Dairy goats in Russia are represented by different breeds. Some of them are traditionally grown in the country, for example, Saanen, others are just emerging. Let's consider the description and characteristics of Murciano Granadina goats - a Spanish breed, its advantages and disadvantages, technology for the care and maintenance of these animals, breeding rules and treatment of possible diseases.
Description of the species and its characteristics
The breed was bred in southeast Spain. Spanish Murciano Granadina goats are of the dairy type.The color is black and red, without white hairs. The animals are medium in size, with a triangular head, with straight ears; goats have a beard. The neck is thin, the body is elongated, the chest is wide and voluminous, and the sacrum is convex. The tail is short and straight. The legs are of medium height, strong, slightly curved, as they cover the voluminous udder. The teats on the udder are directed forward and outward, the skin is thin, without hair. The weight of male Murciano granadina is 50-70 kg, females - 40-55 kg.
A dairy breed, during the milking period of 210 days, accepted as the standard, the goat produces 530 liters of milk. A quarter of all pedigree animals can produce even more - over 715 liters. Its fat content is 5.6-5.8%, protein content is 3.6-3.8%.
Murciano granadina milk is very tasty, without a specific smell or aftertaste. The values of the most important characteristics exceed those of the Saanen characteristics recognized in Russia, Alpine and Nubian goats.
The breed is not characterized by seasonal reproduction. Goats reach sexual maturity at the age of 7 months, at which time they gain 70% of their final weight (30 kg). Goats are ready for breeding at 5-8 months. The birth rate of Murciano Granadina kids is 90%; on average, 1.5 kids are born in the first lambing, and 2 in subsequent lambings.
Pros and cons of the breed
The disadvantages include the high cost of representatives of the breed in Russia, but over time, when there are more of these goats, it should decrease.
Technology of keeping and caring for animals
A barn or any suitable room is suitable for keeping Murciano. It must meet the following requirements: be warm, dry, bright, without drafts. 4 sq.m. is enough for 1 animal. m of premises.
Goats can climb to high places, so they will willingly lie on a wooden bed that can be attached to the wall a short distance from the floor.
Particular attention should be paid to the cleanliness of the bedding and feeder; goats do not like to lie on dirty straw and will not eat from a feeder that has not been cleaned for a long time. The same goes for water. Only clean, fresh water should be poured into the drinking bowl. Compliance with sanitary standards can not only keep the premises clean, but also prevent the occurrence of diseases.
Goats can be kept together with other farm animals in the same room. They have a calm character and do not conflict with other living creatures.
What to feed goats Murcia Granada
The animals are fed hay, grass, grain, crushed mash, grated zucchini, root vegetables, vegetables and fruits, and cabbage. Animals are given water 2-3 times a day, warm water in winter, cool water in summer.
Stall-pasture housing is well suited for this breed. In winter, goats live in a barn; when grass appears, they are moved to pasture. If conditions exist, they keep it there until autumn. In winter, goats are fed the same as cows - hay, concentrates, root vegetables, and vegetables. But, in addition to this food, branches are prepared for them and dried. Branch food contains a lot of vitamins, protein, fiber; goats eagerly eat branches in cold weather.Branches can be cut from oak, birch, rowan, hazelnut.
Breeding rules
To maintain the purity of the breed, Murciano Granadina goats must be bred with a purebred male. There should be 30-50 females per adult goat. If the kids are not going to be used for breeding, then you can use a goat of any breed. Goats of this breed can be bred for the first time at 1.5 years old; earlier it is not recommended, since the body has not yet had time to form.
Kids from young mothers can be weak, small, sickly, and the goats themselves are not able to develop the milk production that could be expected based on the potential of the breed.
Hunting in females lasts 1-2 days, and during this period they occur. Pregnancy lasts 5 months. The kids are kept with their mothers while they drink colostrum, then transferred to hand feeding. The offspring is weaned 3.5-4 months after birth, then sent for fattening or grazing in the herd. Considering that kids are born en masse in the second half of winter and early spring, by summer they are already completely independent.
Possible diseases
There are no diseases characteristic of the Murciano Granadina breed, but goats can suffer from infectious diseases and metabolic pathologies if the rules of maintenance and care are not followed. For example, due to damp bedding and insufficient exercise goats develop hoof diseases. Improper feeding and milking can also lead to disorders and disorders - problems with the digestive tract, mastitis, postpartum complications.
Murciano Granadina goats are not as common in Russia as the Saanen goats, which are leaders in milk production. But it is not for nothing that the breed is considered a national treasure of Spain.Goats are distinguished by high milk productivity and the quality of milk, which is used for the production of famous hard cheeses.
