Mini Nubian goats, are a breed created from cross breeding Nigerian Dwarf and Nubian goats. This hybrid results in a medium sized goat that is characteristic of easy milking and quality milk production. This breed is ideal for a homesteader or small farm.
Physical Characteristics
Miniature Nubians retain many of the characteristics of a standard Nubian. Their appearances, when properly bred, should resemble that of the Nubian more than the Nigerian. This includes long floppy ears and a convex nose. The also should have a strong mammary system which is what makes them appealing to homesteaders or those who want a goat easily milked by hand.
Purebred Mini Nubian Goats
There are several qualifications that must be met for a goat to be considered a true pure bred Miniature Nubian. Some of these are based on their family tree and genetics, and others are physical standards that must be met.
Genetic Requirements
The first being, that the animal must be a 6th generation cross. It takes 6 generations to produce a purebred, during which time any combination of Nubian, Mini Nubian, or Nigerian Dwarf goats may be selected for breeding to encourage the desired traits to meet breed standard. However, to be a purebred, the animal must also fit within a 30-70 percent mixture range, with not less than 30% or more than 70% of their genetics coming from one single parent breed.
Physical Requirements
Once the ancestral genetics and generation qualifications are met, the goat must also meet certain physical criteria. The first phycial characteristic to note is the ears. The length of the ears much reach past the end of their nose, and the ears must hang pendulous. The second physical characteristic is a convex nose. To determine whether a nose in convex, imagine if you were to draw a the line from the top of the head to the tip of the nose. To meet Mini Nubian standards the line would either need to be flat or arched upward. Finally, to be considered “mini” they must also not exceed the maximum height requirements which are 29 inches for does and 31 inches for bucks.
Registration
Once all these qualifications have been met, the Mini Nubian can then be registered through the Miniature Dairy Goat Association (MDGA).
Looking for More Information on Goats?
See my post on how to bottle feed a goat.
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