People have goats in ancient times. Since then, it took a lot of time there is a new breed that meets the needs of breeders. Among this variety stands out one breed – Nubian goats.
They are popular all over the world, but our country is not widespread, cause genuine interest from domestic breeders and farmers. This article is about the amazing breed Nubian goats.
The story of the breed
Ancestors of Nubian goats lived next to the man in the Nile Delta in a very long time. Researchers believe that in the 7th Millennium BC, these animals are actively bred in a number of African countries. But the breed name Nubian goats native to England. Therefore they are often called Anglo-Nubian goats. This is a relatively young breed. She was bred a little more than 100 years ago.
The appearance of the breed is connected with the appearance in the late 19th century goats from Africa. English breeders saw the potential newcomers and began to cross them with Indian and goats of local breeds. The result of this painstaking work was put new goats, a Nubian named in honor of the desert of Nubia.
The breed quickly spread across Europe. Needless to say, the breeders in other European countries seized the opportunity to improve the Nubians. In the veins of the modern representatives of this breed the blood of goats from Switzerland, England, Germany.
Official recognition of these goats received in 1896. And after 3 years, a few purebred representatives of the breed American seamen brought to the United States. The Americans managed to significantly improve the breed thanks to the linear and inbreeding. Bred in America animals are the best indicators of production of milk and meat than animals bred in England. The American hybrids are the most common today all over the world. But this does not affect the name of the breed. These goats are still called Anglo-Nubian.
In Russia these animals were from the United States. It happened in the 1st decades of this century. Currently breeding herd in Nubian goats in our country has dozens of goals. Of course, it is not enough for mass-rearing of these animals. In addition, the growth of population hinders the high cost of these goats. Domestic farmers are not yet ready to pay that kind of money.
Description of the breed
Anglo-Nubian goats have a memorable and unusual appearance thanks to the following features:
- Animal ears are large and hanging. They are located below the muzzle of the goat.
- Profile of the muzzle Nubian goats can be called “Greek”, through the nose with a pronounced hump.
- The animal’s face is convex. It has a pronounced rise at the top and a contoured descent from the nose.
- In height the animal reaches 90 cm.
- The legs of the Nubian breed of goats are long and slender.
- The neck is thin. On his neck there is a transverse groove.
- Body narrow and elongated.
- The goats on the head, there are always horns. Females can be with horns or without them.
- The females have large udders with long nipples.
Like animal fur short and glossy. The variety of color is striking.
The breed standards recognized the following colors of wool:
- Chocolate.
- Peg.
- Chestnut.
- Cream.
- White.
- White-brown.
- Black.
- Leopard print color.
The Nubian breed of goats differs fickle temperament. These animals are constantly looking for. They are often stubborn and it is very loud bleat.
The behaviour of these animals resemble dogs. They recognize the owner of the pack leader and you will follow him relentlessly. Breeders are encouraged to use this feature for raising animals since early childhood. If this is not done, Nubian goats, whenever possible, will demonstrate willfulness.
These animals love attention from people and easily contact them. But with children they don’t get along. Nubians love kids and want to play with them, that’s just for kids these games are unsafe.
Other goats Anglo-Nubian goats and dislike at the first opportunity seek to pick a quarrel. In the excited state, they can even attack humans. But as soon as the animals see the power of the enemy, immediately become docile.
Productive characteristics of
Nubian goats belong to the dairy group of rocks. Lactation starts immediately after the first lambing. Milk these goats give about 300 days a year. Each females you can get more than 3 liters of delicious milk a day. In a year you get about a tonne of useful product with a base fat content of 4.5%. Individual goats can give milk with a fat content of 8%. The percentage of protein in this product is quite high at 3.7%. This Western milk cheesemakers get a great cheese.
By the way, the milk from Anglo-Nubian goats goat has a peculiar odor. And the taste of this product is nut butter. However, the taste evaluation is always subjective. To evaluate the taste of the milk of the Anglo-Nubian goats need to try it myself.
It is worth noting, that with each subsequent lambing goats begin to give more milk.
Despite the fact that in Russia these animals are not bred for meat, it’s the Nubian goat is very tasty and devoid of all the unloved smell. With one goat you can get up to 50 kilos of meat, and a goat of more than 70 kg.
The pros and cons of the breed
In appearance these goats unconditionally bypass their rivals. But appearance is not their main advantage.
They have a number of other interesting advantages:
- Just a couple of lambing we females begin to produce 5 liters of milk per day.
- The ability to give milk up to 300 days a year.
- Milk with a high fat content.
- Rapid weight gain of young. This breed is perfect for those who want to get goat meat.
- Females produce offspring twice a year.
- At one time the female brings up to 3 kids.
- Kids always large and viable.
There are the Anglo-Nubian breed and a few drawbacks:
- Animals with dark coat colour suffer from midges.
- For Nubians, it is difficult to maintain. To get good yield you need to feed them hourly.
- They can be kept with other breeds.
The contents of the Nubian breed of goats
Anglo-Nubian goats have adapted to new weather conditions, but the climate is not very much. Therefore, to keep the hastily knocked together in their sheds will not work. Excess moisture and drafts will quickly destroy all the livestock.
Room for keeping of these animals shall meet the following requirements:
- Good illumination.
- Purity.
- A suitable temperature.
- Good ventilation.
As mentioned above, these goats do not tolerate members of other species. So, you will have to build their special building.
These animals prefer to sleep separately. Therefore, inside the livestock building will need to build wooden beach chairs. To the goats was softer, will need to be on top of sunbeds to lay the straw.
The litter will have to be changed regularlyas animals Anglo-Nubian breed is abhorrent to sleep on dirty straw.
For good milk yields and rapid weight gain Anglo-Nubian goat should be fed hourly in full compliance with the diet.
In winter the animals should get food 3 times a day.
Winter diet consists of:
- 5 kg of hay.
- 2 kg grain mixture.
- 1st kg of vegetables, silage or chopped twigs.
To stimulate the production of milk goats need to give steamed barley, and oats.
In winter and in summer, Anglo-Nubian goats must obtain vitamin supplements. Their best to buy off the shelf.
In the cold season it is recommended to pour in water to drink a bit of salt. In the summer you can put the coma of salt near the water troughs.
As for the schedule of feeding, it is every owner of these animals develops its own. Regularity allows to avoid stress to the goats.
If a dairy herd in summer contains in the pasture, then in the evening they should still receive a portion of barley, vegetables and fruits.
Special attention should be given to the goats. In mating season they should be fed grasses and legumes with vitamin supplements complexes.
Breeding
Farmers who breed this breed of goats, very quickly discourage investment. Judge for yourself: the goats reproduce 2 times a year for 2-3 kid. The average price for purebred Nubian – 120 000 rubles.
Breeding Nubians has the following features:
- They could interbreed with other Nubians, and other breeds.
- Crossbreeding tends to increase milk fat.
- You can get hybrids with rapid weight gain.
Nubian goat ready for breeding in a year and a half. And this despite the fact that sexual maturity of the animals reach 7 months.
Pregnancy lasts 4 months. In a litter does not happen more than 3 kids. Kids are fully viable and they can be immediately resettled in the manger.
Before you take youngsters, it is necessary to drink mother’s milk. It is necessary to run the immune system. Otherwise, the kids will quickly die from disease.
By choosing Anglo-Nubian goats, the farmer can be assured that you will get a lot of delicious and healthy milk, and excellent meat. However, it will have to provide the animal with quality nutrition and proper care.
