Nubian goat breed - description and description

Those who have decided to raise goats on their own farm or on a small farm are in doubt when choosing a breed. There are several breeds from which you can get tasty meat and milk. The Nubian breed is currently not very common in Russia. However, the breed has a huge number of advantages, so it makes sense to breed it.

Origin

The origin of the Nubian breed is rather unusual. The gene pool was taken by English breeders from the African Republic of Namibia. This explains the name of the breed - "Nubian".

The pure blood of animals combined the genes of local goats, cattle from Switzerland and India. A personal contribution to the breeding of the breed was made by breeders from America. They were able to increase the productivity of goats in the meat and dairy direction. However, the British are still considered the first. Therefore, the full name of the breed sounds like "Anglo-Nubian."

In Russia, it was precisely America that began to import the breed. It happened in 2000. Today, there are only a few dozen goats of this breed. For large-scale breeding, this amount, of course, is not enough. The cost of breeding young individuals is more than 120 thousand rubles, so the breed is in low demand.

Breed characteristics

Representatives of this breed have a rather unusual appearance. The main feature of the exterior are large hanging ears, which are located below the goat’s muzzle. In this way, they are similar to basset hounds (a breed of dogs).

Habits also resemble dogs - they believe that their master is the leader of the pack, follow him, respond to the names. When they see a stranger, they run to him, making loud noises.

Representatives of the breed have a pronounced "Greek profile". But the color can be very diverse:

• piebald;
• brown;
• bay;
• beige;
• white
• black
• with spots "under the leopard."

Goats have a short, silky and smooth coat. Males are always with big horns. Females are usually hornless, but this is not a dominant feature of these animals. Foreign breed can be described as large - the body weight of sexually mature females can reach 80 kg. Males can reach 100 kg in weight. The height at the withers is 90 cm. The paws are thin, proportional to the body, the neck of the animal is long.

It is impossible to say exactly what kind of character the breed is: some breeders note the waywardness and injustice of the animals, while others, on the contrary, say that they are affectionate, kind and quiet. It is likely that these conditions are influenced by the conditions in which the goats are kept, how they are fed and how the owners relate to them.

Productivity

Milk is enriched with protein - its content in the product is not less than 3.7 percent. Its taste is described as nut-cream, milk has no peculiar smell. Although, the palatability of milk may differ in every animal, even the same breed.

Owners notice that goats, even during the "courtship games", do not notice any unpleasant odor that can affect the quality of milk. This means that there is no reason for keeping individuals of opposite sexes in different rooms. It should be noted that an increase in milk yield is noted with each subsequent lambing.

As already mentioned, the breed is designed to receive not only milk, but also meat, the weight of animals increases rapidly. In Russia, goats are usually not bred “for meat”. However, in the situation with this exotic breed, you can get not only high-quality milk of high fat content, but also meat with excellent taste. Its taste is pleasant, there is no pungent smell.

Advantages and disadvantages of the breed

The appearance of Nubian goats has no competitors. However, they have a lot of other advantages, when compared with other breeds:

1. The productivity of females after three lactations can reach five liters per day.
2. Lactation is at least 300 days in 12 months.
3. The milk of these goats has a high percentage of fat content, so it can be used to make tasty cheeses.
4. Young individuals are rapidly gaining weight, the meat of this breed is a delicious product.
5. In one lamb, two or three kid dogs may appear, and they are large and strong.
6. Goats can bring offspring twice a year.

If we talk about the downsides of the breed, we can note the following:

1. Individuals with a colored color are attacked by bloodsucking parasites more often than those with a white color.
2. Representatives of this breed must be carefully looked after and adhered to a special feeding regime, giving food at the strictly allotted time.
3. Such goats cannot be kept in commercial farms. Unable to tolerate nearby other livestock species.

How to keep and care for goats of the Nubian breed

Although such goats acclimatized, they do not tolerate the harsh climatic conditions of many Russian regions. To contain them, a barn in which the wind walks does not fit. Drafts and high humidity have a negative effect on animals - they can get pneumonia. Little kids in such conditions can die only when they are born.

There are some requirements for the room in which these animals will be kept: it must be bright, clean, warm and have good ventilation.

Attention! Overseas goats will not tolerate representatives of other breeds near themselves. Besides the fact that they will behave aggressively, their productivity will decrease.

Separate sunbeds made of wood are perfect for Nubians, and straw is used to cover them - they like to sort it out and try the most delicious stems. Straw should be replaced regularly: the animal will not go to bed on the contaminated surface, it will behave uneasily, which will affect the amount of milk.

The owner of the Nubian goat should pay special attention to its diet, as well as to the feeding regimen. During the wintering period, food should be given three times a day.

The diet should consist of hay (about 5 kg), concentrates from grain (about 2 kg), vegetables, silage, branches (about 1 kg). The calculation of the volume of concentrate per individual is quite simple. The amount of feed must necessarily consist of 300 g, to which 250 g for each liter of milk that the animal gave must be added. Goats really like brooms made from pine, as well as bark of linden, hazel, willow, mountain ash or maple.

A noticeable increase in the number of milk yields can be achieved by including oats and barley in the goat's diet, previously grinding or steaming them.

Without fail, vitamins are given to Nubian women. They are present in specialized feed intended for meat and dairy breeds. In the winter months, it is advisable to add salt to the drinking water. In the summer - put licks next to containers with drinking water.Chalk should be part of the diet all the time.

It is necessary to feed and milk the goat according to a strictly established schedule (the owner of the animal is engaged in its development individually). This is necessary to avoid stress, and therefore reduce goat productivity.

If the herd is kept in pasture conditions, in the evening, oats, barley, fruits and vegetables should be added to livestock feed. It is necessary to remember the males: during the mating season, they should eat intensely, legumes, cereals, vitamin complexes, and minerals are desirable.

How Nubian goats are raised

Anyone who decides to breed Nubian goats can ensure a good profit for themselves: the cost per goat of pure breed is at least 120 thousand rubles. Nubians show good productivity when they breed.

The main feature of this breed is the possibility of crossing both with a representative of the same breed and other species. Thanks to this, you can achieve excellent results:

• increased milk fat;
• productivity increase;
• accelerated weight gain.

You should know that the kids that have just been born do not have immunity against diseases. Therefore, it is necessary immediately after birth to give them maternal colostrum. A few drops of healthy fluid “turn on” the kid’s immune system.

When choosing representatives of the Nubian breed for breeding, you can be sure that the productivity of the animals will be high, milk will have a large percentage of fat content, and meat will have excellent taste. But the owner will have to make some efforts to provide the cattle with proper care and proper nutrition.

Video: breeding and keeping Anglo-Nubian goats