How to Care for Nubian Goats

Nubian goats are considered a dual-purpose breed, raised for both meat and milk.

Nubian goats, also known as Anglo-Nubians, are a breed of goat developed in England but bred from goats native to the Middle East and North Africa. These goats can tolerate hot climates and are considered a dual-purpose breed, raised for both meat and milk. They are large for goats, with females (does) weighing about 135 lbs. and males (bucks) weighing 175 lbs. You must make a few preparations if you wish to keep Nubians or any other type of goat.

Things You'll Need

• Alfalfa or clover hay
• Dairy goat feed
• Mineral/salt mix
• Bucket(s) or trough
• Shelter (three- or four-sided, roofed)
• Bedding material
• Fencing
• Rake
• Hoof trimmer
• Hoof file

Instructions

1. Feed your Nubian goat quality alfalfa or clover hay and concentrated dairy goat feed and allow it to forage in a pen or yard. This diet should be supplemented with a loose mineral/salt mix.

2. Offer plenty of clean water in a clean container, such as a trough or bucket. Goats need to consume 2 to 5 gallons each day, perhaps more if the weather is warm or the goat is particularly large.

3. Build a shelter for your goat. This shelter can be three-sided, but it must have a roof of some sort, because goats do not like to get wet and can suffer from hypothermia if left outside in the rain. Make sure that only non-toxic paint is used on this shelter, because goats are known to chew.

4. Provide dry bedding for your goat, material that is capable of being raked. You may use wheat straw or kiln-dried wood shavings.

5. Fence your goat's area securely to prevent your goat from wandering off and prevent predators, such as coyotes, from getting in. Use fencing that's at least 4 feet high on good solid posts.

6. Rake your goat yard and shelter regularly, and remove all manure and soiled bedding to keep your goat's living area clean and healthy. Goats can produce up to 10 lbs. of manure in one day, but the manure tends to be dry and makes excellent fertilizer.

7. Trim your goat's hooves every three months to prevent foot rot. You can do this using a hoof trimmer and a hoof file or carpenter's rough sanding plane.

8. Vaccinate your goat annually for tetanus and enterotoxemia (CDT). Also, monitor your goat for signs of parasites, such as worms and lice.

Tips & Warnings

• Nubians crave companionship, so if you cannot keep two or more goats you should consider another small animal.

• Offer your goat warm water in the wintertime to encourage it to drink more.

• Use non-toxic flytraps and flystrips to keep your goat's area free of flies.

• Although large-animal veterinarians treat goats, you may have to do most of the routine vaccinating, worming and other treatments yourself.

Resources

• Read this Article in Spanish