Nubians and an Oberhasli question

I picked up a decent looking Nubian buck because I swear I had read something about them being cold hardy and good milkers. Turns out the latter, but not the former, I'm told. Does anyone have any experience with pure bred nubians being raised in the frigid prairies?



I'm interested in Oberhasli goats as well, as my girl, Gretel, is amazing -- I just love her. It seems as though there are very few registered in Canada, so I was wondering if anyone knows of or owns unregistered obers in Saskatchewan?

Thanks!

Nubians need alittle extra care in the winter you have to watch them sometimes as their ears can freeze if they get wet But you will be surprised how cold hardy they are. How old is the Buck you got?
Any goat will need a Dry Barn with bedding and not alot of wind blowing through to make it in our harsh winters They will not venture out in deep snow or if it is to cold so you will be feeding hay in the barn also.

As for the Ober I really dont know anyone but there is a Buck for sale on Sask Goats
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Dont know if they still have him but they might know people that have Ober's in the area

Sorry not alot of help But Maybe Karona will see this as She raises Nubians and can answer you better

I contacted Ron this morning about the Ober buck -- he's sold. He's going to put me in touch with a breeder in MB.

Last winter, when we had 13 foot drifts, my 3 does (at the time, anyway) were out and about in it all day long, they just loved it. 2 were cashmere X Spanish and the other was an Ober -- couldn't keep them locked up they loved it so much.

I need something exceptionally hardy as we work in the city during the day. I may have to re-route my nubian hopes after all -- I love the appearance of the bucks and how big they are.

Your Nubian should be fine just make sure he has a place to go if he starts to get cold and make sure he has lots of good quality hay to keep the Rumen working correctly. They will lose alot of Fat in the winter so they will eat alot of hay. and drink alot of water Mine I kept water warm with a heater
Nubians are Regal looking animals I am sure he will work for you Like I said he will just need a warm place to go

Not sure if our weather is as cold as the prairies
but we do get spells of -35 for a few days.
So far in the 10 yrs we have been here I have
not had any problems with ears.
I do feed in the barn and they have complete
shelter from the wind and rain.
One thing I now use is a heavy canvas left
here from the previous owner. (I think it came
from the mill)
I make little tented areas for them to hunker down at night
and in real bad weather. The smaller the better
to contain body heat. Is your buck alone?
It would be better to have company for him
to sleep together, especially if he is young.
Maybe a wether.

The buck is in with 5 other goats, 3 does and 2 soon-to-be wethers.

We have sustained periods of -30 degree weather, ie, sometimes a month at a time or more where -30 is the high, plus wind chill.

Do they have access to a barn and
inside the barn you could build a smaller
shelter to bed down in. Something that
they can all fit in but small enough
their body heat stays in and keeps
them all warm. Deep bedding also
helps. You could also raise this
shelter a few inches off the ground
to create a dead air space. Take
note of which may most of your wind
comes from and make the openings
to the barn and the smaller shelter
facing away from the wind. If the
two openings face different directions
that also will redirect the wind.

Also do you plan on keeping your
buck with the girl all year?
If you plan on milking I would suggest
having him seperate. Also if he is
seperate you can control the breeding
and have set due dates for the does.

Hope this helps.

Thanks Karona;

They have access to a barn. It's small and compact, not drafty and, since it has a cement floor, is very well packed with flax straw. Their hay trough is in there and the door faces the proper direction -- there's windbreaks for most of their fenced area.

The buck and soon-to-be wethers will move to their own pen come spring, it's just not ready yet. I know about buck taint in milk, and I also remember something from Fowler about putting stairs on the outside of the pen so the does would go in when they were interested. Seems like it would work to me.

Thanks again for the tips.

My Nubians were hardy enough..
Fast growing, etc! Their crosses more so! The odd Nubian will pull on your heart! Keep an eye on their ears. They can do well. Mine were vocal and often too smart! Good Nubians cross well, put colour, and meat on dairy!
My fav goat is La Mancha! Quiet, NICE milk production with fat content, hardy, and good flesh! 

If we were to do over, we would go all pure LaMancha. Superior in production and climate for duel purpose..For self sustaining. Easy to handle and sweet natured goats!! 

Nubian are the better sell though to others. People love the ears!!

We aren't as cold as you, but built a wind block for the barn entrance.
The goats have to jump up into the barn. This means the cold can't enter as easily. An idea stolen from igloo design. Goats love jumping, so it works out well.
They also have to turn in through a maze like door that blocks the wind.
They ripped apart the first one we built, but we are redoing it this year with a clear roof and cedar sides. We are being trained well