How can you tell a Boer goat?
A Boer goat should have a Roman nose and pendulous ears. o Color – a Boer goat should have a white body and dark red head and neck, yet all colors are acceptable. The Boer goat's distinctive color helps it to be recognized.
Can Boer goats be all red?
Breed: Kalahari Red goats are a distinct breed, despite the belief that they are simply solid red Boer goats or Savanna goats. Origin: This commercial breed was developed from native South African and Namibian landraces and improved red Boer goats.
How much are Boer goats worth?
Most production sales today see an average sales price of about $600 per animal or a little less. The Boer goat has been included in the 4H and FFA programs around the country for many years now. In addition youth programs are growing in the domestic breed associations.
What breeds make a Boer goat?
Boer (Dutch: “farmer”) goats were bred by Afrikaner farmers who crossed various European and Indian breeds with breeds raised by Bantu and Khoekhoe people.
What is the difference between Boer goat and Kalahari Red?
The other two main meat goat breeds in South Africa are the Kalahari Red and the Savanna, also considered 'Boer goats' but with specific colouring. DNA tests showed there is a bigger genetic difference between the Boer and the Kalahari Red than the Boer and the Savanna goats.
What is a red Boer goat?
Standard Boer goats have white bodies and distinctive Red/brown heads whilst the Red Boer/Kalahari Red is solid Red/Brown in colour. Like the Nubian goat they possess long, pendulous ears. They are noted for being docile, fast growing, and having high fertility rates.
What is the lifespan of a Boer goat?
12 to 20 yearsThat's a lot of mohair production! Boer goats often have a longer life due to their natural resistance to disease. Bucks have an expected life span of eight to 12 years and does have a surprising expected life span of 12 to 20 years.
How many acres do you need per goat?
How Many Goats Per Acre? Goats are similar to sheep in that you can support about six to eight goats on an acre of land. Because goats are browsers, not grazers, it will be important that the land you have will supply them with the sort of forage they like to eat—see below.
Are Boer goats hard to raise?
Boer goats are easy to raise because they are mild tempered and very affectionate. This breed is ideal for newcomers to goat farming because they are so flexible to the environment and require little to no human intervention in raising.
What is special about Boer goat?
The Boer goat is bred to thrive under extensive livestock farming conditions in hot, arid environments where the quality of grazing is poor. The breed has the ability to convert poor-quality forage into meat at a very low cost, enabling livestock farmers in these arid areas to farm commercially.
Which goat is the best meat goat?
Boer is the best goat breed for meat. Boer goats were first developed in the Eastern Cape region of South Africa. The indigenous goats of Africa were crossed with imported Nubian and Indian goats to produce Boer. These goats are hardy with a great capacity for adaptation.
How long does it take for a Boer goat to be fully grown?
It will take 3 months to raise a Boer type meat goat to 50 pounds, while diary type meat goats will take 3-5 months. Bucklings and wethers will reach 50 pounds faster than doelings, with goat kids on full feed growing faster than kids that are not on full feed.
How tall is a boer goat?
It has long ears that droop down on the side of the head. It stands a little under 3 feet tall, and the males can reach more than 300 pounds.
How much does a boer goat cost?
You can expect to spend between $80 and $150 on your Boer goat. The price will vary depending on your location and how many goats you intend to purchase. Show winning goats can cost up to $2,000. There are a few other things to consider when thinking about the cost.
What are the problems with a Boer goat?
Parasites. Parasites are a major concern when owning a Boer goat. These goats have less immunity than other breeds, and worms can affect the liver, lungs, and other important organs. In particular, you need to worry about the Haemonchus contortus and Coccidia worms.
Why do goats have diarrhea?
Coccidia – Coccidia is the most common cause of diarrhea in Boer goats. With this condition, a microscopic parasite attacks the animal’s intestines and lays a large number of eggs. It spreads to other goats from the feces and contaminated water, so you will need to isolate the infected goats as soon as possible.
Why are my boer goats lame?
Foot-rot is another major concern for any Boer goat owners. As the name suggests, this condition causes the hooves to deteriorate, leading to lameness. Micro-organisms in the soil cause this condition, and it enters the body through irritated toes.
Why do boer goats grow so fast?
It grows quickly and is often used for land management because its grazing can prevent bush encroachment, which can degrade rangeland for other livestock. Keep reading while taking a closer look at the Boer goat.
How big of a pen do you need for a boer goat?
Your Boer goat will require a large area to roam and graze. Most experts recommend a pen with at least 50–60 square feet. It should also have an indoor enclosure of at least 15 square feet that provides heat and adequate shelter from the weather. There should also be plenty of fresh water inside the shelter and out.
