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Urban Farming. Healthy Living.

This is Why You’ll Fall in Love with Nigerian Dwarf Goats

Published: | Last Updated: 36 Comments

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They’re adorable, they’re naughty, and odds are you’ll be taking one home soon.

Nigerian Dwarf goats are the puppies of the goat world, and they’re becoming the goat to get. With their small, furry bodies and zest for jumping on everything, they’re pretty much irresistible.

So, where does this breed originate from and why are they rising in popularity? Well, that’s where I (the Nigerian Dwarf goat expert) comes in. 8 years ago when we dove into the world of goat-ownership, we fell in love with Nigerian dwarf goats, and since then I’ve made it my mission to share that love with the world.

Because who can resist a little fluffball goaty best friend?

Little Milking Machines

The number one trait of Nigerian dwarf goats is the outstanding flavor of their milk. While store bought goat’s milk can taste slightly gamey as it sits in the fridge, Nigerian dwarf goat’s milk stays sweet and clean. This makes it perfect for a new goat owner, who might be wary about keeping everybody in the family happy on goat’s milk.

When we brought our first goat home, we were all a little worried about the flavor of the milk, but we’ve been happy to report that it’s taste is outstanding and definitely the best of the best.

This little breed is also perfect for backyard goat owners, who might be concerned about limits in space. Some people have even been able to register these little goats as pets so they can avoid city or HOA laws.

 

Facts about Nigerian Dwarf Goats

How much milk does a Nigerian Dwarf Goat Produce?

A goat’s milk supply will fluctuate throughout the year, depending on how long it’s been since she’s had her baby goats. At a Nigerian Dwarf goat’s peak (a few weeks after she delivers her babies) she can produce up to a half gallon a day. During the year following the birth of her babies, her milk will slowly decrease and hover around a quart a day for most of the year until it’s time to dry her up and breed her again. We use these little stainless steel pails to milk our Nigerian Dwarf goats.

What do they eat?

Goats eat primarily hay or pasture. They love variety so they’ll eat up your trees, bushes, & weeds before they’ll nibble on the grass. People also give goats a small handful of grain during milking time to boost production. It’s really common for new goat owners to overfeed on grain, so be sure to keep that to a minimum if this is your first time with goats. Goats love treats like these as well.

How big do Nigerian Dwarf Goats get?

A Nigerian Dwarf goat full grown will be roughly 70 lbs and 18-22 inches tall. As a baby they are the size of a puppy and basically grow to the size of a large dog. Perfectly lovable throughout their lives.

How much space & fencing do they need?

One goat needs 250 sq ft. of space but goats are herd animals and always need a buddy, so at the minimum, you’ll need to get two goats and keep them in a 500 sq ft. or bigger pen. Goats love to spend their days in the pasture nibbling at weeds and chewing their cud in the shade, so the more space you can give them, the better. Anywhere that you don’t want goats, you’ll need at least a 5 ft. tall fence to keep these escape artists from doing what they do best — jump and climb.

Nigerian Dwarf Goat lifespan

Goats on average live about 7-10 years, and the same can be said for Nigerians. If you plan on breeding your Nigerian dwarf goat, be sure to stop at year 7, as birthing problems can arise in older goats.

 

What’s the difference between a Nigerian dwarf goat and a Pygmy goat?

To the novice goat owner, a Nigerian Dwarf & Pygmy goat seem almost identical. However, there are some big differences between these two little breeds. Pygmy goats tend to be stockier and have smaller teats. This makes them difficult to raise for milking purposes. Pygmy goats typically are used for pets or in meat production. Think of Nigerian Dwarf goats as stellar mini-milkers.

Nigerian Dwarf Goats for Sale

When looking for the perfect Nigerian Dwarf goat to join your family, most sellers & breeders list sales of their goats on Craigslist. When visiting farms, be sure you’re getting a goat that has been tested for these diseases and that you have paperwork on their blood lines. Most goat owners can provide this information and in my opinion, it helps make sure you are getting one that comes from a healthy, well-cared-for farm.

Download my FREE “Getting Started with Goats” guide

Be sure to download my free guide below so you feel completely prepared as you venture into the goat world!

ABOUT DANELLE

DaNelle started to take an interest in a healthier lifestyle after suffering from two debilitating chronic diseases. On a mission to create a farm of her own, DaNelle forced, or rather 'lovingly persuaded' her husband to purchase a ranch home on an acre of land and transform it into their very own urban farm. DaNelle blogs at Weed 'em & Reap where she writes about the sustainable backyard farming, traditional food, & natural remedies.

