Nigerian Dwarf Goats

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.[4]: 416 

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] 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.[4]: 399 [5]: 35  It was at first reared as a show breed and companion animal; selection was for appearance and for docility.[2] It was later found to be suitable for small-scale dairy production, and some breeding was directed towards dairy qualities.[2] A herd-book was established in 1980.[3]

Numbers grew rapidly; by 2002 there were almost 7000 head registered.[2] The breed was recognized by the American Dairy Goat Association in 2005.[5]: 33  The Nigerian Dwarf was formerly listed on the heritage breeds watchlist of the Livestock Conservancy as "recovering",[2] but was removed from the list in 2013.[6]

In 2023 the total number of the goats in the United States was just under 40000;[3] populations numbering 1000–2000 head are reported by Australia and Canada.[7] In 2024 the international conservation status of the breed was "not at risk".[7]

In the 1990s the Nigora breed was created by cross-breeding the Nigerian Dwarf with Angora and other mohair breeds.[4]: 399 

Characteristics

The eyes may be blue

The Nigerian Dwarf is small but well-proportioned; its conformation resembles that of larger dairy goats.[4]: 399  It may be horned or naturally hornless.[2] The coat is fine and fairly short, and may be of any color, or multicolored;[2] common colors are gold, chocolate and black, frequently with white markings. The facial profile may be concave or straight; the ears are upright.[4]: 399  The average weight is approximately 35 kg (75 lb), while maximum height is about 60 cm (24 in) for males and slightly less for females;[4]: 399  stock bred for dairy performance may be rather larger than show or companion animals.[2]

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.[8] The gestation period is in the range 145–153 days;[8] the twinning rate is high, and triplet and quadruplet births are not uncommon.[4]: 399 [2] Life expectancy is from eight to 12 years.[8]

Use

Nigerian Dwarf twins

The Nigerian Dwarf was originally bred for show and as a companion animal. It was later also bred for dairy use.[2] Average milk yield of dairy stock is 340 kg (750 lb) per year;[9]: 284  a yield of 993 kg (2190 lb) in a lactation of 305 days was recorded in 2018.[10]: 3  Lactation usually lasts for about ten months.[2] The milk is high in butterfat and protein, averaging 6.5% and 3.9% respectively,[9]: 284  and is suitable for making cheese and butter.[2]

References

  1. ^ Rischkowsky, Barbara; Pilling, Dafydd, eds. (2007). "Annex: Breeds currently recorded in the Global Databank for Animal Genetic Resources" (PDF). The State of the World's Animal Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture. Rome: FAO. ISBN 978-92-5-105762-9.
  2. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m Nigerian Dwarf Goat. American Livestock Breeds Conservancy (now The Livestock Conservancy). Archived 7 March 2010.
  3. ^ a b c 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.
  4. ^ 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. ISBN 9781780647944.
  5. ^ 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. ISBN 9781603425803.
  6. ^ 2013 Changes to the Conservation Priority List. The Livestock Conservancy. Archived 30 October 2013.
  7. ^ a b Transboundary breed: Nigerian Dwarf. Domestic Animal Diversity Information System of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations. Accessed August 2024.
  8. ^ a b c Dwarf Nigerian Goat. Birmingham, Alabama: Birmingham Zoo. Accessed December 2019.
  9. ^ 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. ISBN 9780813820620, pages 275–292.
  10. ^ ADGA 2019 Performance Breed Leaders, volume 66. American Dairy Goat Association. Accessed September 2021.


Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nigerian_Dwarf_goat

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