How to choose the right goat and popular breeds, productivity table

Goats are bred to solve different problems - to obtain milk, wool or fluff. When buying an animal, novice farmers are often interested in: how to choose the right goat? To purchase a healthy and productive animal, it is recommended to take into account the appearance and behavioral characteristics. In this case, you should definitely focus on the main purpose of the breed.

Subtleties of buying goats

Buying a goat is considered a very difficult task. This is especially true for beginners. There are many nuances that should definitely be taken into account.

Dairy

To buy a dairy goat for milk, it is recommended to take into account a number of indicators. These include age, body type, and physical condition. For personal purposes, it is worth using young goats that have a proportional physique. They should have strong straight legs, an elongated barrel-shaped body, and a wide chest.

To assess productivity, you should focus on the veins and milk well. When purchasing an adult animal, it is recommended to milk it. After this procedure, the udder should fall. If this does not happen, you will have to refuse the purchase.

Woolen

To buy a good wool goat, you should pay attention to its physique. Thoroughbred animals have a large body, a large chest, and a wide loin. The legs should be straight and powerful, and the back should be straight.

Meat

Meat breeds are distinguished by small udders, which are located quite high. These goats produce minimal milk. This amount is only enough to feed the kids. Meat breeds are characterized by a large belly. They also have a barrel-shaped body with rounded sides.

What to pay attention to

To purchase a healthy goat with high productivity parameters, it is recommended to take into account a number of features.

Body type

Normally, a goat weighs 50-60 kilograms. A larger animal will produce more milk. This is due to the voluminous digestive system, which is able to absorb larger amounts of feed. The physique of goats differs depending on the purpose of the breed. Dairy animals are considered thin. The harmoniously built goat has a wide chest.

It is also characterized by long, convex ribs.

Udder and nipples

When purchasing a goat, it is recommended to carefully inspect the udder. It should be clearly visible from all sides. A good udder does not hang, is cup-shaped and has no hair. It should be quite elastic to the touch and difficult to squeeze. The top of the udder is covered with thin skin and milk veins. When examining the udder, it is worth considering the appearance of the teats. They should be elastic, medium in size and cylindrical in shape.

Oral cavity

Based on the condition of the oral cavity, it is possible to determine the age of the animal. A goat has a total of 32 teeth. To determine her age, it is worth considering the following features:

• from the moment of birth to 10 days, hooks develop - they represent 2 primary incisors;
• then 6 more incisors develop;
• a year later, the first 2 teeth fall out, and the growth of the molars begins;
• every year until the age of three, 2 incisors are replaced;
• up to 4 years of age, the last pair of outer incisors changes;
• at 5 years old, the teeth wear away and become oval;
• at 6 years of age the incisors become almost round;
• At 7 years old, teeth become loose and fall out.

Animal age

The right time to buy an animal is 2-3 years. A goat produces maximum milk after 2-3 lambings. At 6-7 years of age, its volume decreases sharply.

Wool

By the appearance of the fur, it is possible to assess the state of health. The appearance and length of the cover do not affect the milk yield parameters. A healthy goat has soft, shiny fur. At the same time, pets with short hair are easier to care for.

Hooves

Healthy goats should not limp. They are distinguished by powerful hooves without damage. It is important to trim and treat hooves in a timely manner. Otherwise, it will be difficult for your pet to move. He will not be able to eat or drink normally. Such an animal will constantly try to lie down.

The most popular breeds

There are many common breeds, each of which is characterized by certain productivity parameters and appearance. In Russia, the most popular varieties include:

1. The Saanen is considered the most outstanding dairy breed. These goats are characterized by their large size and can weigh up to 90 kilograms. The lactation period lasts up to 11 months. It is possible to obtain up to 800-1000 liters of milk per year.
2. The Toggenburg is a popular Swiss breed. Adult females weigh 55 kilograms, goats - 70. During the lactation period, they are able to produce up to 1 centner of milk. Its fat content is 3-8%. In one lambing, 2-3 kids are born.
3. Gorky - the breed was developed in the first half of the twentieth century. Males weigh 80 kilograms, females - 45. It is possible to obtain up to 1200 liters of milk per year, the fat content of which is 4-5.5%. Animals are white or gray in color. They are characterized by high-quality meat and undemanding conditions.
4. Nubian – characterized by rapid weight gain. An adult female weighs 50 kilograms, a male weighs twice as much. The lactation period lasts 10 months. During this time, it is possible to obtain 1000-1200 kilograms of milk. Its fat content reaches 4.5-8%. Females give birth to 2-3 kids. The cubs quickly gain weight. Therefore, representatives of this breed are considered meat and dairy.

Comparative table of breed productivity

When choosing a breed, it is worth considering productivity parameters. They are shown in the table:

Choosing a goat is a rather complex and responsible undertaking. To purchase a healthy and productive animal, it is recommended to focus on a number of criteria. These include body features, appearance of the udder, age, and coat condition.