a day, according to the doe’s body condition and the number of kids she is feeding or the amount of milk she is producing. But people usually do not milk their pygmy goats. I am actually a pygmy goat breeder and seller. That’s closer to 1 year. The requirement rises slightly each year until it peaks at 5 years old: 582# of milk or 20# of fat. Pygmy goats are active, so you have to provide them with a place to play as well as something to play with. Since not all requirements overlap for both registers, look up the association sites for specific questions on their unique requirements. It is important to select a high quality brand. If you stagger the breeding of several does, you can ensure a constant milk supply. There is what you call pygmy goat milking even if the goat is known to be the smallest type of meat breed. A pygmy goat is definitely not a good milk goat, they are difficult to milk, and just are not made for it. Their milking period, however, is shorter than other dairy goats, producing milk for only 120 to 180 days out of the year. Any cookies that may not be particularly necessary for the website to function and is used specifically to collect user personal data via analytics, ads, other embedded contents are termed as non-necessary cookies. Pygmy goats can produce at least 1 quart to two quarts of milk a day. While Pygmy goats are most commonly kept as pets, they can also be used for milk production. The high butterfat makes the milk taste sweet and not likely to taste "goaty" as soon. Storey's Guide to Raising Dairy Goats; Jerry Belanger. Considering that you chose to raise a pygmy goat at home to save space, that amount of milk is probably more than enough for your small and healthy family. Although the milk comprises of 4.5% to 11% of butterfat, the milking period is relatively short. Meat and milk goats are likely to lose condition if given inadequate feeds due to … In fact, if you are only going to have a few of them, dog houses will work great and in some cases, a single big dog house will work. Because these goats only produce milk after having kids, they need some time between each baby to regain their health. Large milk breeds can produce a high amount of milk but it would be very hard for home or backyard farmers to milk the goat. ... Pygmy milk is higher in calcium, phosphorus, potassium and iron than milk from dairy breeds, and is lower in sodium. They actually can but in very small amounts. You’re probably familiar with pygmy goats, which are another small-sized goat. The situation will lead you into choosing a dwarf breed which brings you to either a Nigerian dwarf or a pygmy goat. If you desire gallon(s) of milk, you will want a larger goat breed, like Nubian’s. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. Pygmy milk and fat quantity requirements are one-third of the dairy goat standards. While these superficial traits don't affect milk production, many people are drawn to one or the other breed. At a minimum, this means four does, breeding a different one each quarter, so that you can have 1-2 quarts of goat milk a day throughout the year. However, it does not mean that if it’s a meat breed, it cannot produce milk. Enough to supply its kids with the nourishment they need. The implication above does not mean that Pygmy goats do not produce milk. Can target market in breed improvement. It has a sweet and rich taste, possibly because of the amount of butterfat. Regardless of the breed, a goat will definitely produce milk after a few weeks of gestation. The classification of the milk breed is being determined by the amount of milk it can produce and the butterfat content of the milk. On the other hand, a Pygmy doe can produce around 1 to 2 quarts of milk daily on an average. Ive never owned a doe before and i need to know everything about milking and also what do i do if my 2 yearling wethers pick on the babies? Then Nigerian dwarf goats just might be the goat that you’re looking for! It is mandatory to procure user consent prior to running these cookies on your website. Nigerian dwarf takes a lot of effort in milking. There are two main options, either a commercial powdered goat milk replacer or make your own using a cow’s milk based recipe that you mix up yourself (recipe below). However, pygmies have shorter lactation times, so you will need more pygmies than Nigerians. Be Her Village. Both Nigerian dwarf goats and African pygmy goats have been used for milk production, although the pygmy isn't usually considered a dairy breed. If you want a steady supply of delicious, high-quality goat milk, you will need several does, and to time their breeding schedule so that you will always have a doe producing milk. Why You Should Invest In A Beware Of Dog Sign. If a goat is large enough to grow juicy and delicious meat, it’s classified as a meat breed, the same thing for fiber producing goat breed. Nigerians generally produce milk for more than 305 days. Both goat breeds produce high-butterfat milk. Every pygmy goat needs 0.5 … Pygmy goats make great pets. They're both easier to handle than the larger dairy breeds that stand more than 28 inches at the shoulder and weighing well over 100 pounds. Of course, there is some question regarding can you milk pygmy goats with any kind of hand pump milker. Goat Supplies: Everything You Need To Get Started. However, what we call the Cameroon Dwarf goat is the one that we are concerned with and which we have in the United States and is the breed that actually came from the former French Cameroon area. If you live in a colder climate, a small shed would be a perfect shelter for the winter months. Pygmy milk ranges from 4.5 to more than 11 percent butterfat. Many have blue eyes. Pygmy Goat Milking. The pygmy goats should get their hooves trimmed every four months. This enables the kids to be born and milk