Nigerian Dwarf Goats

Small in stature, big in personality, and right at home on the Eastern Plains. Originally from West Africa and officially recognized as a USDA-certified dairy breed, these gentle, curious goats are a natural fit for Our Red Barn Ranch. Visitors of all ages step right into the paddock with the herd, and Christiann plans to put their exceptionally rich milk to work in handcrafted goat milk soap for alpaca fiber felted products made right here on the ranch.

Why Nigerian Dwarf Goats at Our Red Barn Ranch?

We were renovating a house this past winter, as side hustle, to put on the market for the owners. Then we got to know them — a couple who had spent two years trying to build their dream homestead before finally admitting it was… well, a lot harder than Pinterest made it look.

They had three horses and a herd of Nigerian dwarf goats. The horses were easy — we found them wonderful homes.

And then there were the goats.

Nine of them.

Seven females (does), one breeding male (buck), and one sweet, neutered companion male (wether) who was sweet, clueless and had absolutely no idea what all the fuss was about.

The buck was intact, the does were all running with him, and I took one look at the situation and thought, Oh boy… we’re about to have a population boom.

The owners didn’t know what to do other than haul them to auction, and that just didn’t sit right with me.

So I made an offer and brought the whole herd home, figuring the universe had just shoved us into goat ownership whether we were ready or not.

First meeting, of the new members of the home team at ORBR
Taking stock of our new home…
Newcomers meet Team Leads at ORBR

Goat home move, cold weather and…

The first thing I did was separate the boys from the girls — which felt a little like locking the barn door after the horse had already galloped off into the sunset, but it made me feel responsible.

Then January rolled around, and with it came the coldest weather we’d had all winter.

Naturally, that’s when the babies decided to arrive. Two sets of twins in one day. We scrambled to set up heat lamps and propane heaters, turning the barn into a neonatal goat ICU. And the babies just kept coming.

As of April 2026? Fifteen kids so far — including two sets of triplets who strutted in like they owned the place.

I never expected goats to steal my heart the way they have.

Even with their escape‑artist tendencies and their “rules are optional” attitude, they’ve brought so much joy, chaos, and laughter into our lives. I can’t imagine the ranch and daily life, without them, now.

About the Breed

Nigerian Dwarf Goats trace their roots to the West African Dwarf goat, a small, hardy goat that thrived across tropical West and Central Africa for centuries — valued for both milk and meat by local communities. Tough enough to outlast larger imported dairy breeds, these little goats proved their resilience long before making their way to American soil.

The journey to the United States is one of those great accidental stories in livestock history.

Beginning as early as the 1930s, West African Dwarf goats arrived on ships — originally as feed animals for big cats being transported to American zoos.

The goats that weren’t needed ended up at the zoos themselves, where they quickly became crowd favorites.

Over time, keepers noticed two distinct types emerging from the zoo population: a stockier, heavier-bodied animal that became today’s Pygmy Goat, and a more refined, angular, dairy-typed animal that became the Nigerian Dwarf.

Dedicated breeders worked to formally recognize and develop each breed separately, and in 2002, the Nigerian Dwarf was officially accepted into the American Dairy Goat Association (ADGA) herdbook as a certified dairy breed, with full registry status established by 2005 — no small distinction for such a small goat.

Brunch time!
Food! We stay in the pen for that
Plenty of Room for the Buffet Line

Nigerian Dwarf Goats at a Glance

Origin: West and Central Africa
Size: Females stand around 22 inches tall; males around 24 inches — roughly knee height on most adults.
Weight: 50 to 80 pounds at maturity
Lifespan: 12 to 15 years
Temperament: Calm, friendly, curious, and social — known for gentle interaction with people of all ages
Milk Production: Up to a half gallon per day, with higher butterfat and protein content than most standard dairy breeds
Kids per Pregnancy: Twins and triplets are common — Nigerian Dwarf does are enthusiastic mothers
Herd Animals: They do not do well alone — they thrive in the company of other goats and are excellent companions for alpacas, horses, and other livestock
Classification: USDA-certified livestock dairy breed; 4-H and FFA eligible

Breeding & Health Notes

Sexual Maturity: Bucks are ready to breed as early as 3–4 months; does at 7–8 months — one reason separating boys from girls early matters.
Gestation: 145 to 153 days, with twins, triplets, and even quadruplets all well within normal for this breed.
Milk Composition: Nigerian Dwarf milk runs 6–10% butterfat and 3–5% protein — richer than most standard dairy breeds, which is what makes it exceptional for soap-making, cheese, and butter.
General Health: Hardy and manageable with standard small ruminant care — routine attention to parasites, hoof maintenance, and proper nutrition keeps this breed thriving.

