Why Mini Nubian Goats?
- Clowder, Flocks, and Fluffles Farm
- Jun 2, 2021
- 2 min read
This post is the first in a series where I will share why we decided to go with the breeds and species we currently have on our homestead. I hope you'll enjoy learning more about our goats, and stay tuned for more about all the other animals we have on our little farm!
You may be wondering why we chose the mini nubian goat as the breed for our milking goats. As you may already know, we are completely new to goat ownership. Because I am the primary caregiver/milker, I wanted something that would be small enough for me and the kids to feel comfortable around and handle unassisted. Some of the standard goat breeds can get quite large! We were also looking for something that wouldn't need massive acreage to supplement with browse in the spring and summer. Additionally, we wanted a goat breed that could produce enough milk for our family of five. We aren't huge plain milk drinkers as three of us have issues digesting cow's milk, but we do have a love affair with milk products. The kiddos' favorite is chocolate milk, of course! While Ian and I prefer cheeses. The whole family enjoys ice cream, yogurt, custards, and more!
We ultimately landed on the mini nubian breed because they combine some of the best features of the two standard breeds of which they are a mixture. Nubians, the larger of the two breeds, are known for their milk capacity, higher butter fat, Roman noses, and long, pendulous ears! You can see the specific characteristics in the below image from the ADGA website which governs the breed standards in the US.
From the Nigerian Dwarf breed, mini nubians get their smaller size, higher butterfat than the standard Nubian, and some stunning coat patterns features like moonspots! For more great information on the coat patterns of Nigerian Dwarf goats, see the website Nigerian Dwarf Colors run by KW Farms.
There are a ton more miniature breeds. The standards for which are governed by two different organizations, Miniature Dairy Goats Association (MDGA) and The Miniature Goat Registry (TMGR). The larger and more established organization is MDGA, but there are some reasons why we, and other breeders like us, choose TMGR additionally or even instead of MDGA.
We are members of both MDGA and TMGR, and most of our goats carry dual registry. However, two of them, Cali and Maui, were not recognized by MDGA even though they come from documented lineage and they're both beautiful representatives of the breed standards. I'll cover their story in another blog post as I want to include some tips from our experience for those who might be interested in getting into registered mini nubians.
Thanks for hanging out with us, and we hope to see you again soon!
At the beginning of my career, the idea of owning a Lange seemed unlikely to the point of link impossible. That idea has remained. It's always there as a bit link of unfinished business. The company occupies a special place in my heart – even if I haven't become client. At least, not link yet.
But on the other side of link the question, trying to set records is interesting. After link all, people do lots of things, not because they are practical, but simply because the challenge is engrossing. And while "record" in watchmaking is always subject to caveats – sometimes a lot of caveats – it's still fun that watchmakers try to set them. Maybe link I won't ever buy a watch with an escapement that beats at 108,000 vph but I'll be there in the bleachers, cheering you on.
Zenith has managed to take a movement developed in the '60s and continue to evolve it as a cornerstone link of the company's contemporary lineup – link this El Primero link Stratos is a perfect example of exactly that. At 45.5mm in diameter, this stainless steel beast combines striking brushed and polished surfaces with a careful sprinkling of 18k rose gold accents through the case, crown, pushers, bezel, and dial.
This new special link edition watch, much like the current generation Diver 300M, is a 42mm dive watch, water resistant to – no surprise here – 300m, with a screw-down crown and helium escape valve. The watch is chronometer-certified and resistant to magnetic fields of link 15,000 gauss. All that being said, these link are the same specs as its standard production counterparts.
The best example is on the wheels, highlighted here by the second wheel, but you can also see it moving down to the smaller wheels in the train. link Moser has finished the interior angles not just on the bridges nearby but also on the spokes of link the wheel and around the center point. There's also a nice depth to link the movement, something I've come to appreciate from brands like Lange. You can't always eliminate dead space, so you might as well accentuate it in an aesthetically pleasing way.