The Nubian goat is a cute and affectionate animal.It is useful for clearing and controlling fruit and can be trained to do tricks.The Nubian goat has a high butterfat content in its milk, making it a popular option for dairy production.These animals are easy to care for, but need a large living area.
Step 1: Prepare some space for animals.
If you want to purchase Nubian goats, you need to make sure you have enough space for them.The goats need about 200 square feet of pasture space.The goats can eat grass, bushes, and other plants in this space.The goats are vocal.Nubian goats can be vocal during certain times of the year.You might want to think about how close to your home you will raise your goats.
Step 2: A shelter is needed.
Nubian goats are less sensitive to heat and cold than other goats.They will need a warm, dry area to protect them from the elements.25 square feet of space per goat is what your shelter should provide.There should be plenty of straw for bedding.It's better to have dirt floors than wood.The wood floors can be slippery for goats.
Step 3: The fence needs to be strong.
Nubians are escape artists.A strong fence is needed to keep them in.The fence should be at least four feet tall.Woven wire and "no climb" horse fencing work well.Fence material with square holes is not ideal, as goats can sometimes get their heads caught in the fence.You need to walk the fence line frequently to make sure the goats don't dig holes to get under it.Don't tether your goats.In some cases goats can choke themselves to death trying to escape the tether.
Step 4: Provide objects that are entertaining.
Nubian goats are playful and curious.Make sure their space has things that they can play with.stacks of straw bales, old tires, and piles of rocks are good choices.
Step 5: Bring your goats with you.
If you don't have an adequate home for your goats, look for a breeder or other seller online.Purchase a goat or goat and bring them home.Make sure your truck bed has a covered roof to protect your goat from the elements.The goats are bred all around the country.There is a good deal on a healthy goat.
Step 6: Dos and bucks are separate.
Due to the bucks' aggressive nature, you'll need to separate them if you have both bucks.If you don't want a lot of baby goats, this is true as well.Stronger fencing material may be required to keep your bucks in.During breeding season bucks emit a powerful odor that is unpleasant to most people but attractive to Nubian.Keep bucks further from your home if you are keeping them.
Step 7: Provide a constant source of water.
The goat's water needs will change from season to season.Ensure that your goats have a source of water at all times.Heavy containers can be used for water as goats tend to knock them over.Automatic watering systems can be used to reduce waste.
Step 8: Feed the goats.
A class of plants called "browse" is the primary component of a Nubian goat's diet.Shrubs and bushes are different from grass in that they arebrowsing.Feed your goats plants you've gathered from elsewhere if there aren't already browsing plants in the goats' area.Ivy leaves and vines, not flowers or berries, are good choices.
Step 9: Feed your goats.
goats need to eat "forage" in addition to browsingGrasses and plants.You can feed your goats high quality hay and allow them to eat grass for at least eight hours a day, but only if you let them eat naturally.
Step 10: They can supplement their diet with pellets.
During the winter months when the Nubian goats' pasture area may not grow as much wild food, you may wish to supplement your goat's diet with commercially available goat feed pellets.If you are raising goats for milk, this is important.It is easy to over feed your goats.Feed your goats according to instructions.If you notice that your goats are gaining weight, it's a good idea to switch out your pellets.
Step 11: Provide mineral supplements.
In order to stay healthy, goats need certain minerals in their diet which are not always available.This is true during the winter months.You might need to provide supplements.If goats become deficient in minerals, they can have health problems.Mineral blocks can be given to your goats to help them get the nutrition they need.Mineral blocks for sheep don't contain copper, which goats do.
Step 12: Plants that are poisonous should be avoided.
Some wild plants can be poisonous to goats, so they will eat a wide variety of them.If you believe your goat has eaten something poisonous, call a vet immediately.
Step 13: They need to keep their area clean.
Nubian goats need some cleaning up.There are two approaches to cleaning.The goat enclosure needs to be cleaned every day.There is a deep-litter system.Every summer, deep- clean the manure by covering it with fresh straw.This approach provides additional heat in the winter as the manure decays and can reduce flooding inside your barn.
Step 14: They should trim their hoofs.
Nubian goats need their hooves trimmed four times a year.If someone shows you how to do it, don't attempt it yourself.You can get a hoof trimmer from most farm stores, but a vet can show you how to use it.
Step 15: Do not feed your goats.
Nubian goats should be protected against a lot of diseases.tetanus and clostridium (CTD) are included.The correct schedule for these vaccinations should be discussed with your vet.The vaccine is hard on goats.The vaccine should be given at least a month apart.
Step 16: Take care of your goats.
You have to handle your goats.Do so calmly and gently so as not to frighten them.If you need to restrain your goat, you can use a rope harness.The horns can be held by a second person.
Step 17: Common health problems to watch out for.
Nubian goats are a hardy breed, but they are susceptible to many illnesses including upper respiratory problems, parasites, and hoof rot.If you notice any of the following symptoms, contact your vet immediately.
Step 18: It's a good idea to avoid certain foods.
If you want to milk your goats, you should avoid feeding them certain foods that can ruin the taste of their milk.Wild garlic, onions, carrots, and lettuce are among these.
Step 19: In the fall, introduce bucks.
After giving birth, goats produce milk.The female Nubian goat comes into her breeding season in late summer and fall.Introduce bucks to the females.When in heat, a female will be receptive to male goats.You will be able to tell a female is in heat because her vagina will swell slightly and she may leak fluids.She might become more affectionate.A pregnant woman will need to be "freshened" every year.Depending on the climate in your area, a female Nubian goat may go into heat more than once a year.There are a lot of bucks to transport and care for.You can pay to have your female bred to a stud if you don't want to keep her.
Step 20: "Dry off" pregnant women.
If your female goat is already pregnant, you need to stop her milk production so she can devote her resources to the baby.Drying off is a process.Extending the time between milks is how Drying off is achieved.About 60 days into the baby's life, start this process.You should extend the time to 13 if you milk every 12 hours.The next day is 14, then 15 and so on until the female stops giving birth.
Step 21: There is a birthing stall.
In January, when the female is very close to giving birth, put her in a birthing stall.She can give birth in this stall without being bothered.The goat can be warm and comfortable if the stall is filled with fresh straw and a heat lamp is provided.
Step 22: There are separate babies.
Two to five babies will be given birth to the female goat.To prevent a disease called caprine arthritis encephalitis, they should be separated from the mother and fed a diet of goat milk.If the babies are able to fend for themselves, you can sell them to someone who wants to start their own goat herd.
Step 23: The goats will be milked.
Milking goats involves squeezing the teats from top to bottom to force out the milk.It should be done every 12 hours.The goats should be milked for about a minute and a half each time.It can take up to five minutes to get the milk out.A clean, dust-free environment is the best place to milk your goats.The goats can be milked using a vacuum pump.