The kids are so friendly, they become “lap goats”
Goats are born climbers!
Wondering…and Wandering Goats – Kids!
trough to eat in, maybe a slide for us to play on after breakfast?

Right at Home on the Eastern Plains

The grassland plains south of Calhan aren’t always gentle — hot dry summers, hard winters, and wide open wind are a fact of life out here. Nigerian Dwarf Goats handle it all without complaint.

Hardy and Adaptable: Originally from tropical West Africa, this breed is built tough. They handle heat, drought, and cold equally well — a key consideration for Colorado’s swing-season extremes.
Small Acreage Friendly: Their compact size makes them one of the most practical dairy and companion animals for small to mid-sized operations. No sprawling pasture required.
Easy Keepers: Nigerian Dwarfs are efficient grazers and browsers. They don’t demand the same feed investment as larger livestock while still returning significant value in milk, companionship, and herd energy.
Natural Herd Integration: At Our Red Barn Ranch, the Nigerian Dwarfs share space and paddock time with alpacas, Angora goats, horses, and ponies — and they fit right in. The breed is well known for getting along with just about everyone.
Productive Year-Round: Does can breed outside of typical seasonal windows, giving ranches more flexibility in managing kidding schedules and milk production throughout the year.

When the cold weather strikes? We provide kid coats
Lucy is a grand Nanny for our newborns and early arrivals
Oh, that baby goat face!! Too cute!

Small Goats, Big Personalities

If you’ve ever spent five minutes with a Nigerian Dwarf Goat, you already know — they are characters. Curious, playful, and remarkably gentle, these little goats have a way of making instant friends with just about anyone who walks into their space.

At Our Red Barn Ranch, the experience isn’t a petting zoo behind a fence. Visitors step right into the paddock alongside the herd — and the Nigerian Dwarfs are usually the first ones over to investigate a new arrival, whether that arrival is a seasoned rancher or a toddler in rain boots.

Gentle with All Ages: Their small size and calm temperament make them one of the safest livestock breeds for close interaction with young children and visitors with no farm experience.
Naturally Social: Nigerian Dwarfs have been used as companion animals in nursing homes, veteran facilities, and hospitals — that friendly, even-keeled personality isn’t just for the farm.
Playful and Entertaining: Kids (the baby goat kind) are especially irresistible — and with twins and triplets arriving regularly at the ranch from February through spring, there’s no shortage of entertainment during kidding season.
Great for 4-H and Youth Programs: Their manageable size and gentle nature make them a top choice for young handlers — even the youngest 4-H members can confidently work with and show this breed.

From Goat Milk to Handcrafted Soap

Nigerian Dwarf Goats produce milk with a naturally higher butterfat content than most standard dairy breeds — which makes it exceptionally creamy, mild, and well-suited for both drinking and crafting. At Our Red Barn Ranch, that milk doesn’t stop at the pail.

Christiann is currently developing the ranch’s first batches of handcrafted goat milk soap — rich, gentle bars made right here on the property. And in a combination you won’t find just anywhere, the soap-making will come together with the ranch’s alpaca fiber program: locally grown alpaca fiber incorporated into felted soap, combining two of Our Red Barn Ranch’s signature animals in one beautifully practical product.

Watch this space — and the Fiber Farm Stand — for when they’re ready.

Goat Milk Soap: Currently in development — Christiann is perfecting the recipe using milk produced right here by the Our Red Barn Ranch herd.
Felted Soap with Alpaca Fiber: A hands-on craft bringing together goat milk and alpaca wool in a unique fiber arts application — coming soon as both a class experience and a finished product.
Hands-On Classes: Soap-making and fiber felting classes are planned at the ranch — check the Hands-On Learning page for current offerings and availability.
Farm Stand: Finished soaps and felted products will be available in the Fiber Farm Stand as production ramps up.

Visit In Person to Meet Our Nigerian Goats

Resources

Want to learn more about Nigerian Dwarf Goats? The following resources provided helpful background for Nigerian Dwarf Goats — and are great starting points if you’re considering this breed for your own operation.