I need some information on raising Nigerian Dwarf Goats!

[T-R-O-U-B-L-E]

Thanks! When it is confirmed that I am getting a goat, I'll ask more specific questions. But for now, I know more about goats then I ever have!

 

[MeanCheek]

I may be getting some NDs but I need to learn about them first. If anyone can give me any information that would be great and I have a few specific questions.
1. Is $150 too much for 1 intact buckling?

2. Do I need 2 goats or can I keep just 1?
3 Do they need hay all year, or just in winter?

4. What all do I feed them?

5. How much space does 1 goat need?

6. What kind of structure is suitable?

7. How much dies castration cost?

8. Is it better to castrate them?

9. Are ND bucks (or wethers) typically aggresive?

10. Should I just wait for a doe?

Quote Reply

I know someone with NDs!

1. Registered nigerians go for hundreds! I think $150 is good
3. The goats I know eat only hay

Those are the only questions I can answer, sorry that's all I know.

 

[Fuchsia]

Three due next week - how exciting!!!!! We did not breed this year, covid took me down. Probably breeding 2 this feb.

I’m pretty excited
I’m sorry about your breeding this year! I hope your breeding next year goes better!

 

[Everose]

I am no expert, but I have done research on raising goats so hopefully I can answer some questions.
@Everose has NDs, and will likely be able to provide much more information.

I would say no, but it all depends on your area and quality of the goat. Some can be very expensive.

Goats are herd animals, so you need at least two.

All year, unless you grow it yourself and they're able to graze on fresh grasses.

You can have about six goats per acre, but it depends a lot on the land. I recommend rotational grazing, so the goats get to be moved on to fresh grass regularly. It also helps to get them to eat everything in their area rather than just picking a few things to eat.

Usually a simple lean-to is all you need. If you ever plan on breeding, an area with a pen that will stay warm is important. A pen of some sort will be useful though. It really depends on your climate.
Goats are very playful and love to climb on things (including your vehicles!), so playground structures are good to have. There's lots of ideas on Pinterest, where people have used tires, pallets, and all sorts of things to make play structures for them.

It depends on your area. On average, it can cost around $100. It's cheaper to just buy a wether.

Absolutely. Bucks are not fun to deal with, and no one new to goats should get a buckling. They're smelly, can be hard to handle, and are just not fun to be around for most people.
Just remember that they should be castrated at around 12 weeks.

Bucks can be aggressive, and dangerous if they have horns. Of course it depends on the individual, but most are going to be a pain.

Depends on what you're wanting them for.
Wethers can make good pets, so long as the owner thoroughly researches beforehand.
I would personally wait to get does though.

Something to be aware of is fencing. Goats are escape artists, and are constantly testing their limits. A tall, stury fence that they can't jump over, crawl under, or squeeze through is very important, and can be costly. But is absolutely necessary to protect them from predators and keeping them from getting into trouble.
There are lots of fencing options, some good, some bad, and plenty that are overated.

I highly recommend getting the book "Storey's guide to raising dairy goats". And definitely look into some youtube channels so you can really see what the life of a goat owner is like.

Thx for the tag
And great info

 

[T-R-O-U-B-L-E]

Nope, but if you're just going to castrate it for a pet I wouldn't spend that much. If he has great genetics and is registered I would pass and let someone with a breeding program buy him.

Yes, two goats or no goats. Watching them be buddies is much better than having a depressed goat. The more the merrier.

All year. Dry forage is incredibly important to their digestive systems, they should not go without.

Just a medicated ration and a bucket of mineral is what my bucks get. Find a feed that is not for dairy goats, all the extra stuff in there isn't good for male goats.

I'd give them about a 1/4 acre and see how they do. Hopefully they'd eat it all down, the last thing you want is goats eating off of the ground, goats are meant to forage above ground on shrubs and trees, once they look to the ground for food they get worms, and unlike cows or sheep they do not build resistance to worms. Dry lots or STRICT rotation pastures.

Large dog kennels are best, and when it's cold I give them a couple hay filled igloos or large chemical transportation containers with a door cut into it. They need shelter from the rain, but the last thing you want is a tiny closed in space, once they lose ventilation they get pneumonia, keep their shelter well ventilated.

Free if you're gangster enough to band em. Don't just use any band tho, use the real thing to avoid injuring them or giving them an infection.
I've never had a vet castrate, boys don't even know their stuff is falling off because they can't feel it, it's numb.

Meh. I love intact boys. Mine are all big sweethearts, stinky but sweet. But If your buck is unruly or mean take his manhood, he doesn't deserve it.

Not in my experience. My little man could put up a fight and he wouldn't be messed with by the Mini Nubians, but he was an absolute doll and he was everyone's buddy (that was actually his name)

Do you want a hormonal drama queen? Girls go into heat every. single. month. and their crying and whining gets old fast

A few fatal mistakes I wouldn't make:

1. Weak fencing. Make your fence as tight as possible, no short spots or loose wire
2. Regular worming. Doing this can make the worms resistant to wormers, and your goat will die.
3. No mineral. Mineral is a life saver, they need it.
4. Grassy ground. Do not let them eat off the ground. Ever wonder why petting zoos keep their goats on sand? It's so they don't have to spend hundreds of dollars on wormer.

Interesting on the grass. And funny enough I have some goat dewormer pellets because someone at TSC said they would work for chickens.

 

[T-R-O-U-B-L-E]

Good luck! You will have happy goats some day, just takes some prep work.

Of course. I still have to make sure my land has no poisionus plants, find the best place, and get a job!

 

[T-R-O-U-B-L-E]

This place has wethers for $100
https://www.prairiewoodranch.com/nigerian-dwarf-goats-for-sale/

 

[T-R-O-U-B-L-E]

Im just looking around. Some places have them for pretty cheap. If we get ready for some, I'll definitely look on FB and Craigslist before buying anything from a breeder.

 

[Silexian]

I have a smaller herd now. We used to run about 250 does. I like to stock a goat per acre. Goats are browsers, so they do better on brush and weeds. Than being on grass pasture. If you are going to have them on pasture. It is best to turn them out after the dew is dry. That will cut down on them getting worms. Goats do not handle having worms as well as grazing livestock. Such as cattle, horses and sheep. You can also feed hay year round. If you can find a steady supply and can handle the expense. Feeding hay up off the ground will lessen the chances of them getting worms also. If you have good soil where you live. You will also need to keep their hooves trimmed. Which will help prevent foot rot and other problems. I make a cattle panel pen around portable sheds to house mine at night. They go in like chickens do in the evening. They sleep in the pen during nice weather and go in the sheds during bad. When an area accumulates too much manure. I move the sheds and pens to a new area.

 

[T-R-O-U-B-L-E]

I'll probably end up getting 2 wethers unless I can find 2 does for close to same price.