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Comments

  1. Krysti says

    WE LOVE LOVE LOVE your family and all you do! I was wondering do you have anything on the site that shows what you do with the goats milk? I work a 8-5 office job and seriously thinking about leaving and just homesteading. We have nigerian goats and chickens but turning it more into a lifestyle. I love your site as i feel like im learning so much. I want to make sure its the right decision but you really inspire me.

    Reply

  2. Tarek Halloun says

    my nigerian dwarf doe had 2 little goats who were barely breathing and died in an hour .. they looked premature
    what can be the cause of this ?!

    Reply

  3. STEVE says

    DaNelle,
    Do you have your own Nigerian dwarf male for breeding? If not, is there someone who has studs you recommend? We have 2 Nigerian dwarf does we want to breed. We are in contact with someone but want choices. Send to private email.
    Your farm and the animals look cool.
    Thanks.

    Reply

    • Bobbi says

      Hi Steve-

      DaNelle does have her own buck now. She plans on studding him out starting spring 2021, but only allows does to come to her place, as the buck will not be leaving the property.

      Thank you -Bobbi (DaNelle’s Assistant)

      Reply

      • grace gottlieb says

        he is soooo nice. he is a chocolate polled boy. he is from blue cactus dairy goats so of course he is nice. he is by merle ( a beautifully built buck) out of little bit (whose mom Is lacy. lacy throws large teats) so he should be uber nice. 🙂

  4. Cate says

    Our sheep are ariving tommorow and still deciding wether to get two does or not can you give me some reasons why to get nigerians

    Reply

  5. Scarlet says

    The Nigerian dwarf goats are so cute! I totally want a couple but I don’t think my HOA would approve! They have a few at the petting zoo so I will have to get my fix there. Thanks for sharing the beautiful goat pics so I could enjoy them vicariously.

    Reply

  6. Julie Kidd says

    I got my DN in March of this year. She was with a buck Dec to March. I was told she was pregnant. I have been treating her as such…. I’m not sure she is pregnant. But hopeful she is. Her utter is swelling a little bit but not large by any means. Do you feed your DN pellets once a day or twice?

    Reply

  7. Vanessa says

    Hello,
    We are proud new/novice owners of 3 ND goats, 1 momma (3yrs) and 2 of her male babies (almost 4mo).
    Unfortunately they don’t live with us, they live at grandpa and grandmas and we don’t see them everyday. When last seeing them I noticed momma had “black spots” in her eyes and she looked like she lost weight as well as “clumpy” looking poo. The boys are still nursing and we don’t milk her. We do plan on taking her to vet asap.
    Thank you for any suggestions and your website.
    Vanessa

    Reply

    • Bobbi says

      Hi Vanessa-
      I’m not sure exactly what you mean by black spots in her eyes. If you mean around them, it could be a parasite (lice of mites) and she will need to be treated for that. Parasites both external and internal can cause a goat to drop weight and affect their digestive system. She may also have a nutritional deficiency on top of that due to parasite overload and/or improper feeding.
      Here are some tips on how to treat her if those are the issues:
      https://www.weedemandreap.com/optimal-nutritional-goat-diet/

      Glad you are having the vet check her out, this is your best option.
      Best wishes for your goats!
      Thank you -Bobbi (DaNelle’s Assistant)

      Reply

  8. Hope says

    Hi! I just have to say thank you! Why? Well, it all began about 2 years ago when I started watching your Youtube channel. Where I live we have very long winters and Spring never seems to arrive and somehow watching your videos helped me make it through the cold, dreary, weather dreaming of the day I would own a goat or 2. That’s when it all started. My goat obsession! It just so happened that a friend of a friend needed someone to clean her barn. My hardworking teen stepped up to take the job and that’s how I found out she had some goats. I was so excited to kinda know a goat lady. Well, don’t ya know she ended up needing someone to watch her animals and asked if we knew anyone who wanted to learn how to milk a goat. Guess who volunteered! Yep- ME! Long story short, I couldn’t stop asking my husband for goats! I basically needed them to survive. Not really, but close! Now for the good part. My husband surprised me this Mother’s Day weekend with 2 Nigerian Dwarf goats! Oh the JOY! What a great husband I have! I thought you would appreciate hearing how you and your love of goats has spread across the country and will soon be bringing me and hopefully my family lots of goaty fun! Thank you!!!