What is a Boer goat?
Boer goats, commonly called “gentle giants,” are known for being friendly and cute. They are one of the popular goat breeds primarily used for meat production but are now also being raised in farms and urban settings as a family animal and companion. Aside from being hardy and affordable, Boer goats are also great with kids.
How big do boer goats get?
Show boer goat males can weigh up to 160 kg and female boer goats can often reach as much as 110kg.
What is the Best Feed for Boer Goats?
Just like any livestock, boer goats need to be fed regularly to keep their body healthy and strong. Alfalfa hay is said to be the most common hay used to feed goats. Alfalfa hay has all the protein a goat needs to stay healthy and strong. Typically, boer goats need to eat 2-3 pounds of hay a couple of times a day.
How much does a boer goat cost?
The price of Boer goats usually varies depending on the breeder, but purebred Boer goats usually range between $150 to 400$.
How often do boer goats have babies?
Typical breeding patterns of boer goats include production of three kids every two years – meaning, the does are pregnant for five months, spend the next three months nursing their kids and re-bred thereafter. Multiple births are common in boer goats and in managed herds, a 200% kid crop is highly achievable. First time goat moms may have one kid but after that, they usually produce more. Kids can be a mix of bown, black, white or a combination of the three colors.
How much does a goat weigh?
Goat kids primarily marketed as slaughter goats should reach a marketable weight of 22-36 kg. In the goat meat and slaughtering industry, kids are expected to reach a marketable size at the stage of weaning. The kids of Boer goats with a proven fast-growing sire are expected to weigh around 36kg at 90 days of age. An average-quality buck will be more affordable but breeders can definitely see the long-term effects in terms of profitability.
Why are boer goats important?
The value of Boer goats to ranchers lies in the improvement their unique genes can offer any goats being raised for meat. Boer goats were imported to the United States for this very reason. Primarily, show goats are bred to display the most desirable physical characteristics of the Boer goats, introducing the majesty of this animal to the public. Does and bucks bred for show can be and are often used for commercial breeding stock as well.
What color goats are rare?
A few breeds are relatively colorful, but these are rarer than breeds with a set color. If you’re looking for a goat that is a specific color, your best bet is to find a breed that is usually that color. White, black, and similar colors are the most common, though there are some breeds with unique markings.
How white are goats?
However, most goat breeds are over 50% white, and it isn’t uncommon to see a herd that is over 90% white. There are a few genetic ways a goat can become white. Sometimes, genetically, the goat may be gold but appears as a white. Other times, the breed may have an actual white gene that is dominant among the population.
What are the markings on a goat?
Not all possible markings have names. Instead, there are a lot of unnamed, random patterns in many go at breeds. These are usually the combination of some darker color and white. They may be spots or unregular splotches. Sometimes, a goat is two-toned, with a considerable portion being a darker color and an equally large portion being white. It isn’t uncommon for the white patches to be spotted with the darker color.
What does it mean when a goat is frosted?
This marking involves lots of white hairs around the ears or nose. This makes the goat appear lighter in those areas. In other words, they appear “frosted.” This pattern can occur with any others and may be darker or lighter.
What does gold mean in goats?
Gold describes anything that is a tannish color. It can be used to describe cream colorations, as well as reddish-tan colors. It’s anything brownish that is between a brown roan and a white. Like with most solid colors, most breeds that come in brown can also come in gold. It isn’t uncommon among all the goat breeds, though some will exhibit their gold coloration more than others.
What does "cou blanc" mean?
The phrase “cou blanc” means “white neck” in French. As the name suggests, this sort of pattern involves the goat having a white neck and usually a white cape. The rest of the goat is a darker color.
What does a goat's band look like?
This is a relatively common marking involving a full or partial white band stretching around the middle of the goat. It looks like a belt. These markings can be thin or wide. Sometimes, there might be other markings inside the band, such as spots. The band can also be broken so that it doesn’t stretch all the way around.
What is a solid red boer?
Solid red boer (Newer to the market) Solid Black boer (Newer to the market) If a painted boer buck is bred to a traditional Doe ... and that Doe has some painted genes in her bloodlines close in ...she may throw some color.. but the odds are not really good.....
Where did the black headed goats come from?
Black headed traditionals are becoming more common, as well are paints. If you think about it, most boer goats came from Africa and most had the red head and white body. All of the boers Jurgen Shultz brought over were traditional. Others were imported.
What color is our neighbor's buck?
