In meat goats, the meat is especially tasty, satisfying and healthy. This product has dietary properties. Today, breeders are engaged in large-scale breeding of goats for meat production. Subject to all recommendations for a particular breed, this is a very profitable business.
General characteristics of meat breeds
A distinctive feature of meat goats is a rapid weight gain. Kids gain 500 g per day. The weight of adult males is under 100 kg, goats – 85 kg. Upon reaching the age of 8-12 months (depending on the breed) and the appropriate weight, the animals are slaughtered.
Characteristic features of meat goats:
- large body with well-developed muscles;
- strong back, rounded sides;
- compared to dairy goats, the udder is small;
- strong limbs capable of withstanding a large body;
- high fertility (up to 2-3 kids in a litter);
- unpretentiousness in care;
- stable immunity.
The meat is dietary, without a specific smell. Goat meat is especially useful in diseases of the blood, cardiovascular system and digestive tract.
Арабская
The goat is native to the Republic of Chad. This is an unpretentious animal in care and maintenance. The sparse vegetation along the roads and clean water are the basis of the daily diet of the representatives of the Arabian breed.
The main feature of this breed is a quick weight gain without compound feed and vitamin supplements. A kid at 8 days weighs 4 kg, and at 4 months already 12 kg. There are up to 2-3 cubs in the litter, which have stable immunity from birth.
Advantages:
- high rates of adaptation;
- fertility;
- meat productivity;
- strong immunity;
- monotonous diet.
Disadvantages:
- little information about the care of goats;
- high price.
Anatolian black
This is a Syrian type of goat native to Turkey. Animals have a straight posture, a hooked nose, drooping ears, long hair in black, brown, gray or variegated. Females are smaller – 45-65 kg, and a distinctive feature of goats is elongated spiral horns with a total weight of 70-90 kg.
Outwardly, goat meat is rich pink in color, it tastes like young lamb. There is no smell, the stiffness disappears after cooking the meat dish.
Advantages:
- frost resistance due to thick undercoat;
- good adaptability;
- high rates of milk production;
- disease resistance.
Disadvantages:
- the need for combing wool;
- specific smell from the animal;
- little information about the breeding of the breed.
assam hill
This is an Indian goat breed that can often be found in the hilly areas of Meghalaya. With low milk content, the animal is more often used in the meat direction. Goats at birth weigh only 1 kg, but quickly gain weight. The body weight of an adult male is 27 kg, females – up to 20 kg.
Outwardly, this is a short-legged animal with a long body and ears sticking out in opposite directions. Goats are short-haired, but with a thick undercoat, white or gray. Males have small horns and a short beard, goats are polled.
Advantages:
- external attractiveness;
- high fertility;
- strong immunity;
- ease of care and maintenance.
Disadvantages:
- low milk content;
- the difficulty of adapting to new conditions;
- high price.
Bangladeshi
Animals come from the country of Bangladesh. The second name is the Black Bengal goat. Characteristic features are a wide forehead, massive horns, a short body and low limbs. The animal is short-haired, black or dark brown.
Bangladeshi goats are being slaughtered. A kid is born with a body weight of 0,4 kg, but by 4-4,5 months it weighs 8-9 kg. Weight gain indicators are high, with proper care, fertility is also (up to 2 kids in a litter).
Advantages:
- compact size;
- does not require a large space for content;
- peaceful, balanced character;
- high meat productivity;
- strong immunity.
Disadvantages:
- low milk yield;
- risk of hoof injury;
- rare purchase in Russia.
White Andalusian (Blanca Celtibarica)
This Spanish white goat has an original appearance. On a small head are ears lowered down, which contrast with towering horns. The goat has a long body, slender legs, short white hair and a small tail.
Blanka Celtibarica (the second name of the breed) is distinguished by its impressive dimensions. The weight of a goat reaches 100 g, while the female weighs no more than 70 kg. The females have a well-developed maternal instinct, so the offspring is with the parent for up to 5 months. When the goats reach a weight of 25-30 kg, the young goats are resettled.
Advantages:
- quick weight gain of kids;
- majestic view;
- high fertility.
Disadvantages:
- low immunity of kids;
- risk of hoof injury;
- content features.
