Nigerian Dwarf goats are known for being friendly, hardy, playful, and strong milk producers. This versatile breed is great for dairy production or just plain happiness. Raising goats, even if you don't live in the country, is possible, and compared to other dairy animals, they need a very small amount of space.
If you’re wondering how many goats you can keep per acre, you’re in the right place. Here’s what you need to know to ensure your goats have enough space to thrive.
RAISING NIGERIAN DWARF GOATS - Our Daily Goat Routine - Collaboration
Space Requirements for Nigerian Dwarf Goats
The general recommendation is to keep up to eight goats per acre for small to medium-sized goats. However, for larger breeds, a better number is six goats per acre. The Nigerian Dwarf is the smallest goat, so you could fit in 10 goats per acre.
Mathematically, an acre is 4,840 square yards. While this may seem quite large, it’s important to remember goats are active creatures. They will use every inch of their acre to eat, sleep, and amuse themselves.
While Nigerian dwarf goats do need a lot of romping space, they don't need as much housing space as other goats due to their diminutive size. A shelter that is 4 by 5 feet (1.2 by 1.5 m) is enough for 2 goats. The height needs to be tall enough for you to be able to clean it out, as these goats rarely get above 2 feet (0.61 m). Of course, you need to scale up if you add more goats to your herd.
Read also: Balancing Career and Family: Egypt Sherrod
Indoor Space
Most sources say that goats need ten feet per goat of indoor space. You'll need about 135 square feet (12.5 m2) of space per goat that you have in your herd.
Factors Affecting Space Needs
Several factors can influence the amount of space your goats need:
- Pasture Quality: If the pasture is poor, a better number is four goats per acre. The best areas for goats to pasture would have lots of bushy growth that they could forage.
- Parasite Management: Parasite management also changes the amount of space you may need. Just be realistic in the amount of space you are going to need.
- Hay Storage: They will need supplemental hay, especially in the winter. If you purchase your hay, you need a place to store it. You also may need to pay a premium to be able to buy hay easily at any time of the year if you don’t have space to store large numbers of bales. Or perhaps you can grow your own.
Starting with a Small Herd
Livestock keepers recommend starting with two goats from the same herd if you’re new to the world of goat keeping. Goats like company, so a minimum of two is important for their wellbeing. A larger amount is overwhelming for a newbie keeper - because mischievous goats are clever enough to find the escape routes!
Goats enjoy being in a herd, so they typically won't be happy by themselves. That means that you should get at least 2 goats to start out with so that you won't have one lonely goat. However, if you're new to raising goats, don't overwhelm yourself.
Feeding and Nutrition
Goats are herbivores that eat plant matter, but they have a reputation for eating anything! Their inquisitive nature does mean they will chew on odd things like plastic and clothing. This habit of chewing means a trash-free enclosure is important.
Read also: Parishes of Uganda Explained
Goats predominantly eat roughage so that’s grass, hay, weeds, tree bark, shoots, and leaves. Goats have a four-chambered stomach to help process food and they chew cud which is regurgitated food.
Goats find their food by grazing and exploring their environment. In an enclosure, they will mow the grass down, nibble bushes, and reach over fences to sample overhanging vegetation. In the wild, a goat will eat whatever it can to survive.
On average an adult goat forages for 5-6 hours a day and eats 4% of its body weight. As curious herbivores goats will eat pretty much any vegetation you give them, but they have a clear preference for nutritionally rich foods. Much like us, goats prefer tasty food.
Nigerian dwarf goats do well on an equal mix of leguminous hay and grass hay. Grass hay includes timothy and orchard grass and is lower in protein. Leguminous hay includes alfalfa and clover and is higher in protein. Foraging is also good for goats, and they prefer to forage in woody areas. While it's not necessary for a healthy goat, allowing foraging can cut back on your food bills.
Toxic Vegetation
Some vegetation is toxic to goats, including mountain and laurel ferns, azaleas, and rhododendrons. You need a grain mix meant particularly for goats because they have nutritional needs that other livestock do not. For instance, they need copper in their feed while sheep do not.
Read also: Overview of Chad ISPs
Alongside poisonous weeds like ragwort, goats can’t eat chocolate, avocado, holly, wild cherries, lilacs, azaleas, and any nightshade greenery.
