Mini Nubians:
The Next Big thing?
Are Mini Nubians the true power house of the goat world?
Some say Mini Nubians are the perfect product of bringing the high Nigerian Dwarf butterfat into a larger animal with more production. They also have a more compact size. I find I agree! I love that delicious butterfat over the Nubian milk (so do my milk customers). Long term, I aim to have Minis with similar production as a Nubian, high butterfat, parasite resistance, correct structure, and easy workability. So far, everything about my first three F1 (first generation) Mini Nubians has been wonderful, including the parasite resistance along with production. They are like a dream animal. The mammary systems from two of the girls…just wow! I can’t believe I made that! I have been so DELIGHTFULLY surprised. It feels a path is calling me, and I am going to follow it. Hello, Mini Nubians!
We look forward to meeting you and discussing goats. Thanks for your interest in my herd!
higher butterfat
Nubians have an average butterfat of 4.5% or higher, and Nigerian Dwarf milk averages 6-10+%. That means Mini Nubians should have higher butterfat than Nubians and more milk than Nigerians, right? The breeds are a perfect combination.
For reference, most dairy cows have a butterfat of 3%. Although guernsey cows and Jersey cows can average nearly 5%.
production
Scout has rocked her first freshening, making unofficially 7.2 lbs at peak inbetween milk tests but 6.3 lbs officially recorded. Her Nubian mother only peaked at 7.7 lbs in 2024. At 234 days in milk, she is still consistently making 5 lbs a day as a first freshener. Her sister, Butterscotch has also earned her milk star. Peanut made just over 1000 lbs of milk but was juuuust shy of butterfat to star. I bred her too soon. Oops! No deworming. Just healthy and making milk.
personality
- So far, our Mini Nubians have been quite vocal as kids and outgrow it.
- We have 3/4, airplane, and erect ears from our first generation kids. The second gen kids have a bit longer ears and more Roman noses.
- At nearly 8 months in milk, I am still smiling every day I open the gate to the Mini Nubians to milk them. That says a lot.