Boer breed
This is a South African breed with strong immunity. Outwardly, the animal is small in size, but stocky. The weight of goats reaches 135 kg, while females are smaller – no more than 100 kg.
Goats are attractive in appearance. They have a hooked nose, long floppy ears and very intelligent eyes. The coat is short, with brown spots on the head, neck and chest. By nature, goats are non-conflict, amenable to training. Boer females give birth three times in 2 years. The weight of kids is up to 4 kg, there is a rapid increase – 500 g per day. The meat is similar to veal, without a specific smell.
Advantages:
- high productivity;
- fast weight gain;
- strong immunity.
Disadvantages:
- risk of hoof injury;
- low fertility in the cold;
- poor adaptability.
East African
This dwarf goat breed is bred in such regions of Africa as Kenya, Zimbabwe, Uganda. Despite its compact size, the slaughter yield is 44%. Animals are slaughtered upon reaching a weight of 14 kg.
Distinctive features of the breed are unpretentiousness in care and feeding. Goats gain weight with poor feed. It is important to clarify the meat direction of the animals, since the yield of East African goats is low.
Advantages:
- good gain;
- quick adaptation;
- compactness;
- outward attraction.
Disadvantages:
- rare breeding in Russia;
- high price;
- intolerance to extreme cold.
Greek breed
Goats from the island of Crete are distinguished by a variety of colors, attractive external data. The animal has a massive body, a small head, horizontally set ears, strong limbs and a short tail. Goats are short-haired, grazing in the mountains and pasture.
The maximum weight of the animal reaches 60 kg. Fertility index – no more than 2 kids in a litter. The meat is light pink in color, reminiscent of young veal, without a specific smell and taste.
Advantages:
- unpretentiousness in care;
- attractive appearance;
- strong immunity;
- fertility.
Disadvantages:
- the difficulty of acquiring in Russia;
- expensive purchase;
- harm to agriculture (eating green spaces).
Guangzong white
These are Chinese meat goats with pointed ears and long horns. The animals have a straight head profile, a long body, slender legs and a short tail. Chinese goats are white, short haired.
The breed is grown for slaughter, has good growth rates. The weight of an adult goat is 33 kg, smaller goats – no more than 31 kg. Females are characterized by high fecundity, up to 2-4 kids in a litter.
Advantages:
- good growth;
- high fertility;
- disease resistance.
Disadvantages:
- breeding is possible only in subtropical areas;
- cold intolerance;
- risk of hoof injury.
Damara
The goat comes from Namibia and is distinguished by its original coloring. The animal looks attractive, he has a good-natured disposition. The ears are wide and hanging, set on the sides of the head. Small horns laid back, erect. There are up to 2 kids in a litter.
Goats were raised by local tribes, and their milk was considered a sign of wealth. The product has a unique taste, energy value, contains a large amount of protein.
Advantages:
- fertility;
- good growth;
- life expectancy (up to 15 years).
Disadvantages:
- cold intolerance;
- capriciousness in care;
- rare breeding.
Jalonka (West African pygmy)
These are African goats that are often seen on the way from Senegal to Zaire. Animals have a distinctive feature – brown color with a black stripe along the ridge. There are individuals tricolor and white, but these are rare.
Adult goats weigh from 24 to 29 kg, have low milk yields – up to 2 liters per week. Therefore, representatives of the breed are more likely to be slaughtered. The meat has a unique taste, without the specific smell of goat meat.
Advantages:
- resistance to trypanosomes;
- aesthetics of the breed;
- original color;
- unpretentious care.
Disadvantages:
- small milk yields;
- content complexity;
- risk of hoof injury.
duanskaya
Another Chinese breed, also known as the Maitreyan red goat. Animals quickly gain weight, active and cheerful, they bring 2-3 kids in the offspring. The meat is pale pink in color, the taste is pleasant, the structure is juicy, the composition is vitamin.
Duane goats have short hair in black, gray, variegated and brown, without bald patches. Animals have long ears set on the sides of the head, pointed horns of small size.
Advantages:
- fertility;
- good growth;
- no specific odor.
Disadvantages:
- complexity of adaptation;
- low milk yield;
- risk of morbidity in adults;
- weak immunity of goats.
Kannaiadu or kagan
This long haired goat is native to Pakistan and India. The animal has gray, black or brown hair, which is twisted into small cords and descends from the body. Kannaiadu has not only meat, but also wool direction (cashmere fibers).
