If you are thinking about owning goats, you could do a lot worse than to consider the Nigerian Dwarf. These guys are playful and hilarious and rather easy to own. I’m over two years into owning Nigerians and I have to say, I love them. I think they are easier to own than dogs, perhaps on par with a large cat that lives outside and eats hay. Here are some reasons I love them.
Why I love my Nigerian Dwarf goats:
- They are small. If you live on a small amount of acreage, but are interested in owning goats, Nigerians are great for that. In order to have a small herd of Nigerians, you only need about an acre. As far as penned off area, an ideal size is about 200-250 square feet per goat. A small three sided shelter will keep them warm and dry. If you have predators, a structure that can lock them up might be necessary or a livestock guardian dog/animal. Did you know llamas are great livestock guardian animals?
- They are hysterical to watch. Even my two year old does sprint randomly and kick their feet. Baby Nigerians are even more fun to watch. They are spirited, energetic and sometimes naughty–ok a lot of times naughty!
- They clear brush like a mother. I don’t know what that phrase means, but it’s true. When we put our first goats in their new pen, it was full of weeds, small trees, vines and other brush. Today it’s bald. We let them out to browse when we’re outside and they tear after those weeds and vines like they’re gourmet salad greens prepared by a Michelin chef. Larger goats can obviously clear brush faster, but don’t discount these smaller goats!
- Their milk is really good. Like, for real. I hate milk. But I like Nigerian dwarf milk better than cow milk. Two of my boys will take goat milk over most any other beverage. The other one is three. Enough said. Their milk has a higher butterfat content than even whole cow’s milk, which is what makes it creamy and sweet. I’ve used the milk to make cheese and goat milk soap. It’s wonderful.
- Because of their smaller size, the feed bill is comparably lower than larger goats.
To be fair, let’s talk about the cons of Nigerian Dwarf goats:
- There aren’t any.
- Just kidding. They are sometimes naughty. They like to nibble (most goats do) on your clothes. They are escape artists. Their smaller size makes containing them more difficult because they can squeeze through smaller spaces. They can jump pretty high and can use any surface to jump to another surface. You have to make sure there isn’t anything they can jump or climb on close to the edge of the fence because they’ll hop right over.
Honestly, that’s it. Any other con to owning goats can be said for any other breed of goat. They are stubborn, loud on occasion, and naughty. I truly think they are easier to own than dogs because dogs require a lot of attention. All your goats want is your food. And their food. And everyone’s food.
I’d have to agree with everything you said!!! We love our goats!!
Us too!