Nigerian Dwarf Goat Care & Selection Guide

Welcome to the World of Nigerian Dwarf Goats!

Whether you're new to homesteading or simply enchanted by these pint-sized dairy goats, this guide is designed to help you choose, care for, and enjoy Nigerian Dwarfs with confidence. From fencing tips to nutrition essentials, everything here is based on real experience from our own herd in Bethel, PA.

• Why Choose Nigerian Dwarf Goats
• Important Warning When Purchasing Livestock
• Male vs. Female Nigerian Dwarf Goats
• Registered vs. Non-Registered Goats
• Fencing
• Housing
• Hay and Nutrition
• Health Care
• Disbudded, Horned or Polled Goats
• Toxic Plants

Why Choose Nigerian Dwarf Goats?

Nigerian Dwarf goats are a charming and versatile breed, prized for their adorably tiny size, friendly temperament, and high-quality, and great-tasting milk production.

• Size and Space: They're adorably small and compact, which makes them suitable for farms with limited space or even urban settings with smaller backyards.
• Milk Production: Despite their size, they produce a substantial amount of high-quality milk, which is rich in butterfat, making it ideal for dairy products like cheese and yogurt.
• Temperament: They are known for their friendly and gentle nature, which makes them great pets, especially for families with children.
• Appearance & Show: With their colorful coats and some even with striking blue eyes, they're quite charming and visually appealing. They are a favorite among breeders and judges, which can lead to rewarding experiences and accolades in goat shows.
• Maintenance: They require relatively low maintenance compared to larger livestock, making them a manageable choice for small-scale farmers and hobbyists.

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🧫 Biosecurity & Herd Health

Always choose from a clean, tested herd. A cheap goat can lead to high vet bills and herd infections and culling. Investing in healthy animals initially prevents future heartache and financial strain.

Goats are Herd animals! You can NOT have just one! They’re social by nature and need companionship to stay healthy and emotionally balanced. For pet homes, it’s best to keep at least two goats of the same gender to avoid feeding complications and behavioral stress. We’ll get into those details more below.

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🐐 Male vs. Female Nigerian Dwarf Goats

When deciding between male and female Nigerian Dwarf goats, it's essential to consider their differences:

Females (Does):

Does are generally more docile and easier to manage. They do not emit the strong odor that bucks do. Females are preferred for milk production. It is important to note that does experience a heat cycle every 21 days, which can lead to increased vocalization and restlessness. To maintain their optimal health, females should receive grain consistently throughout their lives, in contrast to males.

Wethers:

Wethers are castrated males and are considered ideal pets due to their friendly and docile nature. Unlike bucks, they do not possess a strong odor. That odor in bucks comes from scent glands and rut-season urine spraying - behaviors wethers don’t experience. Wethers are also much less likely to exhibit aggressive behavior, making them excellent companions for both humans and other goats. It is important to monitor their dietary requirements and provide grains containing ammonium chloride to prevent urinary calculi. Although wethers are castrated, they may still show interest in does during breeding cycles. It’s not a big deal - some even find their ‘blabber talk’ amusing. IMPORTANT TO NOTE that Bucklings should not be castrated before 8 weeks of age, with the optimal period being at 12-16 weeks to allow for maximum urethral growth, thus reducing the risk of urinary calculi. Castration can be performed using a simple and cost-effective banding tool, with various instructional videos available on YouTube. As noted above, male goats should receive grain during their first 8 months, supplemented with ammonium chloride to prevent urinary calculi, after 8 months old they only need their free choice hay and minerals.

Males (Bucks):

Bucks are used for breeding and are NOT ideal pets. They are usually larger, more aggressive during breeding season, and have a strong odor due to scent glands and rut seasons. Keep intact bucks separate to avoid unwanted breeding and aggression. Bucks can affect milk flavor from does should they be housed close or with does, making it taste unpleasant. Ensure a 6-foot fence prevents their escape when does are in heat. Bucks do require ammonium chloride as well until you stop their grains at 8 months.

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🧬 Registered vs. Non-Registered Goats

When considering Nigerian Dwarf goats, it's essential to understand the importance of registration.  Registration papers are typically issued through ADGA or AGS, and they verify lineage, breed standards, and eligibility for shows or resale. Only kids from registered parents can be registered. If you plan to breed, make sure both parents have papers.

• Does (Females): It's a good idea to purchase registration papers for does. If you decide to sell or breed them in the future, having the papers will make the process much easier and ensure their value. Additionally, kids from registered parents typically sell quicker than those from non-registered parents.
• Bucks (Males): Since bucks are primarily used for breeding, they should always have registration papers. This ensures that their offspring can be registered, maintaining the breed's standards and value.
• Wethers: Wethers do not need registration papers because they are kept as pets. There's no need to spend extra money on registration for wethers, as it doesn't provide any additional benefits.