Creating a Safe and Stimulating Environment
Goat enrichment is a way of mentally stimulating goats so they can live a happier life. Happy goats mean more milk, kids, and fun. Good examples are brushes to rub against, barrels to jump on, and even tough footballs they can kick and push.
Your goats will get just as bored as a dog or cat if they don't have toys. However, toys for goats are quite a bit different. You can even use things like old cars or furniture. While goats will chew on a variety of things, they typically won't eat throw non-food items if you're feeding them properly.
When getting goats, make sure you have enough room for them to romp around and play, and provide them with a sturdy enclosure to keep them in their area. Even mini goats need a decent amount of space.
Fencing
Solid wood fencing is a good choice, as long as it's reinforced with sunken wood posts. Your goats will run their sides along the fence when winter is over to get their shedding fur off, and they'll do it over and over again, which is why your fence needs to be sturdy.
General Care and Maintenance
Goats are relatively picky about their food. They won't eat it if it falls on the ground and they step on it. They also won't eat it if they use the bathroom too close to it. Purchase a manger that is an appropriate size for your smaller goats; they only get about 20 inches (51 cm) tall. They can't eat the food if they can't reach it.
A good option is a manger with bars close enough together to keep the hay in and the goats' heads out. The bars are angled at a "V," and you place the hay inside, where they can pull it out through the cracks.
Trim your goats' hooves every month and a half. If you're not confident doing this yourself, you can pay someone to trim the goats' hooves. Even if you are keeping dwarf goats in the city, they're still considered farm animals.
Health Management
Typically, you should have your goats' horns removed to protect them from themselves. They can injure other goats in your herd with their horns. If you wait longer than a few days after birth, it's more traumatizing to the goat. You should have your vet give vaccinations once a year, and they can advise you on which vaccinations you'll need.
Breeding Considerations
Typically, does go into heat every 21 to 28 days all year round. This period lasts 1-3 days each time. A doe will make a lot of noise while in heat. She'll also pace, wag her tail, and try to get to any nearby bucks.
If you just have does, it's a good idea to pay someone to bring a buck in to impregnate them. That way, you can get a quality buck without having to pay a lot of money to own one. The best quality bucks will be registered, such as those registered with the American Dairy Goat Association.
Signs of Pregnancy
It's difficult to spot pregnancy on a goat from physical signs. You may notice a larger abdomen on the right side, or the doe might get swollen ankles and become cranky. However, every doe will exhibit different symptoms.
Watch for signs your doe is getting ready to give birth soon. She'll develop a more pronounced udder that feels almost hard to the touch. When they start giving birth, they'll call out, and you'll hear straining and pushing sounds.
Nigerian Dwarf Goat Breed Profile
Nigerian Dwarf goats are known for their striking coat colors and patterns, which contribute to their unique and charming appearance. The breed exhibits a wide range of colors, including black, white, gold, red, and brown.
In addition to solid colors, Nigerian Dwarf goats can have various patterns and markings, such as spotted, pied, and roan. These diverse coat colors and patterns make each Nigerian Dwarf goat uniquely beautiful, adding to their appeal as both pets and show animals.
Temperament and Behavior
Nigerian Dwarf goats are known for their friendly and playful personalities. They are curious and intelligent, often forming strong bonds with their human caregivers and enjoying interactive play. Their small size and gentle nature make them approachable and easy to handle.
These goats are highly social animals and thrive in the company of other goats. They enjoy being part of a herd and can become lonely or stressed if kept alone. They are also known for their vocal nature, using various sounds to communicate with their herd and human companions.
Health and Care
Nigerian Dwarf goats are considered to be a versatile and hardy breed as they can thrive in nearly any climate. Common health issues include parasites, respiratory infections, coccidiosis, bloat, and hoof problems.
To ensure your Nigerian Dwarf goats stay healthy and happy, consider these routine care practices: regular veterinary checkups, hoof trimming, vaccinations, and parasite control.
| Breed Characteristic | Description |
|---|---|
| Size | Small, 17-21 inches at the shoulder |
| Coat Colors | Black, White, Gold, Red, Brown, and various patterns |
| Temperament | Friendly, playful, social |
| Lifespan | 11-16 years |
| Health | Hardy, but prone to parasites and hoof issues |
| Housing | Requires shelter and at least 135 sq ft per goat |
| Feeding | Hay, grass, and goat-specific grain mix |
