If you’ve visited the farm recently, you may have noticed three new faces peeking over the fence with impossibly long floppy ears and plenty to say.

Meet the newest members of our little farm family—three Mini Nubian goats!

I’ve always loved Nubian goats. Those long, pendulous ears and sweet Roman noses have had my heart for years. But there was one little problem…full-sized Nubians are BIG! Much larger than what comfortably fits into our little farm and the way we manage our herd.

Then one day I discovered Mini Nubians.

I remember thinking, Wait…there’s a smaller version?

Well, not exactly tiny—but definitely more manageable. Mini Nubians are created by crossing the elegant standard Nubian with the adorable Nigerian Dwarf goat, giving you many of the best qualities of both breeds.

As soon as I learned about them, I knew I wanted some.

After a bit of searching, I found New Morning Farmstead, a wonderful micro dairy in Windsor, Vermont—only about a two-hour drive from us. They raise Mini Nubians for their delicious raw milk and happened to have three wethers (neutered males) looking for homes this year.

I honestly couldn’t resist.

So now these three boys have joined our herd…

…simply because they made me smile.

Sometimes that’s reason enough.

What Makes Mini Nubians So Special?

Mini Nubians are considered a mid-sized dairy breed. They aren’t tiny like Nigerian Dwarfs, but they’re noticeably smaller than standard Nubians, making them easier to handle while still keeping all of that classic Nubian charm.

Their signature look is impossible to miss.

Those wonderfully long floppy ears often stretch past the end of their noses, and their distinctive Roman profile gives them such a regal appearance. They also come in nearly every coat color imaginable.

And their personalities?

Absolutely delightful.

Mini Nubians are known for being gentle, affectionate, curious, and wonderfully social. They love spending time with people—and they’re famous for carrying on conversations with both humans and other goats. If you hear someone chatting away in the barn, chances are it’s one of our new boys offering his opinion about something!

Small Size, Big Dairy Production

Although our three boys are simply pampered pets, Mini Nubians have become incredibly popular with homesteaders for another reason—their milk.

Mini Nubian does generally stand about 23 to 29 inches tall and weigh around 100 pounds, while bucks reach about 31 inches and can weigh up to 135 pounds. Compare that with full-sized Nubians, where does often exceed 135 pounds and bucks commonly weigh 175 pounds or more.

Despite being smaller, they’re remarkably productive.

A Mini Nubian doe can produce around two quarts of milk a day during her lactation, giving about two-thirds the milk of a standard Nubian while eating only about half as much feed.

Even better, Nubian milk is naturally rich in butterfat—often averaging between 4.5% and 5% or even higher. That extra butterfat makes the milk exceptionally creamy, sweet, and perfect for making chèvre, yogurt, ice cream, soap, and other dairy products.

No wonder so many homesteaders love them.

Those Famous Ears Have a Purpose

Everyone comments on their ears first!

Besides being adorable, those oversized ears actually help Mini Nubians regulate their body temperature during hot weather by increasing airflow and releasing excess heat.

Of course, living in Vermont means we spend a lot more time talking about winter than summer.

Our Nigerian Dwarf goats and Angora goats seem to shrug off cold weather with very little concern. The Mini Nubians, however, definitely appreciate a little more shelter and protection when the temperatures drop.

Fortunately, they’re settling into Vermont life just fine.

Just For Fun

People often ask if we’ll be milking them.

Nope!

Our three boys are wethers, so their only job is to enjoy life, greet visitors, make everyone laugh, and add a little more personality to the farm.

And judging by the amount of chatting they’ve already been doing, I think they’re taking that job very seriously.

If you come for a Barn Visit this summer, don’t be surprised if these handsome boys are among the first to welcome you. Just be prepared—they may have a story or two they’d like to tell!