Practices
Our practices may be different than you find elsewhere. We wanted to have a source of fresh, wholesome milk in quality and quantity; including cheeses, ice cream, butter, and desserts. We chose to raise Nubians because the flavour and quality of the milk cannot be beaten. Compared with other breeds, the milk of the Anglo-Nubian goat is high in both butterfat and protein, tests having shown an average of 4.8% butterfat and 3.8% protein.
Sancta Grotto began in 2013 with a small herd of large and healthy does. We allow them to raise their kids and they still provide enough milk for us to drink and make cheese. They milk easily from 10 months to often 1 1/2 years before we dry them up for future kidding. We practice holistic husbandry for the health and longevity of the goats. We maintain a closed herd which is TB, Brucellosis, CAE and CL Negative.
The herd consists of quality bloodlines that produce the type of Nubians that we like. We are currently using lines influenced by Saada Golden Oak; Saada Forest Frau; Thunder-Ridge; Iron-Owl; and Kastdemur. We breed for large, productive animals with good health and loving dispositions. We prefer strong dam lines and breed for a correctly uddered Nubian with a long, level lactation of high fat and protein milk by using superior bucks. We like bucks who are big, but easy to handle even in rut. We have carefully bought individuals that blend well with each other and give us the type of Nubian kids we love and make us happy. I hope they will make you happy too!
Nubian goats are the “Equatorial type” that come from hot climates, such as Boers, Spanish & Fainting, and also Pygmies. Even though Nubians can breed anytime of the year, our does are usually bred from about Aug. to Dec/Feb. A doe will come into heat about every 21 days and a buck will stay in rut during the entire breeding season. We maintain a small herd and strive to keep our prices reasonable and affordable for people who want sweet, fresh milk. If you are new to the country life or new to goats, we enjoy helping people learn. It is a rewarding experience to have fresh milk which is so sweet and healthy.
Over half of the world’s population drinks goat milk. As a breed, Nubians produce a very rich, creamy milk. They are sometimes referred to as “the Jerseys of the goat world” and for our needs, they are just the right choice. The butterfat content is higher than other standard breeds, the milk is sweet, creamy and has no “goaty” taste or aroma whatsoever. Goat products are great for our immune system. This is attained from the copper used by the goat for their immune system health.