Their mother, “Cupcake,” is two years old and their father, “Rodney,” is a year and a half old. The baby goats, known as “kids,” are all healthy and happy. They join two additional kids, a male and a female born in early November. All five kids will be on exhibit through Spring 2014, at which time they will be transferred to their new home at Roger Williams Park Zoo in Providence, Rhode Island.
Cupcakes’ kids eat hay and grains and will spend the next few months nursing. The kids are not named as of yet. Rodney is the father of all five kids. Visitors may remember that Cupcake and Peaches both gave birth to twins this past spring. Rodney was the father of those four goats, as well. All four were transferred to Louisville Zoo in Louisville, Kentucky in August.
About Nigerian Dwarf goats
Nigerian Dwarf goats are miniature dairy goats. The milk produced by these goats has higher butterfat content than their larger counterparts and tastes much sweeter. A doe (a grown female) can produce up to two quarts of sweet milk a day. Most females will grow to around 18 inches, while males can reach 23 inches. They weigh just around 75 pounds when fully grown and can be a full spectrum of colors, from black, brown, and white to spotted or striped. Bucklings (young males) may be fertile around 7 weeks of age, while mature females can breed as early as 8 months of age. These goats can breed year round as the gestation period is approximately five months.
Connecticut's Beardsley Zoo is closer than you think and 362 days a year from 9:00 am to 4:00 pm. Adult admission (ages 12 & older) is $12.00, children (ages 3 -11) and senior admission (62 and older) is just $10.00, and children under 3 years old are free. Zoo members also are admitted free. Parking at the Zoo is free of charge. For more information www.beardsleyzoo.org
No comments:
Post a Comment