production to start -- called freshening -- at different times. Pygmy goats can produce milk for only 120 to 180 days more or less. Out of these cookies, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. Regardless, it’s still one of the good milk you’d taste considering that it is a meat breed to start with. However, it is not always the best solution for home breeders. Mineral Feeder. The only con with this is you’ll have to wait AT LEAST a year to a year and a half before you can breed, then you’ll have to wait 5 months until they have babies and start giving milk. Naturally, you’ll want to know what the best goats for milk are. That’s why some people at home prefer to have fresh dairy from a pygmy goat. Nigerian dwarf takes a lot of effort in milking. I use a galvanized tub to feed my goats. Similar forms of Pygmy goats also occur in all of northern Africa, in the southwestern African countries and also in east Africa. While there are hundreds of breeds of goats throughout the world, only eight are generally recognized as dairy breeds in the United States and thus the best goats for milk. They enjoy this process because they like to bond with their owners. It is dangerous because of the anesthetic, goats do not do well with that. This makes handling things pretty easy for you at home. Im 14 and i have 2 one year old wethers and in the spring im getting 2 more babies, another wether and a doe. Are you interested in raising pint-sized goats that are productive and friendly? If you are going to feed your goats minerals, then you’ll need a mineral feeder. Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Trimming Pygmy Goat. Pygmy goats meat is also preferred. Amazon and the Amazon logo are trademarks of Amazon.com, Inc, or its affiliates. If you're planning on obtaining dwarf milk goats, both the Nigerian dwarf and the African pygmy are good choices. Milk stays fresh for a long time. Throughout my site in my articles I recommend some products. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. They do not recommend breeding a doe that had had a c-section before, but that's personal choice. Not to mention that farming at home isn’t really a job but more of a passion and utilizing the animal and your knowledge for the luxury of having a fresh dairy product at home. Pygmy goats can produce, on average, between one to two quarts of 4.5% to 11% butterfat milk. This makes pygmy goat an ideal choice. Keep the kids separated from their mother at night. But make sure the kids have access to fresh hay, grain and sufficient clean water. The most popular is the Nubian goat. It requires you at least 2 to 3 times a day to keep the goat’s udder empty, once a day for a pygmy goat is more than enough. For Nigerian Dwarfs, you can find a young doeling for $150-$300 depending on their parents background, milking star awards, and colorings. They continue to produce milk for almost 4 to 6 months after giving birth to a baby. The milk with high butterfat content is often used to create ice cream, yogurt, some cosmetic products, cheese and more. Obviously it would be best to have some of this on hand before the kids arrive. It’s almost the same with Nigerian dwarf with at least 2 quarts or more. But opting out of some of these cookies may have an effect on your browsing experience. Often times, goats will try to perform a head-butt and other behavior if they feel like being playful. Local bakeries prefer goat milk. We'll assume you're ok with this, but you can opt-out if you wish. As an Amazon Associate PetStuffGuide.com earns from qualifying purchases in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com Amazon and the Amazon logo are trademarks of Amazon.com, Inc or its affiliates. Pygmies can produce anywhere from a quart to two-thirds of a gallon, with the average being one to two quarts. 2020 Buying Guide: Air Purifiers for Pet Owners, Lowest Maintenance Fish Tanks: Your Top Options. Additionally, it is best if your goat does not have … Dog Names – Why Are Dog’s Called Fido, Rover and Spot? thanks so much :) This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. This post contains affiliate links. They do have shorter lactation periods than some of the dairy goat breeds and will only be in milk for 120-180 days before drying up. The butterfat content of pygmy goat’s milk is about 4.5 to 10 percent while Nigerian has 6 – 10 percent, a little higher compared to a pygmy. These goats are non-seasonal breeders, and so, they can … Nigerian goats are small sized animal but good milkers compared to their body size. Unlike average sized goats, pygmy goats do not need a big shelter. Mention goat milk and many people grab their throats and gargle, “AAAGH!” Pygmy goat milk is extremely sweet and delicious. What Are Some Physical Characteristics of Corriedale Sheep? Polyestrous sexual behavior means they can cycle year-round as opposed to dairy breeds. Milk of both Pygmy and Nigerian dwarf goat contain high butterfat which makes their milk taste sweet and comparatively better than other goat’s milk. To earn a milking award, a Pygmy under two years old must produce 500# of milk or close to 18# of butterfat. In the United States, the two leading registries for dairy goats are the American Dairy Goat Association (ADGA) and American Goat Association (AGA). Although all healthy, female goats are capable of producing milk to feed their babies, not all goats produce enough milk to provide humans with a reasonable share of that milk.. Shape The World. If you want fresh milk but have limited space for goats, consider one of the smaller or dwarf breeds. 3. The quality of milk a pygmy goat produces may not be the best but it is certainly good. Access to fresh hay, grain and sufficient clean water milk comprises of 4.5 % to 11 % butterfat. 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