How to Breed Nubian Goats

Nubian goats should be tattooed as kids.

Nubian goats are large dairy goats that originated in Africa and the eastern Mediterranean. Their milk is high in butterfat and often used to make cheese. One of the principal jobs of a goat breeder is to record the pedigree of the goats. Since 1904, the American Dairy Goat Association has registered those pedigrees. In order to breed Nubian goats, prospective breeders must start with goats that are already registered with the association.

Things You'll Need

• Registered fertile female Nubian goat
• Certificate of transfer
• Membership in the American Dairy Goat Association
• Access to a registered Nubian goat sire
• Livestock tattoo kit
• Photographs of kids (optional)
• Registration forms

Instructions

1. Acquire at least one registered, fertile female Nubian goat from an established Nubian goat breeder. Obtain a certificate of transfer from the American Dairy Goat Association through the breeder.

2. Apply for membership with the American Dairy Goat Association on their website. The membership application can be downloaded or completed online. The association will assign a breeder prefix and a unique set of tattoo letters to all new breeders.

3. Decide on a reproductive strategy for your female goat or goats. Goats are often, but not exclusively, bred by artificial insemination. The only requirement to breed registered goats is that the breeder must attest to the parentage of the goats, and both goats must be registered with the ADGA.

4. Tattoo all kids you breed with a livestock tattoo kit. You can buy the kits at most feed stores. Even if the kid refuses to cooperate, they are quick and simple to use. Kids must be tattooed before they can registered.

5. Give your kids unique names of less than 30 characters. Only named goats can be registered. The first few letters of each of your goat's names must be the breeder prefix you were assigned by the ADGA.

6. Photograph your goats and their tattoos as a matter of good animal husbandry. The ADGA does not require photos for registration but some other goat breeder associations do.

7. Register your kids with the ADGA by completing a registration form. Most kids born of registered parents can be registered. However, pendulous ears are considered a breed defect, and goats born with that defect may not be registered.

8. Learn as much as you can about breeding goats, consult with other goat breeders, and grow your herd according to your increasingly informed reproductive strategy.

References

• "Breed Standards"; American Dairy Goat Association; December 2010
• "Instructions for Registering a Dairy Goat"; American Dairy Goat Association; December 2010
• "American Dairy Goat Association Handbook"; American Dairy Goat Association;
• "Summary of Artificial Insemination Requirements"; American Dairy Goat Association; December 2010

Resources

• "ADGA Membership Application"; American Dairy Goat Association