Nigerian Dwarf Goats |
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Our Story
Nigerian Dwarf Goats are a cornerstone of Heart's Pasture. When we dreamed big as young farmers, we decided that this breed of goat was a perfect fit for our heavily wooded land. They are easy to work with, and they clear the brush of a wide variety of tree and plant species, big and small. In return, we get to drink their quality milk, high in butterfat, and superior in creaminess and healthfulness. We started with two unregistered goats; thus began our journey into farming!
As time passed we came to value the dairy strength that resulted when adding Nigerian Dwarf Goats that have proven genetics with American Dairy Goat Association (ADGA) pedigrees. We decided to invest in goats that meet the breed standard but exhibit exceptional dairy accomplishments with proven linear evaluations.
Because we started with unregistered goats, with unknown genetics, we have seen first hand the difference between a goat with a pedigree that has a reputation for being "dairy" as opposed to one without. This led us to value high quality genetics for all of our animals when we expanded our farm, and it now applies to our Icelandic chickens, guinea fowl, American guinea hogs, and livestock guardian dogs.
With this in mind, it is our goal to one day be one of the premier goat breeders in the country.
As time passed we came to value the dairy strength that resulted when adding Nigerian Dwarf Goats that have proven genetics with American Dairy Goat Association (ADGA) pedigrees. We decided to invest in goats that meet the breed standard but exhibit exceptional dairy accomplishments with proven linear evaluations.
Because we started with unregistered goats, with unknown genetics, we have seen first hand the difference between a goat with a pedigree that has a reputation for being "dairy" as opposed to one without. This led us to value high quality genetics for all of our animals when we expanded our farm, and it now applies to our Icelandic chickens, guinea fowl, American guinea hogs, and livestock guardian dogs.
With this in mind, it is our goal to one day be one of the premier goat breeders in the country.
Our Nigerian Dwarf Goats
Here at Heart's Pasture in beautiful northern Michigan, we have a small but mighty herd of naturally raised Nigerian Dwarf Goats. Our goats are like family. We love their personalities and have come to understand their forage preferences and social hierarchies through observation and bonding (lots of pets and brushing included). Though we also highly value their strong milking genetics as referenced by their pedigrees, it is very important to us that our goats are able to express their "Goat-ness" to the highest degree possible.
As a family, we spend as much time with our goats as possible, provide them with healthful, conscientious forage, hay, and minerals, and, in general, give them everything that they need in order to live a long prolific and satisfying life on our farm.
Simply put, these goats at Heart's Pasture get our best care. This means in addition to plenty of fresh water and hay made of no-spray, local, native browse they get:
As a family, we spend as much time with our goats as possible, provide them with healthful, conscientious forage, hay, and minerals, and, in general, give them everything that they need in order to live a long prolific and satisfying life on our farm.
Simply put, these goats at Heart's Pasture get our best care. This means in addition to plenty of fresh water and hay made of no-spray, local, native browse they get:
- Daily walks in our “15 acre wood” to browse for tasty leaves and grasses
- Herbal goat treats
- Organic, non-GMO Alfalfa
- Organic, non-GMO, soy-free grain when on the milk stand
- Free choice minerals, free of chemicals and animal byproducts
- Free choice kelp with Herbamins
- Apple cider vinegar in water
- No soy
- No corn
- And of course lots of pets, scratches, and love from us!
* Our herd tested negative for CAE, CL, and Johne’s Disease in 2022. *
