There are number of Goat breeds available but a breed should be selected according to its purpose, or the environmental conditions, and adaptability.
There are number of Goat breeds available but a breed should be selected according to its purpose or use, on the environmental conditions, and adaptability of the breed.
There is no single goat breed has all the characteristics desired and is productive under all environmental conditions.
Selection of goad breed basically depends on the type of Goat farming you are choosing. if you are planning for milk than definitely, you have to choose a milk goat breed and if you are planning for meat purpose than you have to choose meat goat breed.
The most important part of this business is reproduction. Both the milk and meat depends on the reproduction of goats. The high rate of conception, kidding and weaning are equally important. Females that produce more kids per pregnancy are more productive. Probably the good breeds come from the good and pure quality of male and female.
Meat Goat breeds
Most of the worlds goat population is used for meat production, but in western countries, goats may be used for milk, meat, or fiber production.
Generally, the dwarf goat breeds of Asia and Africa which are short in size are exclusively considered as a meat goat. hence the following meat goat breeds are African Boer, Black Bengal, Nepalese hill, Kalahari red.
Dairy goat Breeds
Dairy goats breeds have been selected primarily for productivity in terms of milk quantity and milk – fat percentage, as well as the efficiency of production and age longevity.
Large body goats breeds are the large milk production goats. The following dairy goat breeds are Jamunapari, Beetal, Barbari, Sirohi, Toggenberg, Sannen, Alpine.
Fiber goat breeds
Fiber goats breeds generally are smaller in height than dairy goats. Generally, fiber goat breeds are from the mountain and hilly areas. Angora, chegu. Changathangi, Gaddi is the fiber goat breeds.
Goat Breeds in India
Jamunapari
This is the most famous and the largest Indian goat breed. The breed is also known as the Etawah breed, a name that is derived from the Etawah district of Uttar Pradesh.
The breed is very tall with long legs, long ears, and a Roman nose. They have short and flat horns. The breed has been exported to as many as eight different countries in the world to improve milk and meat production of local indigenous breeds. these breeds require proper goat housing to live, for better production rate.
The adult male weighs around 50 – 55 kg and females weigh about 36 – 45 kg. The breed can yield up to Kidding is once a year with a low twinning percentage (10%).
Barbari
This small breed of goats originated in Uttar Pradesh India. These goats have small ears and flat or round horns and short hair. A white coat with brown spots is common. Adult females are 27 – 36 kg in weight and adult male weight between 35 -45 kg. This breed has been selected for milk production and is very prolific with twins and triplets being common.
Black Bengal
Also known as Bengal breed, this dual-purpose breed is used for both meat and milk production in West Bengal, Bihar, and Orissa regions of northeastern India. Its skin is used extensively for making high-quality shoes in India. The Bengal is the predominant breed of Bangladesh. Known for its prolificacy and kidding twice a year with 60% twins and 20% triplets, Black Bengal is small in size with adult goats weighing about 13 to 18 kg. The breed has a short coat and ears and is bearded.
Beetal
Although this breed looks larger in size. This breed is widely distributed in both Punjab provinces of India and Pakistan along with surrounding areas in Rawalpindi and Lahore. The coat color usually is black or red. Eyes color is white The ears are pendulous, and the horns are twisted. The adult male goats weigh about 65 to 70 kg while adult females weigh about 45 kg. Meat production is remarkable, so this breed is classified as a dual – purpose breed.
Malabari
This dairy breed is found in the southeastern region of Kerala, India, where the climate is hot and humid. Milk yields are about 1 kg per day. They are medium-sized animals with an adult does weighing about 40 kg with quite variable coat colors. Both sexes are horned. This is a prolific breed with a high twinning ability.
Sirohi
This breed is originated in Rajasthan India and can survive everywhere in India. the brown coat with dark brown spots is common also in full brown color. The ears are pendulous and horns are straight. The adult male goat weight normally about 50 to 55 kg. this breed is for dual purpose both for meat and milk.
Osmanabadi
This breed is originated in osmanabad Maharashtra it is for meat purpose breed and the coat is full black generally give twins in each gestation. They have short hair. The adult male goat weight about 45 to 50 kg. normally give two kids in each gestation.
Chegu
this is breed is originated in Himachal Pradesh this is small breed with a lot of hair on the body mainly use for fiber normally lives in cold climate. His is a dwarf goat. The colour coat of the goad is white. The adult male weight about 25 to 30 kg approx.
Popular Exotic breeds
African Boer
The Boer breed is an indigenous breed of South Africa kept by southern Bantu tribes of South Africa although some genes are derived from India and Europe.
the name Boer means ‘Farmer’ in Afrikaans. This is a heavy goat breed, the adult male easily takes 90 to 100 kg. The South African Boer goats have a white body with a red head and a blaze. This goat has a huge demand in India.
The Boer goats are distributed widely throughout the world being used to upgrade indigenous goats and improve meat production. they are found in more than 48 countries.
Alpine
The Alpine breed originated in Switzerland. Alpines are excellent milkers with well – shaped large udders.