Great! Our neighbor's buck is a chocolate and white paint and one of the does is a black and white traditional, that doe ended up having a black and white traditional and a chocolate and white paint. Does that mean that the buck carries the black color gene? And does the doe carry the paint gene?
What is a tenacross goat?
Tenacross. In Africa the founders of the breed selected for white with red heads. The color was always there, but they tried to breed it out. When the goats came to the USA, the color wasn't culled for as hard and even selected for by some, so it is becoming more common.
Do painted boer goats have color genes?
Yes...any animal that is painted..dappled ect ..will carry the color gene....it will make the odds better... if that goat is bred to another colored animal.....especially if.. you want more color on the kid born to them.... If a painted boer is bred to a traditional ...you might get small percentage paints... unless the one goat... has a lot of painted genes in the pedigree...then you will get more color percentages from them..... :wink:
What is a boer goat?
Boer goat is a highly meat productive goat breed which originated from South Africa. They are of very big sized goat among the other popular meat goat breeds. They also produce milk highly, but mostly suitable for meat production. Boer goats are generally white colored with red or brown heads. There are also some completely brown ...
How much does a boer goat weigh?
Boer goats have a very high fertility rates compared to other goat breeds. An adult male Boer goat weights about 110-135 kg and an adult female Boer weights about 90-100 kg. Male Boer goats are used for breeding and meat production and the female are for producing kids.
What is the best goat breed for breeding?
Most of the farmers prefer purebred Boer goat for breeding purposes. Crossbreeding of Boer goat with other popular goat breeds is also produce high quality and productive kids.
How to keep a Boer goat house dry?
Make the Boer goat house in high places. This will keep the house dry always. Always keep a water pot filled with clean and fresh water in front of the goat. Try to feed the goat enough fresh and green grasses. It will be better if you can manage a grazing place for your goats near your farm.
Why do show goats need to be raised?
Farmer generally raise medium sized goat for commercial production. Because they require less food and easy to maintain.
How to care for a baby boer?
Care the newly born Boer kids carefully. Feed them their mother’s milk regularly. Keep the kids and their mother in a separate room or place for some days.
Do boer goats have a mother?
They are very hardy and can adopt themselves with almost all types of weather and climate. They are noted for having high fertility rates and for being fast growing and docile. As compared to other goat breeds, Boer does are reported to have superior mothering skills.
What determines the color of a goat?
The position of eumelanic and pheomelanic areas determines the basic color of goats, and the classification of goat color depends on the specific pattern of pigmented areas. Unfortunately, white spotting can obscure portions of goats, making it difficult (and at times impossible) to appreciate their pigmentation type and pattern.
Where does the goat color come from?
Most of the variation in goat color occurs at the Agouti locus. This locus controls the distribution of eumelanic and pheomelanic areas. The intermediate alleles at this locus result in patterns with distinctive striping patterns on the face, and this characteristic is very helpful in establishing the Agouti locus as the cause of these patterns.
What causes a goat to turn brown?
Another major source of variation goats is the Brown locus. This locus acts to switch eumelanin from black to brown. This means that anywhere a goat could be black, it is now brown instead. Brown varies from dark chocolate brown, light brown, or a medium brown (confusingly called “red” by Pygmy owners, but lacking the real redness of the darker tans and much more like the liver color of dogs). The Brown locus does not affect tan colors, only black, and causes any black on the goat to be brown instead. The result, on Agouti patterns, is an interplay of tan and brown instead of tan and black areas. As an example, Toggenburg goats have the “toggenburg” pattern at the Agouti locus, with the “light brown” change at the Brown locus. The result is a distinctively patterned brown goat, still easily recognizable as having anAgouti pattern. Brown combinations of Agouti patterns are common in many goats. In some breeds both a dark and light brown are present, and some also have a medium brown were also present. The brown combining with tan is especially pretty on some Agouti patterns.
What is the pattern of dominance at the Agouti locus?
The pattern of dominance at the Agouti locus is that all pheomelanic (tan) areas are expressed. When a goat has alleles for two different patterns, each is demonstrated in the final color as the tan areas of both patterns. The patterns are superimposed, with all the tan areas being expressed.
What is the color of goat tan?
Pheomelanin is responsible for tan, cream, and red colors. The pheomelanic tans are extremely variable, and unlike eumelanin they frequently vary on an individual goat. Some goats have dark tan as well as pale cream pheomelanic areas. This makes accurate identification of pheomelanin tricky at times.
What is the color of eumelanin in goats?
