Owning a goat has never been easier, and the choices of breeds to choose from can make things difficult- especially if you’re a newbie. The Miniature Nubian Dairy Goat is an example of one of the unique kinds you’ll come across. A Mini Nubian Goat is the creation of a 50/50 cross between a Nigerian Dwarf Dairy Goat and a Nubian Dairy Goat.
Mini Nubian Goats can make the ideal pet companion, thanks to their cool and calm temperament. They’re friendly animals, so you don’t need to worry about your existing household pets not getting along. And they’re relatively active, so if you’re looking for that little extra attention from a pet- look no further!
Aside from their great personality and behavioral traits, Mini Nubian Goats also produce some of the best milk. This particular cross-breed tends to have potential owners giving up their land to accommodate such animals- and we can understand why… they’re awesome! To continue learning about Mini Nubian Goats, carry on reading.
Mini Nubian Goats as Pets
Some of the reasons why Mini Nubian Goats make as ideal pets:
- They have a docile, friendly, and sociable behavior/temperament
- Maintenance and ownership costs are reasonable
- You’ll have your own supply of milk! (If you decide to breed)
- They’re active and can be taught different commands
- Your children will love them!
- Their life expectancy range is longer than some other household pets
- They’re adorable in appearance with cute floppy ears
Aside from the fluffy-positives listed above, you’re most likely wondering- “well, what’s the catch?” And you’re right, not every animal is perfect. No matter what breed of goat you choose to purchase, there’ll always be things you’ll learn new about them every day.
With that being said, let’s briefly cover some additional points we think you’ll want to know about owning a Mini Nubian Goat as a pet.
- They’re noisy- like, very noisy
- Mini Nubian Goats should be purchased in pairs (when possible)
- STINKY
- They’re jumpers, and sometimes pushers… (so look out for your fences)
- At risk of certain diseases
If you’re happy to push those points (mentioned above) to the side and focus on the positives- then there’s one last step we recommend you do. Do a little extra research.
Many Mini Nubian Goat owners and enthusiasts recommend that first-time buyers spend as long as they can, reading as many articles about this mixed-breed as possible. This way, potential owners fully understand what they’re getting themselves in for.
If you’re eager to learn more about the Mini Nubian Goat, continue reading!
Costs of Owning a Mini Nubian Goat
It will influence your overall cost of ownership, depending on what you choose to do with your Mini Nubian. Meaning, if you only want tasty milk (and don’t plan on breeding)- your costs of ownership will be lower than someone who’s looking to breed for shows.
The price expected to pay for a high-quality Mini Nubian Goat is between USD $300 – $450. However, breeders happily sell unregistered doelings for under USD $100 or unregistered doelings in milk for USD $200 onwards.
After your initial purchase, other costs come with a Mini Nubian Goat ownership, which you should be mindful of. Such costs include:
- Goat disease testing – $15 – $150
- Food – $13 – $35 per bale
- Herd testing – $75 – $350 (up to four times per year)
- Medical – $15 – $100 (price will increase if surgery is required)
- Shelter – from $45 onwards
- Other – $20 – $100
As you can see, the cost of owning a Mini Nubian Goat significantly depends on its purpose. You may need to pay different one-off fees (shelter, registration) or various on-going costs (food, medical, testing); however, only you’ll be able to determine an accurate estimate.
Mini Nubian Goats Behavior and Temperament
If you have your heart set on a Mini Nubian Goat, you’ll be happy to know that their behavior and temperament make them excellent pets to own or cooperative helpers (depending on their purpose.)
Mini Nubian Goats are friendly and sociable animals. They’re naturally curious and are quite intelligent. Mini Nubians can be taught various duties, such as leading herds or hauling stack. They can also be trained to respond to calls.
Given their friendly nature, Mini Nubian Goats tend to get along well with other farm animals– which is always a plus when you’re an owner to numerous animals.
It is worth noting that Mini Nubians are powerful beings; sometimes, they’ve been known to ram fences or tumble nearby structures- however, this can be controlled over time.
Overall, it’s safe to assume that a Mini Nubian Goat has an ideal behavior and temperament- that will suit most people and what they’re looking for.
Mini Nubian Goat Size
The Mini Nubian Goat sure does live up to its name, weighing on average 100lbs (45kgs) at maximum. This is significantly lighter in comparison to a regular-sized Nubian. As for height, doe’s are typically 24 – 26 inches (60 – 66 cms), and bucks are slightly taller at 26 – 28 inches (66 – 71 cms.)
Some Mini Nubian Goats have reported reaching a height of 31 inches (78 cms); however, this is quite rare and isn’t as common.
How Long Do Mini Nubian Goats Live For?
The life expectancy of a healthy Mini Nubian Goat is 15 – 18 years. Miniature goats with consistently excellent health can live as long as 20 years.
How Much Space Does a Mini Nubian Goat Need?
Depending on the amount of Mini Nubian Goats you wish to house, it can influence how much space will be required of you to obtain.
If you are housing only one Mini Nubian goat, you should at least have 250 SQ. FT of space. Although this may not seem like a lot, your Mini Nubian will be noisy, especially if he’s riding solo.
