Nigerian Dwarf goat
Template:Short description Template:Infobox goat breed
The Nigerian Dwarf is a modern American breed of dwarf goat. Like the American Pygmy Goat, it derives from the West African Dwarf group of breeds of West Africa.[1]Template:R/superscript
History
Between about 1930 and 1960 a variety of small goats of the West African Dwarf group of breeds were imported from Africa to the United States to be exhibited in zoos.[2]Template:R/superscript The Nigerian Dwarf, like the American Pygmy Goat, derives from these, but does not resemble the stocky West African Dwarf in conformation – it has been bred to have the appearance of a miniature dairy goat.[1]Template:R/superscript[3]Template:R/superscript It was at first reared as a show breed and companion animal; selection was for appearance and for docility.[2]Template:R/superscript It was later found to be suitable for small-scale dairy production, and some breeding was directed towards dairy qualities.[2]Template:R/superscript A herd-book was established in 1980.[4]Template:R/superscript
Numbers grew rapidly; by 2002 there were almost Script error: No such module "val". head registered.[2]Template:R/superscript The breed was recognized by the American Dairy Goat Association in 2005.[3]Template:R/superscript The Nigerian Dwarf was formerly listed on the heritage breeds watchlist of the Livestock Conservancy as "recovering",[2]Template:R/superscript but was removed from the list in 2013.[5]Template:R/superscript
In 2023 the total number of the goats in the United States was just under Script error: No such module "val".;[4]Template:R/superscript populations numbering Script error: No such module "val". head are reported by Australia and Canada.[6]Template:R/superscript In 2024 the international conservation status of the breed was "not at risk".[6]Template:R/superscript
In the 1990s the Nigora breed was created by cross-breeding the Nigerian Dwarf with Angora and other mohair breeds.[1]Template:R/superscript
Characteristics
The Nigerian Dwarf is small but well-proportioned; its conformation resembles that of larger dairy goats.[1]Template:R/superscript It may be horned or naturally hornless.[2]Template:R/superscript The coat is fine and fairly short, and may be of any color, or multicolored;[2]Template:R/superscript common colors are gold, chocolate and black, frequently with white markings. The facial profile may be concave or straight; the ears are upright.[1]Template:R/superscript The average weight is approximately Script error: No such module "convert"., while maximum height is about Script error: No such module "convert". for males and slightly less for females;[1]Template:R/superscript stock bred for dairy performance may be rather larger than show or companion animals.[2]Template:R/superscript
It is a precocious breed – young stock may be bred from an early age: males from about three months, females from seven or eight months.[7]Template:R/superscript The gestation period is in the range 145–153 days;[7]Template:R/superscript the twinning rate is high, and triplet and quadruplet births are not uncommon.[1]Template:R/superscript[2]Template:R/superscript Life expectancy is from eight to 12 years.[7]Template:R/superscript
Use
The Nigerian Dwarf was originally bred for show and as a companion animal. It was later also bred for dairy use.[2]Template:R/superscript Average milk yield of dairy stock is Script error: No such module "convert". per year;[8]Template:R/superscript a yield of Script error: No such module "convert". in a lactation of 305 days was recorded in 2018.[9]Template:R/superscript Lactation usually lasts for about ten months.[2]Template:R/superscript The milk is high in butterfat and protein, averaging 6.5% and 3.9% respectively,[8]Template:R/superscript and is suitable for making cheese and butter.[2]Template:R/superscript
See also
- Sunflower Farm, a Nigerian Dwarf goat farm
References
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- ↑ a b c d e f g Valerie Porter, Lawrence Alderson, Stephen J.G. Hall, D. Phillip Sponenberg (2016). Mason's World Encyclopedia of Livestock Breeds and Breeding (sixth edition). Wallingford: CABI. Template:ISBN.
- ↑ a b c d e f g h i j k l Nigerian Dwarf Goat. American Livestock Breeds Conservancy (now The Livestock Conservancy). Archived 7 March 2010.
- ↑ a b Jerry Belanger, Sara Thomson Bredesen (2010). Storey's Guide to Raising Dairy Goats, 4th Edition: Breeds, Care, Dairying, Marketing. North Adams, Massachusetts: Storey Publishing. Template:Isbn.
- ↑ a b Breed data sheet: Nigerian Dwarf / United States of America (Goat). Domestic Animal Diversity Information System of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations. Accessed August 2024.
- ↑ 2013 Changes to the Conservation Priority List. The Livestock Conservancy. Archived 30 October 2013.
- ↑ a b Transboundary breed: Nigerian Dwarf. Domestic Animal Diversity Information System of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations. Accessed August 2024.
- ↑ a b c Dwarf Nigerian Goat. Birmingham, Alabama: Birmingham Zoo. Accessed December 2019.
- ↑ a b Y.W. Park and G.F.W. Haenlein (2010). Milk Production. In: Sandra Golpashini Solaiman (editor) (2010). Goat Science and Production. Ames, Iowa: Wiley-Blackwell. Template:Isbn, pages 275–292.
- ↑ ADGA 2019 Performance Breed Leaders, volume 66. American Dairy Goat Association. Accessed September 2021.
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