Australian Nigerian Dwarf Dairy Goat Breeders

18/03/2025

At Dandalee Park we tattoo all our dairy goats. We do this to permanently identify them as early as possible. Unlike mandatory tags -which we also use, tattoos can not fall out, be removed and replaced so are a good precaution in the case of theft etc. We tattoo very young using a small tattoo applicator. That also ensures the individual kid is permanently identifiable even before tags are fitted. It also allows us to wait until Nigerians ears grow a bit bigger before tagging. Tagging too young is more difficult and the weight of the tag can permanently spoil the kids ear carriage. Please note tags are mandatory in most states, tattoos are a mandatory requirement of some breeds societies (such as DGSA, with who we register our goats).

Tattooing is not difficult but it does require a degree of preparation and thoroughness to ensure administered and documented correctly. Easier done will kid is young and easier to restrain. Attached video is very informative and hope you find it helpful. It’s from USA. In Australia we also put our brand in the right ear. Your brand is stated on your PIC card. It’s unique to your property and is usually two letters and one number. You put a unique consecutive number for each kid in their left ear. In USA they combine this with a letter depicting the year. You may choose to do this however we simply use the next number in kidding order as listed in our kidding register. For example we are currently up to 1150. I can see merit in a year letter but the different coloured tags already depict the year born.

Tattoo equipment is available in Australia. However we purchased ours from Caprine Supplies (USA) as they had smaller equipment sizes more suited to Nigerians tiny ears.

Best of luck with tattooing your kids.

Step by step tutorial on how to tattoo a baby goat.You will learn what supplies you need and the best technique to make sure your tattooing experience is fla...

16/01/2025

Reposting the Nigerian Dwarf Assessment guide for those new members who may not have seen previously

11/01/2025

Social Media - A word of warning

Advances in technology continues to provide goat enthusiasts with an increasing array of communication channels to help them get the most out of this wonderful pastime. Social media platforms can assist sourcing goats, equipment, meeting and communicating with others who share this passion. They can be very useful to share experiences and seek advice, however there are also dangers associated with this medium and users need to be vigilant and take care when using these.

1. Scammers. unfortunately, as with many forums where things are bought and sold, some vendors may not be legitimate or their products as advertised. This is particularly true with sales of higher priced goats such as Nigerian Dwarfs. Unfortunately some sale adverts are scams. Vendors having stolen photos from legitimate breeders pages and used to place “false/fake advertisements”. Buyers should take care to investigate thoroughly and ask to view the animals, equipment or products before forwarding deposits etc.

2. inferior quality. Not all goats are equal. Cheapest doesn’t mean best - and poor quality goats eat just as much as productive, quality ones. I encourage you to purchase quality stock through reputable breeders. Request information on health status, CAE and Johnes testing, worming and drenching regime etc. registered goats should come with papers that confirm breeding pedigrees, age etc. if buying to milk ask for milking history, production data, milk awards of the goats on offer and/or close relatives. Ideally try milking does yourself prior to determine ease and temperament. If too young or unkidded investigate the qualities of other close female relatives, particularly mother, sisters, sires mother etc. as traits are often very hereditary.

3. Unqualified advice. Too many times I’ve seen posts on social media asking for veterinary advice. Usually this consists of a single photo accompanied by often limited information. This can be very problematic as responses are based on this limited information, which may not fully present all the necessary facts, symptoms or context. Responses, whilst sent with good intent, can be unqualified, misinformed, outdated or even dangerous to the goat’s health. I strongly encourage you to seek professional advice and set up your own communication channels with experienced mentors and veterinarians outside social media chat rooms.

4. Risk to privacy. Be aware publicly publishing personal information can leave you at risk of being robbed, identity theft or being targeted. For example, radical anti farming groups were creating maps of farms (including goats) for use in targeted raids etc. one dairy was the subject of a number of these raids that caused a huge biosecurity risk and disrupted their business multiple times. Goats were stolen and it caused significant financial and emotional burden to that business.

Whilst social media can be a wonderful forum to showcase, celebrate and share - do so carefully and be aware of risks. Enjoy!!

12/11/2024

Useful advice on determining the age of a goat by its teeth,

27/10/2024

When breeding Nigerian Dwarfs (or any livestock for that matter) I believe the breeder has the responsibility to do so with the aim of advancing their goats toward a breed standard of perfection. It must be noted that a breed standard is not about producing a “pretty” goat that can excel in a show ring but a list of attributes that allow a Nigerian Dwarf to have a long and productive life, minimising risk of potential health issues. Showing Nigerians helps a breeder monitor how they are progressing towards breeding a goat with desired traits. Each breed society has its own breed standard that judges will use to assess goats at their respective shows. These standards may differ but only in minor aspects generally. The important criteria are the same. At Dandalee Park we breed to, and register with, the Dairy Goat Society of Australia (DGSA). Below is the DGSA Nigerian Dwarf Breed Standard. I strongly encourage breeders to become familiar with the Breed Standard of which ever Society(s) they choose to join. Breeding towards that Standard will result in a more robust and productive animal thereby better able to function and thrive providing more reward with minimised issues to its owner. Happy goat breeding!

Nigerian Dwarf History Small goats from West Africa (the West African Dwarf) and/or the Southern Sudan were the origins of the Nigerian Dwarf Dairy Goat. These little goats were used as a feed source for the large cats which were shipped to zoos in the USA. Those that survived became zoo attractions...

