Kashmiri goats are bred for their unique down. This is a relatively small breed, which is characterized by its sophistication and attractive appearance. For raising animals to be successful, they need to be provided with complete and high-quality care. It must be comprehensive. It is important to strictly follow the rules of feeding pets.
Description and characteristics of Kashmir goats
Animals are often found in the mountains of Asia. In addition, they live in India. Goats are adapted to life in high altitude areas and can withstand conditions even at high altitude without problems.Temperature fluctuations in cold and warm weather can range from -40 to +40 degrees. At the same time, animal productivity parameters remain high.
Kashmir goats are predominantly white in color, with a slightly yellowish tint. Sometimes gray or brown individuals are found. They also have so-called scorch marks.
Goats have long hair. However, it is not the wool itself that is highly valuable, but the undercoat, which contains a lot of fluff. Its unique characteristics include excellent thermal insulation properties. The material is considered elastic and resilient. In addition, it is completely hypoallergenic. This is what affects the high cost of fluff from Kashmiri goats.
The height of the animals at the withers reaches 60 centimeters. Their length is up to 1.5 meters. The horns are long and flat and curl strongly back. Another feature of goats is their unusual eagle profile and long ears. Sometimes there are animals with normal ears.
In addition to fluff, many people eat the meat and milk of these goats. The Kamshire breed has another name. They are often called shawl ones. This is due to the fact that cashmere shawls are considered the most popular down products. The products have gained great popularity due to their lightness, reliable protection from the cold and extraordinary softness. Such a shawl can be easily pulled through the ring. In addition, the products are distinguished by their extraordinary beauty.
Shawl fabric was first made from goat down in ancient times. This was done in Srinagar, which was the capital of Kashmir.Such products were popular in the Roman Empire. They appeared in Europe in the sixteenth century.
Advantages and disadvantages
This type of goat has many advantages:
- ease of breeding;
- high skin strength;
- high-quality down;
- high productivity;
- tasty and tender meat.
At the same time, downy goats have relatively few disadvantages. One of them is the need for combing. This procedure takes a lot of time and requires patience. It is important to have the appropriate skills. In addition, the molting process should not be skipped. This is due to the loss of a large amount of unique fluff, for which goats are usually raised.
Subtleties of maintenance and care
In the summer, it is recommended that goats be provided with free grazing. This should be done after the dew has disappeared, since dampness is very harmful to these animals. When wet, there is a risk of wool rolling into clumps. When it rains, animals need shelter. When caring for goats, it is recommended to adhere to good hygiene. It is important that the room is dry and well ventilated. You should place a clean mat on the floor, which needs to be changed constantly.
You don't need to use anything for a warm wooden floor. However, in such a situation, an inclined drain will be required through which excess liquid will flow out. It is recommended to place the feeder so that the goat cannot climb into it with her legs.
In order for animal care to be effective, it is important to comb out the fluff on time. This is recommended to be done at the end of winter or early spring. This procedure is carried out in 2 stages with an interval of 2 weeks. In this case, you should not miss the deadlines, since there is a risk of reducing the volume of fluff and reducing its quality characteristics.Readiness is indicated by the appearance of fluff on the surface of the wool.
Diet
These goats are undemanding when it comes to food. In summer, the bulk of their diet consists of fresh grass. From spring to late autumn, goats can be on pastures. Animals happily eat branches of trees and bushes. It is also permissible to give them garden greens - carrot and beet tops, cabbage leaves, and some types of weeds. In addition, goats enjoy eating fruits. In the evening after grazing, they can be given a little bran.
In winter, it is recommended to give animals hay, straw, chopped vegetables in raw or decoction form. It is also permissible to use crushed grain, steamed feed, and brooms from branches. Potatoes are only allowed to be given boiled. Every day, goats should eat 3-4 kilograms of vegetables and 300 grams of grains. It is also acceptable to use silage. However, its quantity should not exceed 4 kilograms.
It is important to have drinking bowls with clean water, and it is recommended to change the liquid every day.
Breeding and diseases
When breeding goats, it is important to choose the right queen and goat. It is best to assess the condition of individuals before combing out the fluff. They must be healthy and cheerful in appearance. The condition of the coat is of no small importance. It should be clean and shiny.
You should not engage in mating of males and females who are closely related. In such a situation, it will not be possible to get healthy offspring.
The female's pregnancy lasts approximately 5 months. At this time, she needs increased nutrition. The animal needs a lot of boiled vegetables. At the same time, the amount of bran and feed should be reduced. It is recommended to completely remove these foods from the diet 2 weeks before lambing.After the end of pregnancy, 1-2 cubs are born. Kamshire goats have many advantages and are raised primarily for their down. It is important to provide them with adequate care and a balanced diet.