Let’s say you bite the bullet and decide to house two Mini Nubian Goats; you should at least have 500 SQ. FT of space. And for every goat you add, it’s safe to assume you should add another 250 SQ. FT of space into the picture.
Mini Nubian Goat Colors
If you weren’t already aware, Mini Nubian Goats come in a variety of colors- but one thing remains the same: their cute floppy ears. A typical Mini Nubian Goat color resembles either the chamoisee or sundgau pattern.
Chamoisee
Chamoisee patterns produce either tan or red body colors, with dark markings on the ears, lower legs, and facial stripes. The belly region is another area where markings can be found; however, depending on the individual goat, they vary from either dark or light.
Sundgau
A sundgau pattern produces only black and white body colors, with white “swiss” like markings covering certain regions.
Top Tip: Mini Nubian Goats always have dark markings on the lower region of their legs, facial stripes, and dark-colored floppy ears. Bucks also tend to have a dark-colored martingale.
Mini Nubian Goat Diet
Every person will feed their Mini Nubian according to their preference. No matter the circumstances, however, a healthy Mini Nubian Goat diet includes:
- High-quality hay or pasture
- Raisins (small amounts)
- Carrots
- Seeds such as sunflower or pumpkin
- Freshwater
Some Mini Nubian Goats will happily eat shrubs, twigs, or other grass if it’s the only thing available. You should assume the potential risk of your Mini Nubian eating anything unusual to their ordinary diet.
Pregnant, young, sick, or milking Mini Nubians might also require supplementary feeding- as directed by your trusted veterinarian.
Don’t forget to include the odd treat. Manna Pro stock a variety of different goat treats, perfect for your Mini Nubian!
Do Mini Nubian Goats Make Good Pets?
Whether you have children, additional animals, or simply a solo individual looking to purchase a Miniature Nubian Goat, you’ll be happy to know that they indeed make good pets to own!
Mini Nubians are sociable animals, often getting along with both human companions and farmyard friends.
Unlike some animals, Mini Nubians have no problem being taught to herd, breed for the purpose of milk production, or simply become a household pet- often making them desirable among future owners!
The Miniature Nubian Goat has a docile temperament, but can quickly turn into an active butterfly when aroused or excited. If you’re looking to own more than one, you’re also in luck- as Mini Nubians thoroughly enjoy the company of pairs.
In conclusion, buying a Mini Nubian Goat as a pet is undoubtedly a fantastic decision- both for themselves and for yourself too!
Are Mini Nubian Goats Loud?
YES, Mini Nubian Goats are loud- very loud.
Mini Nubian Goats produce high-pitched, regular bleating noises, specifically during the breeding season. The purpose behind such sounds is a natural form of communication to its pairs, implying their intentions.
This breed of a goat can also get very loud when they’re alone or have no surrounding pairs within its vicinity. So future buyers- watch out if you only want to buy one at a time.
Do Mini Nubian Goats Have Horns?
Yes and no. In other words, some Mini Nubian Goats are naturally polled- whereas others aren’t. Polled means their horns have either been removed or were typically born non-existent.
Do Mini Nubian Goats Stink?
Hold your noses (and your wine)- this section is about to get deep. Yes, Mini Nubian Goats stink. In particular, bucks stink just as bad as a skunk.
Why? You may be asking- here’s the reason.
Bucks have some odd habits; Including urinating on their face, sticking their heads against other goats, and outwardly performing “self-stimulation”… if you know what I mean.
Apart from that, they’re overall stinky animals that often neglect to implement self-cleanse (and I mean the real meaning behind self-cleanse this time folks!
If you’re thinking about purchasing a Mini Nubian Goat, you should consider this fact first.
Mini Nubian Goat Diseases
Unfortunately, there are various diseases that you should carefully keep an eye on within your Mini Nubian Goat.
Such Mini Nubian Goat diseases include:
- CAE (Caprine Arthritis Encephalitis)
- CL (Caseous Lymphadenitis)
- G6-Sulfatase
- PPR (Peste Des Petits Ruminants)
- Other diseases
It’s imperative when you purchase a Miniature Nubian Goat, to ask for records of previous tests. If your breeder can not supply that information, get your goat tested as soon as possible.
Also, maintaining regular veterinarian visits can aid in the prolonged health of your Mini Nubian Goat.
At What Age is a Mini Nubian Goat Full Grown?
A female can reach sexual maturity between the ages of 4 – 12 months. In general, however, it’s believed that a Mini Nubian Goat (regardless of gender) only becomes “fully-grown” at three years.
How High Can a Mini Nubian Goat Jump?
If you thought a Miniature Nubian Goat wasn’t wild enough- think again, because they can jump. How high might you ask? They can jump as high as 4.5 feet, but quickly over a fence that’s 4ft. So watch out, you may want to rethink the size of your wall! (You can thank me later)
How Long is a Mini Nubian Goat Pregnant?
Once a doe has successfully been bred, her pregnancy will last up to 145 days (or sometimes as long as 160.) She will then give birth no more than twice a year, but on average once.
How Many Babies Does a Mini Nubian Goat Have?
The most goats a Mini Nubian could give birth to are five; however, it’s more common for her pregnancy to result in one – three kids usually.
