I have been raising goats for about 13 years now. I started with Nigerian Dwarves and still have a few. I can't seem to get rid of them. (My picture is ZaZu, one of this year's kids, who was rejected by her mother.)
I wrote Goat Health Care and Raising Goats for Dummies, after publishing Ruminations, The Nigerian Dwarf and Mini Dairy Goat magazine, for 7 years. I wanted to have books out there that I could also pick up when I needed to be reminded of how to solve a problem I was facing and also to help new goat owners avoid going through the trials and tribulations that I did.
I am happy to say that I haven't had to use a vet for more than 2 years now. I know this is part luck and part knowing what to look for and how to treat.
I currently have a herd of 24 goats, mostly Oberians (Nigerian Dwarf and Oberhasli cross) and those 4 Nigerians that I can't seem to get out of.
I love my goats and want to help other people who love theirs!
Replies
Welcome Cheryl, you may be new to the site - but not new to most of us! ^^ I too have one of your books, Goat Health Care. I love the book and enjoy reading through it, whether or not I have a present issue.
I have Nigerians - two of which have the Oberhasli color which I love!
Glad you're here - I'm in Oregon also - near the Eugene Airport on Royal ^^ How funny, I just realized you posted this in 2011... LOL
Oberians!!!! yes.
Looking to replace my Ober's that I gave up years ago!
Loving this smaller size.
I live in Oregon in Lakeview.
klickittyklatt@yahoo.com
Any help would be appreciated.
Candy
Hi Cheryl!
I found this thread by searching the site for mini oberhasli. I'm excited that there's someone so knowledgeable on this site raising them. I'm thinking about raising them as well. Right now, I have only Nigerians, and they're the only goats I've ever had experience with. I'd love to get some answers to my questions about the mini oberhasli.
How does their milk compare, in general, to the Nigerians in terms of butter fat and flavor? How about in terms of how much they produce, in general?
How large are the kids at birth?
Are they seasonal breeders, or more year round?
How much hay and grain do you feed them? I'm wondering how it compares to what the Nigerians eat.
What have you found to be pros/cons as compared to the Nigerians?
My tentative, I'm just thinking about it, plan is to keep by Nigerian bucklings, and next winter when they're old enough, breed them to some of my friend's oberhasli does...and hope for some really nice mini oberhasli doelings.
I'd love you thoughts and opinions! :)
I am in Low Pass, between Eugene and Florence, Rachel. And thanks, Jackie, for your compliment on the book (I am assuming you are talking about the Dummies book). If anyone is interested, my website is www.goathealthcare.com. I have no farm website, and sell most of my Oberians locally.
Rachel Whetzel said: