He's home!

He's here!

After sharing our plans to bring in a Nigerian Dwarf buck to support first freshener does for next season, the next chapter has officially begun. "Nugget" is home.

He made the trip riding up front like he belonged there, calm and curious the entire way, occasionally nudging me for some scratches. At just about two years old, he’s already mature and confident. He settled into quarantine easily and has been taking the transition in stride. Good temperament matters just as much to us as pedigree, and Nugget’s steady, friendly nature confirms we made the right choice.

His primary role here remains exactly what we outlined before: helping young Oberhasli does start their first kidding with less strain and stress. Large single kids, which Oberhasli first fresheners are prone to, can make those early births more demanding than necessary, even when outcomes are good. Nugget’s smaller frame gives us a practical tool to encourage smoother deliveries and quicker recoveries, supporting doe welfare during one of the most important stages of her life.

At the same time, Nugget carries strong dairy genetics that align with the goals of our herd. His dam brings solid milk performance and a functional udder, and those qualities matter regardless of size. Any kids he sires will still be selected for real dairy character, including structure, milk potential, and temperament. The intention is never novelty. It’s function first, always.

Nugget also brings some fun color genetics into the picture. As a chocolate buck with blue eyes and a few white markings, it’s natural to wonder what that means when paired with our bay Oberhasli does.

In first-generation crosses, the classic Oberhasli bay pattern is very dominant. Most kids are expected to still look strongly Ober in appearance, with warm tan bodies and dark points. Nugget’s influence may show as deeper, richer tones or the addition of white markings such as socks, blazes, or tail tips. Kids with facial white have a higher chance of inheriting blue eyes. True solid dark or heavily Nigerian-style patterns are possible, but uncommon in this first cross.

In practical terms, we expect the majority of kids to remain visually recognizable as Ober-type animals, simply with a bit of added personality. Color is never prioritized over structure or performance, but it’s always enjoyable to imagine the variety thoughtful breeding can produce.

Looking ahead, Nugget also leaves the door open for a future Mini Oberhasli direction if we decide to explore it. Any such step would be taken slowly and intentionally, with the same focus on dairy function, sound structure, and calm, capable animals. For now, his role is clear: support young does, strengthen herd welfare, and give us flexibility for thoughtful development down the road.

Every herd evolves through small, intentional decisions. Nugget represents one of those steps. He’s here with a purpose, a steady presence, and the genetics to support both immediate goals and future possibilities.

We’re excited to see how this next chapter unfolds.