The Nubian goat is also known as the Anglo-Nubian goat. It is a dual-purpose breed that developed in Britain during the 1800s.
This breed was created by mixing local British goats with large goats that had long, floppy ears. These goats came from India, the Middle East, and North Africa.
Many of the goats used in the early breeding were brought to Britain on ships. These ships, run by the P & O Steamship Company, carried goats to provide fresh milk and meat during long trips. When the ships reached British ports, some of the goats were sold. People called them “Nubians,” no matter where they originally came from.
The first Anglo-Nubians were officially registered in 1910. In the early 1900s, some of these goats were sent to the West Indies. From there, they later arrived in the United States in 1909. Others were also exported to Brazil.
Today, the breed is found in more than 60 countries and is often simply called the Nubian in many of them.
According to reports from 2007 and 2020, the breed is not considered at risk globally. However, in the United Kingdom, it was listed as “endangered” in 2020.
Contents
Characteristics
Color
These goats come in many different colors, such as black, brown, white, tan, red, and cream. They can also have spotted or patchy patterns, like white with brown or black spots.
Some Nubians are solid-colored, while others have a mix of colors or markings on their face, legs, or body.
Head, Face, Ears
Nubian goats have a very special look. Their head is long and narrow, and their face has a curved shape, called a convex profile. This means their nose is slightly rounded or arched, not straight like in some other goat breeds.
One of the most famous features of the Nubian goat is its ears. They have very long, wide, and floppy ears that hang down beside their face. These ears are called pendulous ears, and they give the goat a soft appearance.
Mouth
The mouth is formed so that the teeth line up with the hard upper pad, but it is still acceptable if the lower jaw is slightly behind, as long as the teeth are not seen.
Horns
Both male and female Nubian goats are born with horns, but many farmers choose to remove the horns when the goats are young.
Body
The body is long, and the back part can be a little higher than the withers, as long as the spine stays straight.
Forequarters
The forequarters is shaped with high withers and nicely fitted shoulders that blend into the body. It is broad between the shoulder points and has enough space for the heart. The front legs are straight and stand directly under the body. They are slightly longer than the chest depth. The pasterns are upright and short.
Feet
The feet are the right size for the body and stand evenly.
These goats are artiodactyls, which means they walk on two main toes, using the front part of their feet.
Udder and Teats
The udder is round in shape and is attached to the body across a wide area. It is high, soft, and not too fleshy.
It is not loose or hanging down, and there is no deep line between the two halves. The teats are even, placed well apart, and point slightly forward.
The milk duct is big enough to let a strong stream of milk flow. The milk veins are large and easy to see.
Size
Nubian goats are large animals. Their height at the shoulder is also tall. Bucks can be about 35 inches (90 cm) tall, and does are around 31 inches (80 cm).
Lifespan
Nubian goats can live between 10 and 15 years.
This lifespan is normal, especially for goats that are well cared for. Some smaller breeds may live a little longer, but many goats live around 8 to 12 years. So, Nubian goats have a fairly long and healthy life if they receive proper care.
Growth Rate
How fast do they grow?
Nubian goat kids grow fast in their first few months.
On average, they can gain around 0.2 to 0.4 lbs (100 to 200 g) per day during the early growth period.
How much they grow depends on their diet, health, and genetics. With good care and nutrition, they can reach their full size in about 1.5 to 2 years.
Males usually grow faster and bigger than females.
Weight
Adult males can weigh up to 310 lbs (140 kg), while females can reach up to 240 pounds (110 kg).
Slaughter Time
When raising Nubian goats for meat, the age at which you slaughter them depends on the type of meat you want.
For kid meat (similar to lamb), you should slaughter at around 4 months old. For a kid-to-mutton mix, it can be done between 5 to 9 months old. For mutton, you can slaughter the goat when it is over 1 year old.
Temperament
Nubian goats are known for their friendly personalities.
They behave well not only around other animals but also with humans. They enjoy attention and are often happy when someone spends time with them.
These goats are also smart and curious, which means they love to find ways to escape and can sometimes get into trouble. They like to explore and may try to get out of fences or enter places they shouldn’t go. Because of this, it’s important to keep their living space safe and properly closed.
Nubians also have strong personalities and can sometimes be a little stubborn. In their group, they show their place in the herd by head-butting or rearing up, which is normal goat behavior.
In addition, these goats are very vocal. They have loud voices and are not afraid to use them.
Usage
Farmers keep Nubian goats to produce both milk and meat.
Milk
One of the main uses of the Anglo-Nubian goat is the high-quality milk it produces. These goats are more commonly raised for milk than for meat, thanks to the richness and nutritional value of their milk, which is especially valued in cheese-making.
The Anglo-Nubian’s milk is notable for its high butterfat and protein content. On average, it contains 4.8% butterfat and 3.8% protein, making it richer than the milk of many other breeds. Because of this, cheese-makers prefer Nubian milk, as they can produce more cheese from less milk. For example, 1.32 gallons (5 liters) of Anglo-Nubian milk at 4.5% butterfat contains the same amount of fat as 1.98 gallons (7.5 liters) of milk at 3% butterfat, reducing processing costs.
