Breed of Nubian goats
Nubian goats are rarely found in Russia, but are quite popular in their African homeland.
Nubian goats
About the Nubian breed
The breed got its name from its small homeland - Namibia, from where the English breeders took animals for experimental breeding. The mountain goat, although it has the same homeland, has nothing to do with livestock. The Nubian goats belonging to the meat and dairy genotype have secured family ties with the Swiss and Indian representatives. American scientists helped the Nubian breed to become more productive and productive through line and closely related crosses.
The studbook recorded the new breed as Anglo-Nubian.
Nubian goats came into domestic agriculture from American farmers at the beginning of the 21st century. The livestock of breeding Nubian goats in Russia numbered only no more than a dozen. Often, when selling Nubian goats, farmers' demand for this breed is constrained by its high cost. The cost of a Nubian goat is quite high, and the price at which it is affordable to buy a goat and purebred goats often reaches 120 thousand rubles.
Appearance and character
The description of the breed is certainly associated with its drooping ears, dropping to a level below the muzzle of the animal, which reminds some of the Basset Hounds. And many people note their character similar to that of a dog. They treat their owner like the leader of the herd, they certainly respond to the nicknames given to them, and when they see strangers, like a guard dog, they rush to protect loved ones.
Anglo-Nubians have a memorable Greek profile. The nose of animals has a slight hump. For some breeders, the nose of the Nubians looks more like a Roman oval.
The coat color of Nubian goats can be varied, but most of the shades are reduced to brown, but there are also Nubian goats in the shade of white gold. Nubians can be:
- chocolate and black
- with leopard spots and white-brown,
- cream and piebald.
The coat of the Nubian goat breed is short and smooth and silky to the touch. Videos and photos of Nubian goats showcase the beauty of these exotic animals.
Most Nubiek goats are hornless, but this does not apply to the dominant breed trait. The goats are originally horned.
The general descriptive characterization classifies these animals as rather large livestock. So, females gain weight up to 80 kilograms, and some males are capable of reaching a body weight of about 100 kilograms. The growth of the goats is also rather big - up to 0.9 centimeters high at the withers.
Productive benefits
The meat and dairy Nubian breed of goats gives good indicators in terms of milk yield. After the first lambing, a goat can bring milk products from 3 liters or more daily. Their lactation period lasts almost all year round and is approximately 300 days.Thus, farmers whose farms have a Nubian breed can boast of annual milk volumes of up to 1 ton.
Nubian goat milk is distinguished by its quality characteristics:
- average fat content - 4, percent,
- protein component of milk - from 3.7 percent or more,
- lack of smell and specific nutty taste of milk.
Milk yield in Nubies increases with subsequent lambing.
The Nubian breed of goats is characterized by intensive growth rates, therefore, in African countries, Nubian kids are often bred not only for the subsequent receipt of milk from them, but also for meat.
Sexual maturity of the Nubians begins at the age of seven months, however, farmers allow animals to mate when they reach the age of at least a year. The gestation period does not differ from the duration of other breeds and is 150 days.
Benefits and cons for breeding
In addition to its pleasant appearance, the Nubian breed of goats for breeding and keeping has a number of other advantages that allow farmers to make a choice in favor of these animals, regardless of their high price:
- the potential for increasing the productivity of Nubians after the second and third lactation periods can reach up to five kilograms of milk per day,
- long lactation period ensures stable production of dairy products,
- milk obtained from the Nubians is competitive in the agricultural market and is used for the production of high-quality varieties of cheeses,
- intensive growth rates of young animals make it possible to quickly obtain meat when breeding animals,
- rather high fertility (2-3 goats per lambing) and the vitality of the young make it possible to quickly increase the livestock.
Among the disadvantages of maintaining the breed, some breeders note their finickyness in the feed ration and more thorough care than other breeds require. In addition, Nubian goats are very selfish in nature and are not ready to peacefully coexist in contact with other domestic animals. The presence of foreign livestock is not annoying and leads to a decrease in productivity.
Content principles
It should be noted right away that the thermophilic exotic goat is not ready to endure the harsh Russian climatic conditions, therefore it is not recommended to have these animals in all regions.
To keep Nubian goats, it is certainly worth choosing the necessary insulated room, drafts and excessive moisture are detrimental to them, since animals are prone to pneumonia.
The room where the Nubian goat will live should be light, warm, clean and dry.
For the fastidious Nubians, owners should arrange wooden loungers covered with fresh straw. The straw bedding, which is not changed in time, will become an occasion for the animal to begin to show its African temper.
The feed ration of the Nubian goat breed must necessarily include tree branches - willow, maple, linden, mountain ash. In addition, the menu is diversified due to concentrated feed, which accounts for up to 300 grams per individual to maintain its viability, and up to 250 grams plus in order to maintain milk yields, which are required per 1 kilogram of product.
It is possible to increase milk yield in Nubian goats with the help of barley and oat crops, which are added to the feed ration in a ground or steamed form.
The amount of hay given in the winter season per head is up to 5 kilograms, grain concentrates should be given about 2 kilograms, vegetables and silage - up to a kilogram. In summer, licks are laid out in places of walking, in winter salt is added directly to drinking water.
A feature of the goat's diet during the mating season is the addition of the main diet with legumes and cereals.