The Kalahari goat breed is considered a meat breed. It was developed relatively recently, but managed to gain popularity among many farmers. This is due to high productivity and undemanding maintenance. A distinctive feature of the animals is the red tint of their fur. At the same time, they have impressive sizes and quickly gain weight. This is considered an indisputable advantage of the breed.
Description and characteristics of the Kalahari goat
Red goats are considered a fairly rare breed in Russia.It was registered relatively recently and did not have time to become widespread. However, these unusual animals are increasingly increasing their popularity.
The breed's name refers to their red hue and the Kalahari Desert that straddles the borders of South Africa. A distinctive feature of animals is their unusual appearance. These strong animals have an attractive appearance and cause real admiration.
In goats, by the age of three, a dewlap appears and folds form on the neck. In this case, the animals' horns bend back. They have large ears that hang down. The legs are considered quite short in comparison with the length of the body. At the same time, the limbs are powerful and thick and are complemented by strong, heavy hooves. Animals are characterized by well-developed muscles.
The male is 90 centimeters tall, and the female is 75. At the same time, an adult goat weighs 120-140 kilograms, and a female goat - 90. The animals are distinguished by a red tint of fur with rare splashes of chocolate color. Kalahari goats produce tasty, high-fat milk. It does not have a specific smell. This product is perfect for making cheese. A distinctive feature of animals is considered to be high productivity. These goats are capable of producing 2-3 liters of milk.
Today there is little information regarding the origin of this breed. Some sources claim that this African goats, which were obtained by crossing with local species. According to other sources, Kalahari goats are in no way related to Africa.
This variety of animals is often crossed with Boer goats, which helps improve their breed characteristics.If you combine a meat breed with a dairy breed, you will be able to get excellent results - making the milk fattier and increasing the weight of the goats.
Advantages and disadvantages of the breed
This meat breed characterized by many advantages. The main advantage of goats is their rapid growth. Thanks to this, they can be used commercially for the production of meat products.
The kids grow quickly and gain weight - up to 1.5 kilograms per week. Some individuals are capable of gaining up to 400 grams per day. Animals are distinguished by excellent fertility and are able to independently feed their offspring. Another advantage is the pleasant taste of meat. It has no specific smell.
So, the main advantages of Kalahari goats include the following:
- beautiful appearance;
- rapid weight gain;
- high milk yield parameters;
- excellent meat productivity.
At the same time, the breed also has some disadvantages. These include:
- complexity of content;
- insufficiently strong immunity in young animals;
- high price.
How to choose the right one
To choose the right animal, you should pay attention to the color of its coat. Kalahari goats are distinguished by their red hue. In this case, there should be no white or light inclusions. Deviations in color are also undesirable.
Another distinctive feature of representatives of this breed is their long and flexible ears. The skin in the neck area should be loose and stretch easily. The horns are higher than the ears. Females should have a large and symmetrical udder.
Subtleties of maintenance and care
These animals are considered very active. They are characterized by a high degree of endurance. Goats thrive even in harsh conditions, including arid regions. In order for goats to develop normally and not get sick, they require careful care. Animals need mandatory shelter. If you keep your pets in the rain, there is a high probability of developing pathologies.
It is worth using a small barn as a sleeping place. It is also permissible to make flooring under a canopy. If the goat is kept with other animals, it is recommended to provide a latch in the shed. Animals require free range. It is recommended to keep pets in a pen. If necessary, it is permissible to tether an animal. However, it is important to keep an eye on the goat, as it will not be able to fend for itself.
It is not recommended to use rope for tethering, as animals can chew it. A chain is also considered not the best option, since there is a risk of injury to the pet.
During the grazing period, it is important to provide access to fresh water. It is advisable that it be cool. It is recommended to add a little apple cider vinegar to the liquid. This product contains potassium and other beneficial elements that will help prevent the appearance of worms in the body.
Diet
Goats are considered undemanding when it comes to food. They feed on different types of grasses and grains. Kalahari goats are distinguished by a high degree of endurance and are able to go without food for a long time. When formulating your diet, it is recommended to include alfalfa and red clover. However, you should not use straw for nutrition. It contains few nutritional components. This product is only suitable as bedding.Raising Kalahari goats without steroids or other chemical additives will produce tasty meat with excellent texture.
Breeding rules
Female Kalahari goats have a pronounced maternal instinct. They are able to care for their young. On average, each goat gives birth to up to 3 kids with an interval of 2 years. Newborn goats are distinguished by great strength and excellent appetite. They grow quickly. The average weight gain is 1.5 kilograms per week. Some individuals grow faster.
Pets need a little attention. When grown commercially, they can generate good profits and provide good meat.
Diseases and methods of combating them
This breed is highly resistant to diseases and parasite attacks. Therefore, it needs less careful care than other varieties. However, sometimes animals still suffer from common diseases.
Sometimes pets encounter brucellosis or tuberculosis. These pathologies pose a danger not only to the goats themselves, but also to people. However, they are rare. Animals are also susceptible to goat encephalitis and lymphadenitis.
Kalahari goats are relatively new animals that have gained popularity. To achieve success in their cultivation, it is recommended to properly care for your pets.
