How hard are nubian goats to keep?
Dairy goats
- Thread starter packinaglock
- Start date
- Sep 13, 2008
- 76
- 0
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they are the noisiest of all the dairy breeds, i have Oberhalsies (sp) and La Manchas, they are the sweetest of the breeds and give milk like there is no ending, the most milk given are the Toggenburgs and the Saanens (sp). The have a few requirements and they hate the rain and the heat. I would get a book for sure, pretty much they are all the same but Nubians are really cute when they are babies but they will scream for attention more than the other breeds for sure
Purebred fanatics will tell you otherwise; but your choice in breeds simply is inconsequential 5 years from now. Pick a breed you like looking at. You will be feeding them, trimming their hooves, helping them kid for a very long time (up to 15 years). Pick goats which are 'pretty' to you, as performance amongst the breeds is hardly different at all when you compare an average goat of one breed to another.
This is where people will freak out and start espousing on buttefat content and other abstractions. It really makes no difference. There are good animals and bad ones of every breed. And hybrids (i.e. mutts) often outperform animals with papers anyhow.
I guess teh simple answer to your question is:
I raise registered Nubians.
I would never raise a La Mancha.
for reasons stated above
This is where people will freak out and start espousing on buttefat content and other abstractions. It really makes no difference. There are good animals and bad ones of every breed. And hybrids (i.e. mutts) often outperform animals with papers anyhow.
I guess teh simple answer to your question is:
I raise registered Nubians.
I would never raise a La Mancha.
for reasons stated above
Francisfarms gave a pretty accurate description.
Of my goaties, my Saanen is the quietest and most patient. A real sweety, even though she's very bossy to the other goats.
Yep, screaming is a very accurate word. I've had neighbors come over to see if my goaties were "OK". They were fine, just didn't like being the last one over foraging (tied) while I milked the other one. My neighbors are now used to my goats' baaing.
They are nice. Give lots of nice creamy rich milk.
Yep, screaming is a very accurate word. I've had neighbors come over to see if my goaties were "OK". They were fine, just didn't like being the last one over foraging (tied) while I milked the other one. My neighbors are now used to my goats' baaing.
They are nice. Give lots of nice creamy rich milk.
- Thread starter
- #5
I live in South Florida so I need a breed that can handle heat, I heard nubians can handle heat?
they originate from Nubia, i.e. Africa
but obviously all the ones in the US have come from the UK via the "Anglo-Nubian" blood lines
I would just take a drive around. If you see Nubians, they can handle the heat. A book may tell you this or that on the matter; but driving down a country road and seeing Nubian goats in someone's field would be more educational.
Or look in the papers and see if any are for sale.
but obviously all the ones in the US have come from the UK via the "Anglo-Nubian" blood lines
I would just take a drive around. If you see Nubians, they can handle the heat. A book may tell you this or that on the matter; but driving down a country road and seeing Nubian goats in someone's field would be more educational.
Or look in the papers and see if any are for sale.
I totally agree with greyfields on this one.
Pick a breed you like to look at and that is found around you so you know it's tolerant of your area. Talk to people, go to the local feed stores and ask them who buys goat feed from them. They can often hook you up with goat owners in your area.
It is also true that mixed breeds often out milk purebreds... it depends on who's breeding the goats and if they are breeding for milk production or what. A dairy farm would be a great place to go visit and ask questions.
I have Alpines and Nigerian Dwarfs and love them all. I'm milking my Alpines right now and loving the fresh milk.
Oh, just for my final 2 cents.... I don't like LaManchas either - only because they have no ears! I just can't get past that little detail... they are very sweet goats, just not for me. I have a friend who won't get a goat that has a beard!
Pick a breed you like to look at and that is found around you so you know it's tolerant of your area. Talk to people, go to the local feed stores and ask them who buys goat feed from them. They can often hook you up with goat owners in your area.
It is also true that mixed breeds often out milk purebreds... it depends on who's breeding the goats and if they are breeding for milk production or what. A dairy farm would be a great place to go visit and ask questions.
I have Alpines and Nigerian Dwarfs and love them all. I'm milking my Alpines right now and loving the fresh milk.
Oh, just for my final 2 cents.... I don't like LaManchas either - only because they have no ears! I just can't get past that little detail... they are very sweet goats, just not for me. I have a friend who won't get a goat that has a beard!
I
my LaManchas!
I think la manchas are adorable! I like either no ears at all, or droopy ears like on nubians and boers. La Manchas as supposed to be heat tolerant from what I have read.
Greyfields, I have a question for you. I have, apparently, the only 2 Swiss Alpine goats in our area. There is someone a few miles away who raises nubians and has agreed to breed my girls just as a good neighbor. He says it will improve my breed. Honestly, I just want to milk them. and will probably just try to sell the kids afterwards. I just want enough milk for my family. What do you think?
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