Named by Jackson. Born blind. Already a handful.
Steve
A bottle-fed baby goat with big ears, an uncertain breed, and a name only a kid could come up with. He has an uncle Steve. That’s all the explanation we have.
Steve
Steve was born completely blind and came to us as a bottle baby. Jackson named him. When asked why Steve, Jackson said he has an uncle Steve. That was the whole explanation, and honestly it’s a solid one.
He’s still on a bottle but he has strong opinions about it and makes sure everyone within earshot knows when he’s ready for the next feeding. He’s also discovered fresh grass and a little grain, which he is very much in favor of. He navigates with his nose, his ears — which are substantial — and whatever confidence he was born with, which appears to be considerable.
We’re still working out exactly what Steve needs as he grows. Blind baby goats require extra attention, consistent environments, and ongoing veterinary care. He’s in the right place for all of that. We’re figuring it out together, one bottle at a time.
“Jackson named him Steve. He has an uncle Steve. That was the whole explanation — and it fits perfectly.”
As for his breed — our best guess is Nigerian Dwarf or a Nigerian Dwarf mix. Small compact frame, upright ears, finer face, coloring that matches. But baby goats are notoriously hard to pin down, and Steve isn’t telling. We’ll know more as he grows.
About Steve
Steve’s Ongoing Needs
- Regular veterinary care as he grows
- Consistent, predictable environment for navigation
- Bottle feeding until weaned
- Companion animals for sound orientation
- Specialized monitoring as a blind animal
- A whole lot of patience and grace
Help Support Steve
Blind baby animals need more — more vet visits, more attention, more of everything. Your support goes directly toward Steve’s care and the rest of the animals at Hidden Bee Farm.
Support Steve’s CareNigerian Dwarf Goats — Small, Smart, and Loud About It
Nigerian Dwarf goats are one of the smallest dairy goat breeds in the world, originally from West Africa and now one of the most popular small goat breeds in the United States. They’re compact, friendly, and have an outsized sense of their own importance — which describes Steve pretty well.
They’re known for being easy to handle, good with children, and extremely vocal when they have an opinion. They have an opinion about most things. Their milk is rich and high in butterfat, which makes them popular on small farms, but plenty of Nigerian Dwarfs are kept purely as companions. They live 12 to 15 years or longer with good care.
Size
Nigerian Dwarfs typically stand 17 to 21 inches at the shoulder and weigh 60 to 80 pounds as adults. Small enough to be very manageable — not small enough to be underestimated.
Personality
Friendly, curious, and very aware of themselves. Nigerian Dwarfs bond strongly with people and are known for being active, playful, and not especially quiet about their needs.
Bottle Babies
Bottle-fed baby goats like Steve require feeding every few hours initially, transitioning gradually to solid food over several weeks. They imprint strongly on their caretakers — which is both sweet and occasionally inconvenient.
Blind Goats
Goats born blind can live full, healthy lives with consistent environments, companion animals, and patient handling. Their other senses — particularly hearing and smell — are sharp, and they adapt well when given the chance.
Help us give Steve the start he deserves.
Blind baby animals need extra care, extra patience, and consistent support. Your donation goes directly toward Steve and every animal at Hidden Bee Farm.
Support the Rescue Meet the Other Animals