The animal is regularly combed out, otherwise the risk of morbidity increases. The average weight of an adult is 32 kg.
Advantages:
- the rarity of the breed;
- quality wool;
- usefulness of the product;
- complaisant character.
Disadvantages:
- little information about the breeding of goats;
- the complexity of the purchase;
- specifics of daily care.
Criole
The breed first appeared in the Caribbean. This is the result of a long selection with a mediocre result – low milk yield, a small amount of meat and skins. Animals are beautiful in appearance. Goats have a straight profile, short ears and legs, and a long brown body. The coat is short, uniform without bald patches. The dominant suit is black.
Advantages:
- fertility;
- good adaptability;
- meat direction.
Disadvantages:
- mixed productivity;
- the rarity of the breed;
- high price.
Kalahari red goat breed
With an outward resemblance to the Boer breed, the Kalahari goats have their own distinctive features. Among them – the weight of a goat is up to 115 kg, a goat is not more than 70 kg. In addition to a good weight gain (400-600 g per day), pets give milk – up to 150 liters for the entire lactation period. Attention is also attracted by the proud profile and straight posture, rich brown coat.
Advantages:
- impressive external data;
- fast weight gain;
- high rates of milk production;
- meat productivity.
Disadvantages:
- content complexity;
- weak immunity of young animals;
- high price.
Breed Kiko
Goats are bred in New Zealand, in translation “kiko” means meat. The weight of adults is 60-70 kg. Goats are small in size, but have a massive body, well-developed muscles. The coat is short, brownish-brown.
The females of the Kiko breed have a well-developed maternal instinct. In a litter – up to 2-3 cubs. Babies quickly gain weight, are unpretentious in care and feeding. Goat meat is tender and juicy, used for cooking delicacies.
Advantages:
- compactness of individuals;
- frost resistance;
- stable immunity;
- rapid weight gain.
Disadvantages:
- capriciousness in feeding;
- little information about breeding;
- the difficulty of buying in Russia.
Longlin goats
These are Chinese pointy-eared goats, which are more common in the mountainous regions of the country. Animals are small in size, but are characterized by high fertility – 1-2 kid per litter. An adult male weighs 37 kg, a female – no more than 33 kg. She has a well-developed maternal instinct, and he is prone to defending his own territory.
Advantages:
- fertility;
- versatility of feeding;
- fast weight gain;
- fast acclimatization.
Disadvantages:
- intolerance to heat and dampness;
- the risk of morbidity;
- hoof injuries.
Matu (matou)
This is a Chinese goat breed native to Hubei province. These are representatives of the group of pointed-eared goats, which have an aesthetic appearance and docile character. Animals of white color, there are short-haired and long-haired varieties.
Matu has a good growth. Goats mature quickly, have a small amount of fat. The weight of an adult is 35 kg, the average annual fecundity is 1-2 kids.
Advantages:
- great growth energy;
- good fertility;
- average indicators of meat productivity;
- fatty, wholesome milk.
Disadvantages:
- the risk of morbidity;
- the rarity of the breed;
- high price.
Rove (ditch) – French meat breed
The French breed of goats was bred in the Marseille region. It has long been used as a source of meat. The popularity of goat meat in France was declining dynamically, so breeders continued to work on increasing milk productivity.
The colors of the animals are varied, but this should not make one doubt the purebred of the breed. It is not excluded the appearance of characteristic spotting on the body. A distinctive feature of the breed is long branched horns up to 1 m long. Goats weigh up to 90 kg, goats – up to 60 kg.
Advantages:
- meat yield from the carcass – up to 50%;
- food versatility;
- quick adaptation to a new place;
- stable immunity.
Disadvantages:
- may show aggression
- rare breeding in Russia.
Sokoto
Goats are native to Nigeria and are raised for slaughter. Meat is no longer a fan, but its usefulness is difficult to overestimate. Outwardly, the animal seems thin and tall, at the withers it reaches 65 cm. A goat weighs 40 kg, a goat – no more than 30 kg. In the litter – 1-2 kids with stable immunity. The color of the goat is brown or red.
Advantages:
- strong immunity;
- high rates of meat productivity;
- external attractiveness;
- complaisant character.