    Reply

    • Bobbi says

      Hi Hope-
      That is a wonderful story! I’m so glad you got your goats!
      I hope everything goes well for you. Thank you for sharing and for the kind words!
      Best wishes!
      -Bobbi (DaNelle’s Assistant)

      Reply

  9. Rachel Cook says

    We are getting our first two goats this weekend! We are so excited and have been watching your youtube channel trying to prep ourselves for our new additions! We are trying to grow our urban homestead and we thought there was no better addition for us than these adorable little things! Your channel has gotten us excited about them! Thanks for all of the info you have put out there

    Reply

  10. Samantha Houde says

    They are seriously the best! We have two, a mom and her daughter, and they are the funniest creatures! They were an extremely welcome addition to our homestead. Thank you for all your knowledge!

    Reply

  11. Rebekah says

    Hi, not sure how this works, whether I need to come back here to this site to get the answer. But, I’m a new viewer and have been bing watching but, I’m curious what happen to sweet Willow? I don’t see her any more.
    Thanks, Rebekah

    Reply

  12. Isabelle says

    Hi! I’ve been researching goats and been thinking about getting two Nigerians as pets (your website has been very helpful btw) (;. We don’t live on a farm, but have a little over an acre that would be a suitable amount of space for them. Our backyard is surrounded by woods, where our neighbors wouldn’t be able to see them, however I have a few concerns. Is it normal to raise Nigerian dwarf goats without living on a farm? Do I need to worry about our neighbors complaining about them being loud or should they be mellow as long as there are two of them? I was thinking of during the day keeping them in an electric pen that we can move around in the woods area, but we have coyotes, foxes, and bears so would this not be a safe idea? Also, my brother rides dirtbikes with a few of his friends, and they sometimes ride through a trail in our backyard so would this spook the goats too much?
    Sorry for all those questions lol, but thanks so much in advance for all your help!

    Reply

    • Bobbi says

      Hi Isabelle-
      So exciting you are thinking about getting a couple of ND goats! They are so sweet and cute!
      I’m not sure exactly what your living situation is, but it does sound like you have plenty of room. However, if you are close enough to neighbors to worry about them, make sure you check any city, county, or HOA rules, regulations, ordinances, or laws about the keeping of goats in your area. This article DaNelle wrote can help out with this: https://www.weedemandreap.com/hoa-approved-backyard-farm/

      If it’s all legal, then you don’t have a lot to worry about with your neighbors. Goats may be noisy the first few days, but once they settle in they are pretty quiet, unless something is bothering them. Although, it never hurts to communicate with your neighbors, just to give them a heads up, or invite them over to see the little darlings! Plus, if you ever milk your goats you can always share a little milk too! I would also suggest you only look at getting does or wethers, as bucks can be stinky, aggressive, and more of a problem.

      As for the predators, I am afraid that they (especially the bears) will eat your goats and the electric fence may do no good. I’d keep them closer to home unless you are literally watching them and can protect them.

      The dirt bikes, and similar noises, can scare goats, but usually they get used to it. I know that all of mine got used to the tractors and ATVs we drove around. So I am assuming the dirt bikes would be the same.

      I hope this information helps! Best of luck and Happy Goating! -Bobbi (DaNelle’s Assistant)

      Reply

  13. Paris says

    I was wanting to get a goat as a pet and was very interested in nigerian dwarf goats however i dont want to milk the goats every morning as i do not have time to do this, if i buy baby goats and do not breed them will the produce milk, is there any way i can stop them producing milk ?? Great article btw very helpful!!

    Reply

    • Bobbi says

      Hi Paris-
      If you do not breed your goats and they never has kids, they will not be freshened (start producing milk). Even if you did breed your goats and they had kids and began producing milk, this does not mean you have to milk them. The babies will nurse, and when they stop nursing the doe will dry up. So, you can have goats and not milk them.
      If you do choose to get some goaties just be sure to have enough space for them and feed them appropriately. Here are a couple of DaNelle’s articles that can provide you with that information and help get you started.
      https://www.weedemandreap.com/how-much-space-need-raise-goats/
      https://www.weedemandreap.com/what-do-goats-eat/

      I hope this helps. Best wishes and Happy Goating! -Bobbi (DaNelle’s Assistant)

      Reply

  14. Evan says

    Hi,
    I have had goats for almost a year now, but never before experienced the delight of kids. Our two does both had twins; three boys and a doe. We’re planning on dehorning and banding the boys then selling them, and keeping the girl. Everything is going great, mamas are bonding with their kids, but I have a couple questions.
    We let each mama go outside with their kids every day for a couple of hours. Planning to permanently move them outside when they hit the age of a week old. They’re in stalls right now. Anyways, is it typical for the moms to hide their babies somewhere then leave them and go off and graze? Babies are usually asleep when mama leads us to them.
    Also, only hours after giving birth, do does usually have some vaginal bleeding after they drop the placenta?
    And what age does the umbilical cord usually fall off?
    Thanks so much.

