The Nubian goat is a relatively new breed, introduced to Russia only in the 2000s. from the United States. The first mentions of this species of animals with a proud, as if Roman, profile date back to 7500 BC. Already at that time, this breed was tamed by man, therefore they are rightfully considered the most ancient breeds of domesticated goats. The name of the breed comes from the name of the area of ​​ancient Nubia, which was located between the first and sixth rapids of the Nile in Africa.

The French were the first to start breeding goats, but it was the British who crossed the Nubians with the Zarib dairy breed and brought the goats from the Nile to the appearance and characteristics that they possess today.

The ancestors of modern Nubian goats are only four individuals: 2 from Africa and 2 from India. English breeders crossed them with females of the local English breed, as a result of which the Anglo-Nubian breed of goats was bred. This species was officially recognized in 1986. Today, this breed is the most popular with American farmers.

Nubian goat

Description of appearance

A distinctive external feature of this breed is a "Roman" nose with a hump, long, flat hanging ears and expressive eyes. The body of the goats is long and narrow, although they themselves are quite large. The udder is large with long nipples. The neck and legs are also long and narrow. Goats come in a variety of colors: white, black, brown, brown. On the body there may be a pattern in the form of white or black spots. The height at the withers ranges from 75 to 90 cm. The goat has short, backward-curved horns. These animals are shorthaired.

Females and males weigh differently. Typically, goats weigh less than 55 kg, while goats can weigh up to 70 kg. Females are prolific, they can milk three kids at a time. And so 2 times a year. The kids grow up very quickly, gaining weight well.

Note! The character of this breed is rather wayward. Young animals like to play pranks and wrestle, older individuals often bully with other goats in the herd, so experts recommend keeping them separate from other varieties. And although they love attention, it is highly discouraged to entrust their grazing to children, since the animals are active and it will be difficult for a child to cope with them.

Productivity

The productivity of goats is high, they can produce up to 900 kg of milk per year with a fat content of 5 to 8%. It tastes slightly sweet, but pleasant. The special value of milk is that it produces excellent quality cheeses, yoghurts and cottage cheese, as it does not have a specific flavor. Because of this, small children also like to drink it raw. Moreover, milk is very healthy, it contains many vitamins and minerals.

Dutch chickens

For one milking goats can give from 2 to 4 liters of milk. After each lambing, milk yield, as a rule, increases and can reach up to 6 l / day.

Important! The amount of milk yields directly depends on the diet of goats, since they are quite whimsical in food. If it is not nutritious enough, females will begin to give less milk, in addition, its fat content and taste will sharply decrease.

Keeping animals

An experienced farmer will not refuse to keep goats of this breed, since they do not require special care, there are no special nuances in reproduction. In addition, this breed animal, in addition to tasty healthy fatty milk, has tender meat, which differs significantly from the meat of an ordinary domestic goat.

"Roman" nose of the Nubian goat

Foxy Chick (breed of chickens): description

However, due to their thermophilicity, caring for them in cold latitudes can be difficult.Samara, Moscow, Tver regions and the southern regions of Russia are most suitable for breeding this breed. They are most popular in the world in Ethiopia, the United States and the United Kingdom.

Important! Animals have a hard time tolerating the winter period, so they need to be prepared thoroughly for the cold by insulating the place of residence. In this regard, breeding on large farms, this type of goat is not suitable.

But, regardless of these factors, breeding goats of this breed in your own yard in small numbers is a profitable business. The main thing in this matter is to approach their content wisely. You need to start with the purchase of young animals, but at the same time make sure that the seller is really selling Nubian goats. For this, special attention should be paid to the external features of the Nubians - a humped nose and long, flat ears. It doesn't hurt to try the milk from the kid's mother, it should be sweetish, without unnecessary aftertastes.

Important! In order for the breeding of animals to be profitable in the future, young animals should be bought from different breeders, since mating of close relatives leads to low productivity.

In the future, it should be borne in mind that the kids born at the end of winter are more mature and developed, therefore, mating should be carried out at the beginning of summer. In this case, babies can be kept separately from adults.

The most optimal option for keeping goats is stall-pasture maintenance, the period of which is approximately the same - six months in grazing, then the next six months in a cold season in a stall. Rooms where animals will be kept during winter should be warm and dry with solid flooring. It should be borne in mind that the Anglo-Nubian goats practically do not sleep on the floor, it makes sense to make special wooden beds for them on a dais. In this case, the goats must be kept separately, since the females can acquire a specific smell. In winter, the room must be insulated (for example, with coniferous branches) or equipped with heaters.

Goat milk can be given with the first feeding to children

Diet of goats

Orpington (breed of chickens)

In the diet, goats are quite whimsical, so the diet should be varied. In addition to clean fresh water, the presence of lizun salt is mandatory. It is advisable to carry out the feeding procedure at about the same time. For instance:

  • at 6.00-9.00 o'clock feed with hay or straw;
  • at 9.00-11.00 give silage or straw;
  • at 11.00-12.00 watering time;
  • at 12.00-13.00 give the animals concentrated feed;
  • at 16.00-18.00 hay or straw again.

Important! Animals, in spite of the periods, need green food. Therefore, if in summer it is not possible to graze them, green twigs and grass should be added to the diet.

Breeding Nubian goats is suitable for any Russian farmer. There is nothing difficult in this, except for a little hassle with the insulation of the barn for the winter. But this is not a problem either. But in return, the breeder will receive delicious milk and excellent meat.