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🚧 Fencing

Proper fencing for goats is essential. If there is ONE thing you must do before you buy goats, it is to construct a safe and secure fence. Goats like to rub on fences, which is the main issue with wire fencing - they push on it to scratch. Sturdy wire is needed; we recommend woven wire fencing with 2"x4" openings - it holds up to rubbing and prevents head entrapment.  or hot wire strands to keep them away from the wire and perhaps scratching posts could help. They also try to stick their heads through openings and are very clever about getting out of their enclosures. Sufficient goat fencing needs to be escape-proof: high and tight. Our does use 4' fencing towards our home and 5' in the back at the woods, I suggest 5 foot or more. We haven't had an issue, but I have seen some kids jump right over a 4' fence to get to their owners. So keep this in mind; I cannot guarantee 4' is sufficient. Neighborhood dogs are the primary predators of goats in this area, and we also have bears. Therefore, it is crucial to ensure a dog cannot jump over their fence, you may need hot wire if bears are common in your area.  Use predator-proof latches on gates - spring-loaded or bolt-style - to prevent escapes and dog intrusion.

SEE image of our Buck pen at top of page and note the fence is NOT in the front of shed, we feel the best way to fence your shed is to NOT fence the front entrance, this will allow access to the front doors without having to trample through the goat's muddy run on those mornings or nights you are not in your work clothes. So, fence from sides of shed & out the back and add a chicken like "pop door" out the back for the goats to use.

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🏡 Housing

Nigerian Dwarf goats need a well-ventilated shed or barn for cover, sleeping, and protection from predators, wind, sun, cold, and heat in summer, as well as winter conditions. A three-sided structure is not enough. Goats need to be locked in at night to prevent predator access. Make sure doors latch securely - goats are clever, and predators are persistent.  You'll also need somewhere to safely store their grains to keep rodents at bay and goats from getting into it, and somewhere to dispose of their soiled bedding, such as a compost pile. Goats waste a lot of hay - and I mean a lot. (Research no-waste hay feeders.)” so proper disposal of soiled bedding is essential. Your structural needs will increase if you plan to breed and/or milk your goats, as you will also need kidding pens and a designated milking area. Adding a chicken pen-like small "pop door" for winter helps them keep even warmer compared to having the large door open, and a window in the pen is a plus for even more ventilation and light needed in winter months. However, use caution and wire/heavy screening on the inside of window to prevent them from breaking it!

Housing Setup Example:

An effective housing setup can involve a cheap used shed split in half, with one half for the goats and the other half for hay storage. Adding cheap linoleum to the floor on the goat side can make cleaning easier and help the floor last longer. The double doors let you access the hay area without opening the side where the goats are. Ventilation should be added to the two peaks of the shed for optimal airflow.  Cover peak vents with hardware cloth to prevent birds or rodents from entering. This setup works well for any gender. I will add a video of our BUCK pen to the bottom of this page, I believe the shed for our 2 bucks is 10' deep x 14' long.

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🌾 Hay & Nutrition

Hay:

Free choice 2nd cutting orchard grass hay should be available at all times. Nigerian Dwarf goats need a covered hay feeder outside year-round, with an additional small hay feeding area inside for the winter months. Always keep the hay dry and accessible. Avoid open troughs or ground feeding - goats won’t eat hay that’s been stepped on or soiled. For the first 8 months, the kids should have hay 24/7, so you'll need to provide hay inside even in the summer. After 8 months old, they don't need hay inside during the summer as long as you let them out early and lock them in later at dark. Wasted hay will build up quickly and cause more work for you. We estimate a grown adult to eat about 1 "slice" of hay each day.  A ‘slice’ refers to one flake from a standard square bale - roughly 3 - 4 inches thick. 

Bedding and Odor Control:

Using agriculture lime for livestock is a cost-effective way to keep smells at bay and control parasites. A layer of lime on the floor before adding bedding is recommended. Large pine shavings (never cedar) are ideal for summer bedding and can be cleaned as needed. During the winter, deep bedding helps keep goats warm. DE Diatomaceous earth is also great for parasites and bugs in the pen.

Diet and Nutrition:

A balanced diet is crucial for these goats. They need quality hay for fiber and grains for nutrition. Fresh water should always be available. Goats love warm water, especially in colder months. Sweet goat feed is available at local mills or Tractor Supply stores; buying local when available is recommended. For information on grain feeding males, refer to the wether and buck section.

Minerals:

All goats will need free choice minerals inside at all times. Minerals can get wet in humidity and goats won't eat them, so take half a cup out here and there as needed. Goats tend to eat more minerals during the winter months. We use Sweetlix Meat Maker for goats. Never use a sheep mix, as it does not have the needed copper for goat food. Minerals should be loose, not blocks. Goats don’t consume enough from licking blocks, and it can lead to deficiencies. Some people also use Manna Pro brand goat mineral for ease of purchasing at Tractor Supply. We also feed our does free choice kelp to help with zinc and other beneficial minerals and vitamins; it's not necessary but can be very beneficial. Additionally, baking soda is given free choice to our does but not the bucks. Huber's Animal Health sells livestock baking soda in big bags at a reasonable price.

