Nigerian Dwarf Goats
Tiny goats, huge personalities.
Nigerian Dwarf goats may be small in size, but they are true dairy goats with a big reputation in the dairy world. Known for their friendly personalities, compact size and delicious rich milk, these little goats have quickly become a favourite for small farms and hobby dairies around the world.
The History of Nigerian Dwarf Goats
Nigerian Dwarf goats originally trace their roots back to West Africa, where small goats were commonly kept by villages for both milk and meat. These hardy little goats adapted well to warm climates and became valued for their ability to produce milk despite their small size.
In the early 20th century, some of these miniature goats were brought to the United States on ships transporting exotic animals for zoos. While many of them initially ended up in zoos, farmers soon recognised that these tiny goats had excellent dairy potential.
Breeders began carefully selecting animals for consistent size, strong dairy traits and improved milk production and over time the Nigerian Dwarf goat became a recognised miniature dairy breed. Today they are loved around the world for their rich milk, manageable size and wonderful personalities.
In Australia, the Nigerian Dwarf dairy goat industry is still relatively small compared to other dairy breeds. Because of this, finding 100% pure Nigerian Dwarf goats with strong dairy genetics can sometimes be challenging.
Over the years, passionate breeders across the country have worked hard to establish and improve Nigerian Dwarf dairy lines, focusing on milk production, conformation and temperament.
At No Eye Deer Farm we are passionate about building a herd of 100% pure Nigerian Dwarf goats with strong dairy genetics.
The breed is still growing in South Australia, sourcing the right animals has taken time and patience. We have carefully selected our goats from reputable breeders who have spent many years developing excellent milking lines across Australia.
Our goal is to continue building a herd that not only produces beautiful rich milk but also represents the wonderful temperament and character that Nigerian Dwarf goats are known for
Milk Production
Because of its high butterfat, Nigerian milk is often compared to Jersey cow milk in richness
Even though Nigerian Dwarf goats are one of the smallest dairy goat breeds, they are capable of producing impressive amounts of milk for their size.
A typical Nigerian Dwarf doe can produce between 1–2 litres of milk per day, depending on genetics, nutrition and stage of lactation.
One of the most special things about Nigerian milk is its high butterfat content, which usually ranges from 6–10%. This makes the milk incredibly rich and creamy compared to many larger dairy breeds.
Because of this high butterfat, Nigerian milk is excellent for making:
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Cheese
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Yogurt
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Butter
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Ice cream
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Soap and skincare products
It’s a wonderful option for families wanting to enjoy fresh dairy products straight from their own farm.
Life With Nigerian Dwarf Goats
One thing many people don’t realise is that just because Nigerian Dwarf goats are dairy goats, it doesn’t mean you are automatically committed to milking every morning and night.
There are several ways people manage dairy goats and you can choose what works best for your lifestyle and your animals.
Some owners choose to milk their goats twice a day and bottle raise the kids. In this system, the milk is collected from the doe and then fed to the kids by bottle. This allows people to closely monitor how much the kids are drinking and manage the milk supply.
Others prefer kid sharing, where the kids stay with their mum and drink milk during the day, while the owner milks the doe once a day or separates the kids overnight to collect milk in the morning. If you happen to miss a milking, the kids simply do the milking for you. And of course, some people choose to leave the kids with their mum full time and not milk at all, simply enjoying the goats for their personalities and the role they play on the farm.
There’s no single “right” way to manage dairy goats. The most important thing is finding a system that works for both your lifestyle and the wellbeing of your animals.
Despite their small size, Nigerian Dwarf goats have huge personalities. They are curious, social and often quite mischievous, which makes them endlessly entertaining to have around the farm. They love interaction with people and quickly become part of the daily rhythm of farm life.
Like all goats, they are intelligent animals that enjoy climbing, exploring and investigating anything new in their environment.
Nigerian Dwarf goats have become incredibly popular with small farms and hobby farmers because they offer the benefits of a dairy goat without needing large amounts of space or feed.
Thinking About Nigerian Dwarf Goats?
At the moment we don’t have any goats available, however we are hoping to welcome Nigerian Dwarf kids around August.
If you would love to add Nigerian Dwarf goats to your farm, you are very welcome to join our waitlist so we can keep you updated when kids arrive.
All of our goats are registered and come with pedigree papers, giving you confidence in their genetics and breeding background.
As a guide, our pricing generally starts from:
• Does and Bucks – from $3,000
• Wethers – from $300
If you’re interested in learning more or joining our waitlist, please feel free to get in touch with us.
