Ellie the Mini Nubian
Finally, our little Ellie the Mini Nubian was ready to pick up from the breeder on the 14th! I have been on the waiting list for two years and was supposed to get two doelings. Unfortunately, while the breeder has excellent stock, the communication was not the best. After telling me I was first on the list for this year, suddenly another person was ahead of me. I am happy with Ellie but highly doubt I’ll ever wait list again especially when the deposit is held. In this case, the money put down was applied to Ellie but not something I would want to experience again. There are many quality Mini Nubian breeders in our adjoining states that are first come and I will take that route when I start looking for a buckling.
What’s a Mini Nubian?
A Mini Nubian goat is a smaller goat that is bred to look like a Nubian in body form and milk production and quality. They start as a cross between a Nigerian Dwarf buck and a Nubian doe. The Nigerian adds their milk quality and production as well as their smaller stature. The goal was to have goats that produce almost as much milk as the Nubian but with less feed and room requirements. One of the additonal perks is that the Nigerians can add their blue eyes and various coat patterns. This is why Ellie the Mini-Nubian looks so different from Nessa the Nubian.
In the Mudroom
As you probably noticed, our new baby goat is in the mudroom when the others are down in the barn. New additions should be quarentined for at least 30 days and have tests done to ensure they don’t bring anything into your existing herd. Two of the scariest are Caseous Lymphadenitis (CL) for which there is no cure and Johne’s disease. CL will not kill the goat but it is very infectious and can contaminate your soil for years. This can spread it to the rest of your herd. Johne’s disease has no vaccination or cure and is deadly. There are others that aren’t as severe but I don’t want to deal with sick goats! Despite Ellie the Mini Nubian coming from a closed herd, Rick and I decided that a temporary stay in the mudroom and small outside enclosure was the wisest choice.
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