While Nubians may not produce as much milk as some Swiss breeds, the quality makes up for the slightly lower quantity. A typical Anglo-Nubian nanny gives around 1.03 gallons (3.9 liters) of milk per day. Exceptional goats have produced even more, with the highest recorded 24-hour yield reaching 2.18 gallons (8.25 liters), and the top annual yield recorded at 668 gallons (2,531 liters).
Most Nubians are capable of daily yields of 1.06 to 1.32 gallons (4 to 5 liters) and annual lactations of 275 to 330 gallons (1,040 to 1,250 liters). This makes them a strong choice for both home use and small-scale dairy production.
Raising
Feeding
Feeding Nubian goats properly is very important for their health, growth, and milk production. Their diet should change depending on their age, purpose, and condition.
Growing goats get their main food from milk when they are kids. After a few weeks, you can start offering them hay, such as alfalfa or grass hay, along with small amounts of grain or pellets made for young goats.
By the time they are 2 to 3 months old, they should eat mostly solid food, and you can begin to wean them off milk.
Lactating does need more energy and protein in their diet to keep producing milk and to stay healthy. For this, give them high-quality alfalfa hay, grain or concentrate feed, and a mineral mix made for dairy goats.
If you notice she is losing weight, you can also add molasses or beet pulp to provide extra calories.
Mature non-lactating goats, such as dry does or bucks, need a balanced diet. Good-quality grass hay or mixed hay is usually enough.
If you have pasture, let them graze or browse, as goats enjoy eating leaves, shrubs, and weeds. You can also give them a small amount of grain, but not too much.
Don’t suddenly change their diet. Always introduce new foods slowly to avoid upsetting their stomachs.
No matter their condition, all goats should always have access to fresh water and salt blocks.
Environment
A great environment for these goats is a pasture-based system. They love grazing and browsing, so they do very well on open pasture. They enjoy eating grass, leaves, shrubs, and weeds.
Nubians can also be raised in more controlled settings, such as barns or pens, especially in areas with limited land or during bad weather. In this case, you must give them a balanced diet that includes hay, grains, and minerals, and make sure they have enough space to move around.
Climate
Nubian goats are very adaptable and can live in different types of climates. They come from breeds that were originally from the Middle East, India, and North Africa, so they do very well in hot and dry weather.
They can also live in mild weather or humid climates, but you must keep their shelter clean and dry to avoid health problems.
These goats can live in cold places, but they need good shelter, dry bedding, and protection from wind and rain. Their short coat does not keep them very warm.
How many goats per acre?
Nubian goats are a large breed, so they need more space than smaller goats. The number of goats you can keep on one acre depends on the quality of your land and the local climate.
If the pasture is in good condition, with healthy soil and plenty of grass, you can raise 6 Nubian goats per acre.
In this case, it’s best to use rotational grazing so the grass has time to grow back.
If the conditions are not ideal, for example, if the land is dry, the grass is poor, or the climate is cold, you should keep only 2 to 4 goats per acre. In these situations, you will likely need to supplement their diet with hay or grain, especially in the dry season or winter.
Breeding
The rules for breeding Nubian goats are similar to those for other goat breeds. It’s important to wait until the does are mature enough, usually around 8 to 10 months old, or when they reach 70% of their adult weight. Bucks can start breeding from 6 to 8 months, but they are more effective after 8 months.
Nubians are seasonal breeders, with most does coming into heat between late summer and winter. A heat cycle lasts about 24 to 48 hours and repeats every 18 to 21 days.
During the breeding season, bucks develop a strong smell that does appreciate, but it is unpleasant for humans. So, it is best to keep the bucks in a separate area, away from your house or milking area.
Pregnancy lasts about 150 days (5 months), and Nubians often have twins, though single and triplet births are also common.
After birth, kids should drink colostrum within the first few hours. You can allow the doe to raise them or choose to bottle-feed, depending on your management system.
Health Issues
Even though they are usually healthy, Nubian goats can get worms, which may cause weight loss, tiredness, and a poor coat. It is important to deworm them regularly and keep their living area clean to help prevent this.
They are also at risk for hoof problems, especially if their hooves are not trimmed regularly or if they live in wet, muddy areas. This can lead to hoof rot, which makes it painful for them to walk.
Because Nubians have long ears, they can sometimes get ear infections if dirt or bugs get inside. The ears can also have issues in cold weather because they are long and hang down, making it easy for them to get wet when goats drink water or when it snows or rains. If the weather is very cold, the water can freeze on their ears, which may cause frostbite. This can be painful for the goat and may even damage the ear.
To protect Nubian goats in winter, it’s important to keep their shelter dry, clean, and warm. Make sure the water troughs are not too full, so their ears don’t dip into the water. Some farmers even dry the ears by hand after the goats drink in cold weather.
Advantages
- Dual purpose breed
- High-quality milk and meat
- Friendly and social
- Adaptable
- Good breeders
- Strong and hardy
- Large size
Disadvantages
- Very vocal
- Seasonal breeders
- Can be stubborn
- Need regular care like hoof trimming, clean shelter, deworming
