Many first time farmers find a problem selecting goat breeds that are suitable for them. Below are some of the goat breeds reared around the world.
Saanen Goat Breed
Saanen goat breed is one of the most popular dairy breeds in the world. The breed was developed in Switzerland and has been used for crossbreeding to develop other dairy breeds. It has white and short coat hair. Saanen possess short pointed ears and a straight face. Mature Saanen male weighs 75kg while females weigh 50kg. Its milk production averages 500-900kg per 250-300 milking days.
Toggenburg Goat Breed
Toggenburg, a Swiss breed is a dairy goat breed that originated from the Toggenburg valley of Switzerland. The breed was developed through crossbreeding between Chamoisee and Appenzell goats. It was crossbred with Somali goats to produce dairy goats in Ethiopia. Toggenburg is the oldest registered breed among livestock breed
The breed is fawn to light grey to dark chocolate in color, characterized by white strips that run from the muzzles to the eyes and polls. Ears and legs are also white. Mature males weigh 65kg while females weigh 45kg.
Males stand at 75-85cm while females stand at 70-75cm in height. Its coat is shakier compared to other goat breeds. Its milk production is 930kg per lactation with 3.0% butterfat and 2.7% protein content. Toggenburg is less docile compared to other goat breeds.
Alpine goat breed
Alpine goat breed is a medium sized breed kept for milk production. It originated from the alp mountains of France. The breed is widely used for crossbreeding to improve other goat breeds dairy qualities as the breed is a heavy milker. There are 3 breeds of alpine namely British alpine, French alpine and rock alpine.
A mature alpine male weighs 77kg while a female weighs 61kg. Alpine buck stands at 81cm while doe stands at 76cm in height. Coat color range from grey to brown and black. The breed has erect ears that are medium sized. Its coat hair ranges from short to medium in length.
Alpine goat is a hardy breed that is able to adapt to any climatic condition. Alpine kids take 5-6months to mature. The breed is horned and bearded. It is a docile breed that is friendly. It produces 970kg of milk per lactation with 3.4% butterfat content and 2.8% protein content.
Damascus/Shami Goat Breed
Damascus, also known as Shami goat is a dairy breed that is popular in eastern Mediterranean countries and Iraq. The breed is one of the Nubian breeds. It is normally a polled breed; when horns are present, are medium-sized in length and diameter that orient backward and downwards. The horns tend to twist in Bucks while sickle-shaped in does. It has long and pendulous ears, reaching 25-30cm.
The breed is tall in height with male measuring 75-89cm while females measure 60-76cm; with pronounced “roman-type” nose. milk production averages 250-558kg per lactation, mature bucks weigh 50-90kg while does weigh35-65kg
Birth weight of Damascus kids is 3-4.2 kg and wean at 19 kg. Multiple births are common and are registered at 70% of the births.
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