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🩺 Health Care

VACCINES:

Our pregnant does receive a CDT injection 1 month prior to kidding so kids carry immunity until 4 to 6 weeks of age, it is then that a CDT vaccine is needed and a 3-week booster thereafter. Then goats need a CDT annual, please research pregnant doe needs in regard to vaccines if you plan to breed. Many goats will have a small lump or swelling at the injection site. This is normal and usually goes away on its own. If needed, clean the area and apply an antibacterial cream.

DEWORMINGS:

Kids will be dewormed before leaving, Please Learn FAMACHA, google it and see how its done with goats. You will need to follow up deworming in 10 days after your kid leaves and research on deworming goats and how to deal with worm loads etc, this is important. FAMACHA scoring uses the color of the lower eyelid to assess anemia caused by barber pole worms. Scores of 4 or 5 mean the goat needs treatment. Always deworm based on need, not on a fixed schedule, and rotate dewormers to prevent resistance.

COCCIDIA and young kids:

The bane of all breeders—and you need to keep an eye out for it. Coccidia is a serious concern for young kids. Please speak with your vet about prevention protocols before your goats arrive. Sulfa medications like Dimethox are commonly used for treatment and prevention. Medicated feed is not very effective against coccidia.

If a goat kid has diarrhea, it may have been overfed, gotten into bad feed, or developed coccidia. Treatment should begin immediately under vet guidance.

Important: Some medications, like Corid (amprolium), can interfere with thiamine absorption. If your vet recommends Corid, ask about thiamine supplementation during treatment to prevent deficiency-related issues.

We always follow a preventative protocol when keeping kids here. Speak with your vet about what to have on hand and how to administer it safely.

Coccidia thrives in damp, dirty pens. Keep bedding dry, feeders off the ground, and water buckets clean to reduce exposure.

HOOVES:

We trim hooves as needed, but also follow a quarterly goat care protocol. Every three months, we check and trim hooves, assess parasite load, administer copper bolus if needed, and review overall health. This helps us stay ahead of seasonal shifts and avoid emergency treatments.

Local Supplies:

We use Huber's Animal Health in Richland, PA, for all our animal needs, including feed, medicines, and vaccines, needles syringes, and more. Our hay is sourced directly from local farmers to ensure quality and support our agricultural community.

⚕️ Veterinary Care

It's essential to have a livestock vet lined up for any medical needs or emergencies. A vet experienced with goats will be invaluable in maintaining the health of your herd and helping you access medications when needed. While you can certainly handle your own vaccinations, deworming, and hoof trimming, having a vet available ensures you're covered when things get complicated. YouTube has plenty of educational videos to help with basic care.

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🔥 Disbudding, Horns & Polled Goats

Disbudding is the process of removing the horn buds of young goats to prevent them from growing horns. It is important for several reasons:

• Safety: Horns can injure both goats and handlers. Disbudded goats are less likely to harm themselves or others.
• Housing: Goats without horns are less likely to get stuck in fencing or other enclosures, reducing the risk of injury.
• Shows and Pets: Many goat shows require disbudded animals. Disbudded goats are also preferred as pets due to their reduced risk of injury.

Some goats can be naturally polled, meaning they are born without horn buds. Polled goats carry a dominant gene, so at least one parent must be polled for kids to inherit it. However, if your goat is not naturally polled, disbudding is a necessary step to ensure their safety and well-being. ALL goats that leave Lil Swatara will either be polled or have been disbudded at 3 days to 2weeks old depending on gender and initial size. A goat may scur (A scur is a partial horn that can regrow after disbudding. If caught before 6 to 8 weeks of age, it can be corrected).  Boys tend to scur before females. Scurs can grow in odd shapes and may break or bleed. If they appear, consult your vet or breeder about safe removal.

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🌿 Toxic Plants to Avoid

It's important to be aware of plants that are toxic to goats, as they can pose serious health risks. Common culprits include cherry trees (especially wilted leaves), rhododendrons, azaleas, and wild hydrangeas. These plants can cause symptoms ranging from mild digestive upset to severe illness or even death.

To keep your goats safe, research toxic plants specific to your region. Local extension offices or livestock vets can help identify risks in your area. Prevention is key - walk your pasture regularly, remove suspicious plants, and never assume goats will avoid toxic greenery on their own.

🐐 Questions About Our Goats or Breeding Program?

We’re a small, hands-on homestead in the Blue Mountains of Pennsylvania, raising ADGA/AGS registered Nigerian Dwarf goats with care and integrity. 👉 Reach out HERE if you’d like to learn more about our available goats, breeding plans, or herd health practices. We’re happy to share what we’ve learned from years of experience.

Below, you’ll find real-life photos of our setup, tools, and supplies—from fencing and feeders to FAMACHA cards, banders, and ammonium chloride. These visuals are here to help you plan, learn, and feel confident as you prepare for your own goats.