Goat Breeds and Selection Capra hircus

Goat Breeds and Selection Overview U Major Breeds of Goats (Dairy, Meat and Mohair)

Dairy Goat Breeds More people in the world drink goat milk than cow milk, although in the US the opposite is true. Goat milk is similar nutritionally to cow milk, but it contains smaller fat globules and as a consequence it is easier for some people to digest and it does not require homogenization.

Major Breeds of Goats Alpine (French Alps) Alpine (French Alps) Alpine (French Alps) U Medium to large sized U only breed with upright ears U all colors and combinations of colors. U Hair is medium to short U straight face with roman nose.

Major Breeds Goats Golden Guernsey (Channel island: British) Golden Guernsey (Channel island: British) Golden Guernsey (Channel island: British) U color varies from cream to brown U usually polled U lower in milk production than most Swiss breeds U higher in butter fat and protein %

Major Breeds of Goats Saanen (Switzerland) Saanen Saanen U Usually yields 3-4% milkfat U medium to large in size U white or light cream in color. U Ears are erect and carried forward. U Face straight or dished Are popular with dairies due to the quantity of milk they produce.

Major Breeds Goats Nubian (Oriental) U Large framed U face being convex between the eyes and muzzle U ears are long, wide and pendulous. They flare out in a bell shape. U Any color or colors, solid or patterned Their milk tends to be higher in protein and butter fat than other breeds.

Major Breeds Goats LaMancha (Oregon) U Face is straight U Gopher ear - max one inch in length preferably non-existent U U They have ears that are so small that it looks like they don't have ears (no cartilage) U Elf ear-max. length of two inches with tip being turned up or down U Any color or combination is acceptable. U Hair is short, fine and glossy U high butterfat

Major Breeds of Goats Toggenburg (Switzerland) Toggenburg U Medium in size U Hair is short or medium in length U Ears are Erect and Forward U Face may be straight or dished U Color is solid varying from light fawn to dark chocolate U Distinct white markings Uwhite ears with dark spot in middle Utwo white stripes down face from above each eye Uwhite legs below knee and hock Uwhite triangle on either side of the tail. Usome have wattles Oberhasli kid with wattles

Major Breeds Goats Angora (Asia Minor) Angora U Both sexes are horned U Pronounced spiral to the horn U Utilized in Mohair Production (Mohair is a silky textile produced from the hair of the angora goat). U White in color

Goat Breeds and Selection Angora Goat Selection U In selecting for fiber, one is interested in both quantity (weight) and quality of fiber (length, fineness, style, character, etc.). U In addition to fiber, one must be concerned with traits that contribute to the survival or viability (soundness, fertility, etc.) of the individual.

Major Breeds Goats Boer (South Africa) Boer (South Africa) Boer (South Africa) U Also known as the Africander U Early maturing U Predominantly white with red head but some solid red exist. U Fertile

Major Breeds of Goats Spanish (Spain) Spanish U Feral goat or brush goat native to U.S. U Descended from the goats that were released or escaped from the early Spanish explorers U Utilized for meat. U Fat content is less than beef.

Major Breeds Goats Nigerian Dwarf (West Africa) Nigerian Dwarf Nigerian Dwarf U Main colors are black, chocolate and gold with random white markings. U Breed year round U They give 3-4# of milk per day at 6 to 10% butterfat U They make great pets

Major Breeds of Goats Pygmy Goat (Africa) Pygmy Goat Pygmy Goat U Full coat of straight, medium-long hair. U All colors are acceptable U muzzle, forehead, eyes and ears are accented in tones lighter than the dark portion of the body. U Make good pets