These goats were selected for their uniformity, large size, and high milk production. They have a larger size than the other Swiss breeds.
No distinct color pattern has been established; color may range from pure white through shades of fawn, gray, and brown to black.
Saanen
This most reputable dairy goat breed queen of the dairy goats is native to the Saanen Valley of Switzerland.
The breed is a heavy milk producer with average butterfat content. It is shorthaired and white or light cream color.
This is one of the most widely distributed dairy goat breeds in the world 68 countries for upgrading local goats to increase milk and meat production.
Toggenburg
The breed originated from Toggenburg valley of northeastern Switzerland. also called ”Alemu”. Toggenburg is one of the oldest Swiss breeds. it is medium in size. The weight of adult male buck is around 80 kg approx and the adult female weight is around 65 kg approx.
it is a dairy breed with short hair and forward erect ears. the breed performs better in a cold environment and gives a great amount of milk as a comparison to others. this breed is exported in at least 42 countries in the world to increase the milking quantity of indigenous breed.
Goat breeds worldwide
| Speciality | Breed | Country of origin | Climate | Enviorment |
| Meat | ||||
| Barbari | india | Tropical | Dry | |
| Banjiao | China | Subtropical | Humid | |
| Black Bengal | India | Tropical | Dry | |
| Black Bengal | Bangladesh | Tropical | Dry | |
| Boer | South Africa | Subtropical | Dry | |
| Bugri | Pakistan | Tropical | Dry | |
| Chengdu Ma | China | Subtropical | Humid | |
| Cutchi | India | Tropical | Dry | |
| Damani | Pakistan | Tropical | Dry | |
| Du An | China | Subtropical | Humid | |
| Fijian | Fiji | Tropical | Humid | |
| Fuquing | China | Subtropical | Humid | |
| Ganjam | India | Tropical | Dry | |
| Guizhou | China | Subtropical | Humid | |
| Haimen | China | Subtropical | Humid | |
| Huai | China | Subtropical | Humid | |
| Kaghani | Pakistan | Tropical | Dry | |
| Kail | Pakistan | Tropical | Dry | |
| Katjang | Indonesia | Tropical | Humid | |
| Kheri | Nepal | Subtropical | Humid | |
| Katukachchiya | Sri Lanka | Subtropical | Humid | |
| Lehri | Pakistan | Tropical | Dry | |
| Leizhou | china | Subtropical | Humid | |
| Longlin | China | Subtropical | Humid | |
| Ma ’ tou | China | Subtropical | Humid | |
| Marwari | India | Tropical | Humid | |
| Osmanabadi | India | Tropical | Humid | |
| Patteri | Pakistan | Tropical | Dry | |
| Sangamaneri | India | Tropical | Dry | |
| Shanzi White | China | Subtropical | Humid | |
| Sirohi | India | Tropical | Dry | |
| Sudan Desert | Sudan | Tropical | Very Dry | |
| Tapri | Pakistan | Tropical | Dry | |
| Terai | Netpal | Subtropical | Dry | |
| Milk | ||||
| Barbari | India | Tropical | Dry | |
| Beetal | India | Tropical | Dry | |
| Black Bedouin | Israel and Egypt | Tropical | Dry | |
| Damascus | Syria and Lebanon | subtropical | Dry | |
| Kamori | Pakistan | Tropical | Dry | |
| Jamunapari | India | Tropical | Dry | |
| Jakhrana | India | Tropical | Dry | |
| Malabari | India | Tropical | Humid | |
| Prolificacy | ||||
| Barbari | India | Tropical | Dry | |
| Boer | South Africa | Subtropical | Dry | |
| Black Bengal | India | Tropical | Dry | |
| Criollo | South America | Tropical | Dry | |
| Malabari | India | Tropical | Humid | |
| West African Dwarf | West Africa | Tropical | Humid | |
| Ma ’ tou | China | Subtropical | Humid | |
| Sudan Desert | Sudan | Tropical | Very Dry | |
| Pashmina (Cashmere) | ||||
| Gaddi | India | Mountain | Cold | |
| chegu | India | Mountain | Cold | |
| Singhal | Nepal | Mountain | Cold | |
| Chyangra | Nepal | Mountain | Cold | |
| Changathangi | India | Mountain | Cold | |
| Skins | ||||
| Black Bengal | India | Tropical | Dry | |
| Maradi (Red Sokoto) | Nigeria | Tropical | Humid | |
| Mubende | Uganda | Tropical | Humid |
5 Powerful Tips for breed selection
- Meat goat Breed have the highest output as compare to milk goat.
- choose that goat breed who gives twin kids in each gestation. to earn maximum profit.
- Usually, the goat breed should be chosen according to the region. for example, the survival chances of eastern region goat is less in the southern region. and mountain goats of the northern region will not survive in the southern or middle region.
- if you are planning to sale on festivals like Eid, Durga Puja and Christmas than go for big size goats. the big size goats like Jamunapari, beetal, Sirohi, etc. gives maximum profit.
- in starting the farm don’t go for the exotic breed. start with the indigenous breed.