Disadvantages:
- complexity of care;
- features of feeding;
- risk of hoof injury;
- specific taste of meat.
Sudanese desert
The pet was bred in Sudan, joined the group of pygmy goats. The weight of adults is 30 kg. Outwardly, the goat is unattractive – short light gray hair, helical horns in males, a hooked nose and hanging ears.
Goats have low milk yields (up to 200 ml per day). Meat productivity is also low. Animal breeding is more appropriate in harsh climatic conditions, since goats tolerate cold, extreme heat, and wind well. Climate features do not affect their productivity in any way.
Advantages:
- endurance;
- strong immunity;
- quick adaptation to a new place.
Disadvantages:
- moderate fleshiness, milkiness;
- small size.
Stiefelgeiss goats
This is a rare breed from Switzerland, which is rarely seen in the agricultural lands of Russia. On the hooves there are characteristic marks that give the impression that the animal is shod.
There are long-haired and short-haired representatives of the breed, with and without a beard, in color – from beige to deep red. Goats have a large body, well-developed muscles, long and rounded back horns. The animal has a frightening appearance, but is actually kind, complaisant.
Meatiness is high. The weight of an adult male is up to 80 kg, females – about 65 kg. There is no more detailed information about the breed; moreover, Stiefelgeiss goats are on the verge of extinction.
Advantages:
- very tasty meat;
- large sizes;
- good adaptability.
Disadvantages:
- rare breed;
- the complexity of the purchase;
- lack of breeding information.
Heizari
This goat breed is native to Yemen and Saudi Arabia. Animals are small, long-haired, rich black in color with small horns and short ears. Outwardly, representatives of the breed are similar to Gulabi and Kamori.
Indicators of fleshiness – medium, milkiness – moderate. More detailed information about goats is not available. Many breeders do not consider Khizari a separate breed at all, they are convinced that this is one of the varieties of Pakistani or Indian goats.
Advantages:
- lack of smell in meat;
- outward attraction.
Disadvantages:
- lack of information about the breed;
- the difficulty of buying in Russia.
Comparative table of breeds
To illustrate the productivity of meat goats, below is an introductory table that will help beginner goat breeders quickly determine the breed for further breeding.
Comparative table of productivity of meat breeds
Порода
Вес самца, кг
Вес самки, кг
Приплод, шт.
Показатель мясной продуктивности
Бурская
135
100
2
высокий
Кико
70
55
2-3
высокий
Греческая
85
65
2
высокий
Анатолийская черная
90
65
1-2
средний
Нубийская
100
80
2-3
высокий
Сокото
40
30
1-2
средний
Роув
90
60
1-2
средний
Арабская
33
25
2-3
средний
Белая андалузская
100
70
1-2
высокий
Гуангзонгская белая
33
31
2-4
высокий
Лонглинская
37
33
1-2
средний
Калахарская красная
115
70
1-2
высокий
Мату
35
33
1-2
средний
Дамара
70
60
1-2
средний
Джалонка
29
25
1-2
средний
Каннаиаду
32
30
2-3
низкий
Ассам-хилл
27
20
2-4
низкий
Штифелгейсс
80
65
1-2
высокий
Суданская пустынная
30
27
1
низкий
Криоле
50
45
1-2
средний
Answers to popular questions
Inexperienced goat breeders often have questions related to goat breeding, below are the answers to the most popular ones.
- How to raise goats for meat? To get a lot of good quality meat, goats must graze daily and eat properly. Daily grazing not only reduces the consumption of compound feed, but also increases the immunity of animals and the nutritional value of their meat.
- How to prevent the appearance of an unpleasant smell in meat?To remove the specific smell of meat, it is recommended:
- Castrate males at the age of 3-4 months. Castration before or during slaughter also improves the quality of goat meat.
- A month before slaughter, feed with cereals.
- Stop walking for 30 days.
- Slaughter animals on a frosty day.
- Before slaughter, do not feed the goats, but give them only water.
- Is it profitable to breed goats for meat in Russia?Thanks to new, highly productive meat breeds, goat breeding has become a profitable business, and goat meat has become a sought-after food product.
When choosing a meat breed of goats for breeding, read the detailed characteristics of each. With the right approach, this troublesome, but very interesting activity can bring solid profits.
