| The hardest times are yet to come. Preparing for | | | | Dwarf Goats. |
| these hard times could be the most important task | | | | |
| you do for yourself and for your family. What | | | | Nigerian Dwarf Goats are fairly small, typically being |
| happens if you become disconnected from the | | | | around 21 inches high, and are very friendly. |
| electric grid? Will you be able to have a steadily | | | | Blue-eyed goats are more common since it is a |
| reliable source of food that can ensure the health of | | | | dominant gene within the species. The coloring of |
| your family? There is nothing like the feeling of living | | | | their hair is generally always varied (depending on the |
| self sufficiently. Why pay the high prices of today's | | | | parents), with different frosting and spotting patterns |
| economy when you can make or build it yourself? | | | | sometimes mixed in. It has become increasingly |
| Grow your own garden, build a greenhouse, raise | | | | popular to have them as pets since they are so |
| chickens for eggs and meat, and milk your own dairy | | | | gentle and easily trainable. Some say refer to them |
| goats. | | | | as a half-dog, half-goat livestock animal who it will be |
| | | | | as much fun to interact with as it will be to farm |
| When you consider embarking on the journey to | | | | with. Now, this isn't exactly important when you're |
| raise your own dairy goats, you'll want to factor in a | | | | considering a dairy goat, but if you have children then |
| few things. | | | | you'll understand the importance of having amiable |
| | | | | livestock. |
| | | | | |
| | | | | Now let's discuss milk production. Dwarf goats give a |
| 1. How much space do I have for these animals? | | | | very surprising quantity of milk for their size. |
| 2. What type of natural feed do I have available? | | | | Production will range from around one to 8 pounds of |
| (pasture or wooded areas) 3. Do I have the | | | | milk daily, with an average of 2.5 pounds. Their milk |
| funds available to support large goats? | | | | has a higher butterfat content than milk from |
| | | | | full-sized dairy goats, usually about 5% but going as |
| Economically speaking, there is no better livestock | | | | high as 10% at the end of a lactation. This makes |
| animal out there than goats in regards to | | | | Nigerian Dwarf goats ideal for families, because their |
| self-sufficient living. In regards to goats, there are no | | | | milk can be used for cheese and soap making. |
| breed as economically sound as Purebred Nigerian | | | | |