    Reply

  15. Amanda says

    So glad I came across this site! We just purchased an old farmhouse on 2 acres and starting our homesteading journey, with absolutely NO prior experience. lol. we have baby chicks coming, but I have been trying to decide whether to go with goats or a cow eventually. I think I’ve settled on nigerian goats because i hear they can give you cream. Do you find you get cream from yours? I worry that a cow will be too expensive for us to feed on our one income. Your post just makes me want nigerian goats even more!

    Reply

    • Bobbi says

      Hi Amanda-
      That’s fantastic on your farm purchase and your plans! So excited for you! Here is a link to an article DaNelle wrote about milking goats just so you can get to know the basics, plus there are links in that article to some of DaNelle’s other really helpful articles: https://www.weedemandreap.com/buying-milking-goats/
      As for cream from goats you can get cream from them if you let your milk sit for up to a week. Although you can also buy a cream separator to separate the cream from the milk. They usually work well. Here is a link to an article DaNelle wrote. It’s actually about making butter, but goes into the cream and the separation of it, and has a link to a cream separator if you are looking to buy one. https://www.weedemandreap.com/making-goat-butter-with-goat-milk/
      I hope this information helps! Best of luck and Happy Goating! -Bobbi (DaNelle’s Assistant)

      Reply

  16. Ruthie says

    Nigerian Dwarf goats are the breed I have decided to go with, when we are ready to add dairy goats to the family! Positive they will be happy on our two acres, because our property is surrounded by forest and wild Chinese raspberry canes!

    Reply

    • Bobbi says

      Hi Ruthie-
      That is fantastic about the ND goats! And wow on the forest and wild Chinese raspberry canes! I may just be jealous of your goats. 🙂
      Thanks for reading and posting! Best of luck and Happy Goating! -Bobbi (DaNelle’s Assistant)

      Reply

  17. SS says

    I hear many people say that the Nigerians are hard to milk due to their small size and that you should avoid them if milk is what you want. Your video is saying that they’re not…. So did you look for a line that has good sized teets or were you just lucky to find easy milkers?

    Also, wondering if you’ve ever used a milking machine and if you recommend one that will work with the little ladies?

    Thanks 🙂

    Reply

    • Bobbi says

      Hi SS-
      As for milking Nigerian Dwarfs (ND), I haven’t found that they are more difficult than a larger size goat to milk. However you won’t get as much milk from a ND as you would a larger breed of dairy goat.
      Here is a link to one of DaNelle’s videos on choosing a milking goats. The video discusses the udders, etc. and is very useful to watch if you are thinking about getting ND: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EpjR4R2rF3I

      Here are also a few articles I think would be useful if you are considering dairy goats of any kind.
      https://www.weedemandreap.com/raising-goats-milking-goats/
      https://www.weedemandreap.com/how-to-milk-a-goat/
      https://www.weedemandreap.com/does-goats-milk-taste-bad/

      As for using a milking machine, this is not something I am overly familiar with. I have used a friend’s a couple of times, but don’t know the brand, and I was milking Nubians. The machine was very nice and milked very quickly, but for me personally, I just find it hard to invest in a milking machine because they can get pretty pricey and it just wasn’t feasible to spend the money on the few goats I was milking.
      I hope this helps! Best of luck and Happy Goating! -Bobbi (DaNelle’s Assistant)

      Reply

      • SS says

        Yes, thank you 🙂

        On the milking machines, I know some folks that have used the simple ones that are suction with a canning jar rather than the actual electric versions. I’ve always wondered how well they do and if they are a reasonable item or if it would be just as quick to just do it by hand.

      • Bobbi says

        Hi SS-
        I can’t say that I have used the hand-held suction machines. What I do know about them is that some are hand operated and others are battery operated, and are priced accordingly. If you do choose to use one, make sure it has a pressure gauge and release valve. This will allow for milking your doe with less risk of injury. If you think it is something you want to try, go for it, just buy from a reputable company and follow the instructions. Good luck! If you try it, or someone else has, let us know. Thanks -Bobbi

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