Therefore each goat, where it has eumelanin, is all black, or all chocolate brown, and not some combination of the two. Brown eumelanin varies from very dark to very light, but the goat is one basic color overall. Eumelanin on an individual animal is always one basic color, either black, bluegrey or brown.
How to make a goat white?
Basically, first make the goat totally pheomelanic and then fade the pheomelanin to a very, very pale shade until the goat is essentially white. This is a dilution mechanism, and pigment cells are present in the white areas but are simply ineffective at producing pigment. Another general mechanism to produce a white goat is to use white spotting – in which the background color of the goat could be anything, but superimposed over this is white spotting which masks all the color with bright, pure white. White spotting can occur as multiple, independent patterns, each of which can result in a white goat. White can be a very confusing color, since just looking at a white goat does not tell much about the genetic mechanism producing the white.
History and origin
Boer goats, as a breed appeared in southern Africa at the dawn of the 20th century. After that, it was possible to mix the best of goats of local breeds and representatives of Europe and India. The goat’s name is derived from the Dutch word, which means farmer.
Physical characteristics
The goats of this breed in color are white with a brown head in rare cases, you can find markings on the slender legs, a beautiful body, and a flickering tail. More rarely you can see animals with a black wool color, such as the night and the fawn. His wool is short without shine
Feeding
In feeding, Boer goats are not capricious, they are short-lived pastures that are not suitable for livestock. Normally they feel at a high temperature in the environment, very sensitive and affectionate mothers. They have excellent immunity to diseases. They have a friendly, non-confrontational, and peaceful character
Breeding
There is crossbreeding, most of the time the Nubian breed is used for this purpose, but many breeders are fans of purebred goats.
MISSION AND GOALS
I know many people will look at this page and check out our goats because we have loads of color. We actually have generations and generations of colored genetics, but I will say this over and over again color is not the most important thing to us.
OUR HISTORY
Tadita Colored Boer Goats is a dream I have had since I was a little girl. I always hoped I would have a working farm and thanks to the help and support of my wonderful husband Jeff, I have gotten my dream. We have a small herd of around 30 breeding age Does and a couple bucks. All of our goats are ABGA Registered Fullbloods.
COME ON DOWN TO TADITA COLORED BOER GOATS
You are welcome to come out and visit and meet us and our beautiful goats. If we can help you with anything please let us know. We all have to start somewhere and we all need help and guidance allow the way. We are more then willing to help out when we can or try to point you in the right direction.
Breed Standards of Boer Goats
Typical Characteristics
- 1. Meat Production Details
How much meat can you expect from one Boer goat? Although it depends on age, nutrition, diet, and genetics, on average, you can count on 40-50lbs of meat per goat raised to market age, which is roughly 6-9 months. Boer goats have the highest meat-to-bone ratio of all goat breeds, so if m… - 2. Hardiness
There are mixed experiences about the hardiness of Boer goats. They were bred to be adaptable and many African breeds hold true to their hardy reputation. Yet, I personally know several individuals whose Boer goats succumbed to parasites faster than other breeds. Parasites are th…
Caring For The Boer Goat
- 1. Feeding and Nutrition
The best way to keep feed cost down is to feed Boers on high-quality pasture. By encouraging high-protein legumes and good pasture management like rotational grazing, the only times you should need to feed grain is during poor pasture condition like winter or drought. So when grain f… - 2. Housing and Fencing
Goats need a loafing shed or draft-free barnto protect them from weather and predators. Boer goats especially need to shelter from freezing temperatures to avoid frostbite to their long ears. All goats need strong, sturdy fencing to curb their wanderlust. Three strands of electricor cattle …
Alternative Breeds
- 1. Savannah Goats
For couples or smaller families, the Savannah goat might be a better alternative to Boer goats. Also an African breed, Savannahs are beautiful goats with similar personalities as Boers. - 2. Kiko Goats
For a breed that gives similar meat amounts yet is known for being parasite resistant, Kikos meet the bill. Kikos do not grow as fast as Boers but they are very hardy animals.
Did You Know?
- The word Boer comes from the Dutch word for “farmer”. The Dutch established trading routes along the South African posts and found raising their own livestock to be essential to their survival. While historians don’t quite agree on who combined European imports with native goats, the Dutch left their mark in this popular breed. Also, the first registry was established in South Af…
Conclusion
- So are you ready for a big step away from dependence on the grocerystore? If raising your own meat is next on your bucket list, meet a few Boer goats to see if they are for you. The double-muscle meat production of Boers and their gentle personalities make them a good choice for homesteaders. Are you ready to give them a go?