The Anglo Nubian Dairy Goat
The Anglo Nubian was developed in the United Kingdom using goats from the Middle East and India, and crossing these with the traditional Swiss breeds. Only ten Anglo Nubians were originally imported into Australia, so because of the small genepool they have been crossed with other breeds but maintain the exotic breed character. The Anglo Nubian is a dual purpose meat and dairy breed and comes in many colours. They are renowned for being colourful - coming in every colour and colour combination under the sun. They are also renowned for being stubborn, opinionated, individual and LOUD!
Why Anglo Nubians?
If Anglo Nubians are stubbon, opinionated, individual and LOUD, why on earth would I want one? I must admit though my nubian girls can be challenging sometimes compared with the mellow and laid back saanens, I simply could not live without them. They are affectionate in their own way, and very intelligent. They also offer some advantages in the world of dairy goats:
* High butterfat *
Anglo Nubians have, on average, the highest amount of butterfat in their milk out of all the dairy breeds. They will produce 5% or more butterfat. This leads to beautiful tasting milk which is also ideal for cheese-making. For those who are familiar with cows, the Anglo Nubian can be compared to a Jersey.
* The perfect goat for Western Australia *
Because of their origins in the Middle East and India, Anglo Nubians are perhaps the most ideal goat for our hot and dry climate in Western Australia. Anglo Nubians cope much better than the other breeds in a hot, dry and dusty environment. They do not get heat stressed or get sore and dusty eyes. Their milk yeild will not suffer during hot spells.
* A dual purpose breed *
Anglo Nubians are in fact a dual purpose meat and milk breed of goat. They carry more muscle than other dairy breeds, and for this reason if you decide you would like to raise some kids to put in your freezer, you will get more meat from an Anglo Nubian than from a Saanen or other dairy breed.
* Colour *
As much as we love our Saanen babies, white white white gets a little boring! I don't think there is a goat breeder anywhere who doesn't admire the myriad of colours within the Anglo Nubian breed. Kidding time is always a wonderful surprise as you never know what colour the babies will turn out to be. And for those interested in tanning skins, the hides make wonderful colourful rugs.
* Easy milking udders *
I personally adore milking nubians - they have thinner and softer skin on the udder which means you don't need to put as much pressure on the udder when milking - leading to an udder which is very easy to milk.
* High butterfat *
Anglo Nubians have, on average, the highest amount of butterfat in their milk out of all the dairy breeds. They will produce 5% or more butterfat. This leads to beautiful tasting milk which is also ideal for cheese-making. For those who are familiar with cows, the Anglo Nubian can be compared to a Jersey.
* The perfect goat for Western Australia *
Because of their origins in the Middle East and India, Anglo Nubians are perhaps the most ideal goat for our hot and dry climate in Western Australia. Anglo Nubians cope much better than the other breeds in a hot, dry and dusty environment. They do not get heat stressed or get sore and dusty eyes. Their milk yeild will not suffer during hot spells.
* A dual purpose breed *
Anglo Nubians are in fact a dual purpose meat and milk breed of goat. They carry more muscle than other dairy breeds, and for this reason if you decide you would like to raise some kids to put in your freezer, you will get more meat from an Anglo Nubian than from a Saanen or other dairy breed.
* Colour *
As much as we love our Saanen babies, white white white gets a little boring! I don't think there is a goat breeder anywhere who doesn't admire the myriad of colours within the Anglo Nubian breed. Kidding time is always a wonderful surprise as you never know what colour the babies will turn out to be. And for those interested in tanning skins, the hides make wonderful colourful rugs.
* Easy milking udders *
I personally adore milking nubians - they have thinner and softer skin on the udder which means you don't need to put as much pressure on the udder when milking - leading to an udder which is very easy to milk.