Nubian goats
Description
An exotic large framed animal with a high, proud head carriage, majestic bearing and upright stance. Head - short profile with pronounced convex nasal bone (Roman nose). Eyes - medium sited, almond shaped. Ears - Long and pendulous, set low on head. The goat should show the true attributes of sound dairy type. May carry more flesh than other breeds. Average height at withers, at maturity (3 yr old approx) - Doe 81 cm Buck 94 cm. Coat can be any colour or combination of colour. Skin dark.
Category
Dairy, Meat, Breeding & Pet.
Advantages/Disadvantages of Breed
Disadvantages: Anglo-Nubians are herd animals so it preferable not to have one on its own. Anglo-Nubians also have a distinct call which can be loud when animals stressed or in season. Need a kind of shelter as goats have none or little fat under the skin. Produce less volume milk than other dairy breeds. They do not particularly like a wet or cold climate and may not thrive in those conditions.
Advantages: Higher milk solid content in milk than other breeds as milk has less water content, their milk is better for cheese making. They make great house milkers and pets with their great nature. Not large animals so depending on grazing facilities up to 5 per acre is not over stocking. Will improve pasture and reduce inkweed, thistles, blackberry, woolly nightshade etc. More likely to produce twins, triplets or quads than other breeds. This breed is often likened to the Jersey cow in the cattle breeds due to the excellent quality of its milk.
Production
On average the volume of the Anglo-Nubians milk production may not reach that of a high producing Saanen, 2.5-5.0 litres should be achievable. If feed correctly with supplement feed during Lactation, the Anglo-Nubian is expected to produce milk for around 10 months of the year, some able to milk right through to the next season without kidding again.
Handling
Same as all animals, will move with the herd. Goats are gregarious animals and will adapt well to human contact especially if raised by hand. Ideally the Anglo-Nubian will be hornless or dehorned due to the fact that they will need to be handled daily for milking and horns can be dangerous. This makes handling much easier. Most owners will teach the kids to lead as youngsters to make handling later in life simple.
Requirements
Good shelter from cold wind and rain. A stable or barn access is ideal, good grazing with roughage available daily. During lactation hard feed is required to maintain body condition. Regular drenching for worms, foot trimming every few months.
Temperament
Hand raised Anglo-Nubians are generally very friendly and love people, a mother reared kid may be a little harder to tame when fully grown. These goats have quite a unique personality, almost a little silly at times!
Reproduction
Will produce 200 - 300% annually. Kids usually born about June through to October, a few may be a little earlier or later.
Other characteristics
Very attractive animals with lots of different colours and patterns. On lifestyle blocks they will supply a household in milk quite easily, kids for school Calf Club, meat, milk and milk products. Make lovely pets and will easily adapt to watchdog tactics, watching TV, gardening etc if able.
Breed suitability for small blocks
Because of size and the number from 2 onwards.
Market
Anglo-Nubian Breed Society of New Zealand (Incorporated) has approximately 50 registered members throughout NZ and Australia.
Purchase costs
Price varies per breeder and depending on level of Purity of the goat. Prices may be from as little as $80 for unregistered stock up to $500. or occasionally more.
Potential return
200 - 300% increase per year at kidding. Excess can be sold. Milk can be sold or used to rear calves or pigs that in turn can be sold.
Current Market situation
NZ sales always available. Overseas importing from Australia only and is expensive. Some breeders export semen, embryos or limited amount of live kids.
Website link for more detailed information- www.anbsnz.org.nz