27/10/2024

With the hot weather approaching it’s important to be aware of potential impact on goats and prepare accordingly. Here is an article to help increase knowledge and understanding. I hope you find it informative and useful.

https://goatjournal.iamcountryside.com/health/when-youre-hot-youre-hot/ #:~:text=Ventilation%20is%20important%20in%20keeping,chance%20of%20a%20goat%20overheating.

Heat and humidity can be as detrimental for goats as it can be for humans. Learn the causes and warning signs of heat stress in goats.

16/10/2024

Goats are browsers - they tend to forage on leaves and bark away from ground as opposed to grazers. Attached is an article about this. I encourage goat owners to take this in to consideration when planning their property. Planting fodder trees is a great cost savings addition to your goats diet and fencing off existing trees to protect them is also essential. Also be mindful some plants are poisonous and need to be removed or securely fenced so your goats can not access them. Hope you enjoy the article.

https://goats.extension.org/goat-pastures-considerations/ #:~:text=As%20natural%20browsers%2C%20given%20the,%2C%20orchardgrass%2C%20crabgrass%20or%20bermudagrass.

Posted on August 14, 2019August 14, 2019 by goatsGoat Pastures Considerations Considerations to Be Given to Goats for Pastures Goats are very active foragers, able to cover a wide area in search of scarce plant materials. Their small mouth, narrow muzzle and split upper lips enable them to pick smal...

16/08/2024

Busy day shovelling out the maternity wing and putting down fresh pine shavings. Girls seemed very pleased. Not long to go now - about a week until they are due to commence kidding in earnest. Kid pens ready - fingers crossed for a smooth, uneventful kidding season. Also less than 6 weeks until Perth Royal!

28/03/2024

Unfortunately it’s very accurate lol.

27/03/2024

Very useful illustrations to help with understanding different birthing presentations and intervention required.

By request - here is a full album of the goat birth presentation images. These pictures will help you visualize what you may be feeling in a birth malpresentation. We do not use a snare when assisting.These illustrations originally appeared in Dairy Goat Journal - now Goat Journal - in an article by Linda Carlson. Please do not share these images without crediting the source.The article is here:
https://countrysidenetwork.com/topics/livestock-topics/goats-livestock-topics/what-to-do-in-a-kidding-emergency/?utm_source=LTWG&utm_medium=FB&utm_campaign=Apr2019

These are available in Printable Goat Note format to online subscribers of Goat Journal magazine.

06/02/2024

Elephant ear and Taro plants are poisonous for goats and can cause both acute and chronic poisoning due to high oxalate levels. These can bind calcium supplies in the goat's body.

30/01/2024

For those interested in assessing and monitoring their goats milk production below are the results of a recent milk production test undertaken at Dandalee Park. It’s called a 24 hour test and basically measures individual does production over 24 hours. A monitor is used to identify each goat, measure and take samples and authenticate the process. Samples are sent away for independent analysis. If does achieve above predetermined benchmarks of quantity and milk quality they can apply for milk awards through DGSA. These awards are permanent and linked to their registrations. Subsequent generations can build on to the awards of their direct parentage. Historical milk records are a valuable tool to assist guiding future breeding programs as well as providing real production data to promote your goats. Below is a table showing Dandalee Park does and their respective achievements and awards in our November 2023 test. I hope you find it informative and strongly encourage you to consider participating in this scheme. Additional information is available from you State’s Herd Recording Officers.

25/01/2024

An oldie but a goodie!!! SD First Fleet Felix EX92, still looking good at 7 1/2 yrs of age. Arguably Australia’s most successful Nigerian Dwarf sire to date. He achieve the first very prestigious DGSA Sire of Distinction (SD) for his breed requiring over 8 daughters to achieve their respective individual *Q* one day milk production awards. It’s estimated he has around 20 awarded daughters to date. He also sired countless show champion sons and daughters across Australia as well as achieving Excellent 92 himself in Classification. Dandalee Park are very grateful to own this remarkable boy and benefit from the his legacy. We firmly believe very careful, calculated, well researched sire selection is critical to the breeds development in Australia. We see too many bucks kept entire without the quality and proven performance of their mothers, and other close female relatives that warrant their use as future sires. With so many Nigerians now being bred we strongly encourage other breeders to “shop around” , look for proven superior dairy attributes when selecting Nigerians to join their respective herds. This is the only way the breed can improve and progress in future. Happy Nigerian breeding for 2024.

12/01/2024

Currently Nigerian Dwarfs can be registered with a number of breed societies. Dandalee Park register with the Dairy Goat Society of Australia (DGSA) which uses an upgrading Appendix system for all breeds including Nigerians. Other Miniature societies use different systems based on percentage of Nigerian breeding. This percentage system assumes 100% for Nigerians imported to Australia as embryos as well as semen from USA Nigerian bucks. Non Nigerian does are 0% and offspring the average of the parents percentages. Some goats are dual registered and /or transferred from a breeder in one society to a buyer in another.

The table attached shows how the DGSA Appendix system interprets percentage based registrations.

Also the DGSA gives each goat registered with it a unique Registration Number. This number contains a lot of useful information including breed, gender, appendix, polled/disbudde or horned. I’ve included a useful extract from DGSA Herd book explaining how to interpret this information from the a goat’s registration number.

I hope you find the attached information useful.

11/01/2024

Another very hot day here at Dandalee Park. Weaned some of this seasons Nigerian doe kids off bottles. Needless to say they aren’t very happy about it.