Content
Goat breeding is one of the oldest branches of animal husbandry. Today there are over 200 breeds of these animals. Most goats are bred for products such as milk, wool or down. Meat goat breeding in Russia is relatively poorly developed. At the same time, goat meat has excellent taste. It is no less tasty than lamb, while it contains much less fat. In addition, in Central Asia and Siberia there are coarse-wooled meat breeds of goats that provide meat, milk, and wool. However, their productivity is not very high.
Characteristic features of meat breeds
The main goal of breeding such animals is to obtain a significant amount of high quality meat. There are a number of signs by which you can recognize the meat direction of an animal.
- The udder is small and high. Milk yield from meat goats is small. There is enough milk only for feeding young animals. The lactation period is short;
- The belly is large;
- Barrel-shaped body with rounded sides.
This description can be used to describe almost any beef breed. The meat of such goats is the most tender and juicy in taste, without aftertaste and unpleasant odor. Goat meat has long been considered a dietary meat with a healing effect. It is especially useful for people suffering from gastrointestinal, cardiovascular diseases, blood diseases. Consider the most popular meat-type goat breeds.
The most popular beef goats
Boer
Unusually beautiful and unusual outwardly South African breed. A charming hump-nosed muzzle with a somewhat arrogant expression and unusually intelligent eyes looks from the photo. Farmers - immigrants from Europe - crossed the best native goats with meat goats imported from Europe. Since South African farmers were called Boers, the newly developed breed received a corresponding name.
Meat Boer goats has a low fat content, tasty and very soft. Animals of the Boer breed have not only tasty meat, but also strong skins and good quality wool. The animals are relatively small but very powerful. They have well-developed muscles, a powerful back and strong chest. The weight of goats reaches 135 kg, of goats - 100 kg. The main color of Boer goats is white, but on the head, chest and neck there are brownish-reddish spots. Like the Nubian breed, the ears are large and drooping. There are small neat horns.
The characteristics of this breed are as follows. Goats have a gentle, affectionate character. The goat bears three offspring within 2 years. The weight of a newborn kid is about 4 kilograms. The kids grow and develop very quickly, gaining up to a quarter of a kilogram per day. South African goats are gentle and caring mothers. Animals have good immunity, excellent health.
Kiko
The homeland of these beauties is New Zealand. "Kiko" translated from the language of the Polynesian Maori people means "meat". So everything is natural. The breed was obtained as a result of crossing the best European meat goats with Polynesian wild goats of the dairy direction.
The mass of goats and kiko goats is 60 to 70 kg. Greater weight is rare. Pregnancy of goats is multiple. For lambing, a goat brings 2-3 kids. Babies, despite their small size, have good immunity and significant weight gain. Goats have little milk, but it is quite enough to feed the kids.
Animals are distinguished by a dense physique, the color is most often brown, but there are also colored animals. Goats have long beards and large horns. The ears are large, drooping. The thick coat helps the animals feel comfortable in the cool mountain pastures.
Kiko meat goats are incredibly loving mothers. They care about the offspring so touchingly that it can only cause respect and delight.
Animals perfectly tolerate all the hardships associated with an unfavorable climate. If we talk about the Russian climate, then farmers in Siberia and other regions with an unfavorable climate can have such handsome men. The breed is very popular with American, New Zealand and Australian farmers.
Greek
As they say, you can't erase a word from a song. The homeland of these animals is the ancient Greek land. There are many color options. Goats of brown, white and black color are born with the same probability. The head is small, slightly flattened, the neck is long. The horns are large, giving small animals a majestic appearance. Thanks to strong elastic hooves, goats feel quite comfortable on the mountainous slopes of Greece, covered with stones.
The udder of goats is round, compact. Livestock breeders can admire photographs of Greek goats for a long time. The whole appearance of the animal - beautiful and a little awkward - resembles the ancient Greek deity, the goat-footed Pan, the patron saint of shepherds and domestic animals, protecting the herd from snakes and wolves.
The weight of adult goats is 60 kg. The lactation period is short. The mass of milk per year from one goat is only 100 kg. Despite the small amount, the milk is unusually tasty and fatty. It is used to prepare the famous Greek cheese and butter. Milk is used both independently and mixed with sheep. But the main product obtained from Greek goats is meat. It is very beautiful, pink in color, juicy and unusually pleasant to the taste. At the same time, there is absolutely no smell.
The advantage of this breed is its absolute unpretentiousness to feed and keeping conditions. Animals are content with the most meager food, they do not mind eating garlic and young branches of conifers. Animals are popular in Greece, especially on the island of Crete.
Black Anatolian
This breed is widespread in Russia, among fans of meat goat breeding. Goats are most often black, black-brown. Less often, gray individuals come across. Anatolians are a mixed breed. They are bred for meat, fluff and wool. Both goats and goats are characterized by a beard and peculiar "earrings". Goats have little milk, but it is enough to feed the kids. Animals tolerate temperature extremes very well. However, the wool of Anatolian goats needs care, as it quickly dumps and absorbs foreign odors like a sponge.
These are unusually healthy animals with excellent immunity. They thrive in harsh climates. Neither cold nor unfavorable ecology interferes with them. They are quite comfortable even in the Siberian expanses.
Nubian
Another combined breed of meat and dairy goats. The owners of these animals are guaranteed a supply of tasty meat and rich, nutritious milk. The goats are large (about 60 kg), the weight of the record-breaking males reaches 100 kg. Yields increase from one lamb to the next. Females produce offspring twice a year. Multiple pregnancy. For one lambing goat brings 2-3 kids. The video shows these unusual animals well.
The Nubians also have serious drawbacks. For example, they are stronger than other breeds, suffer from blood-sucking insects. They are also unsuitable for commercial farms. Having a somewhat capricious character, goats do not tolerate neighborhood with other domestic animals.
Conclusion
It is quite possible that over time, meat goat breeding will take root on the territory of Russia: after all, it is very profitable! With the right management of animal husbandry, raising meat goats can be very profitable.
